So, now what?
So, now what?

So, now what?

Gates Cambridge

Overview
Episodes

Details

Fed up with bad news story after bad news story? So, now what? is the podcast from Gates Cambridge, a cutting-edge scholarship programme for international postgraduates at the University of Cambridge. The podcast is for anyone looking for ideas, vision and optimism about how we can practically tackle some of the world's most complex and challenging problems. Scholars from a range of different backgrounds and disciplines will share the actions they are taking to change the world for the better.

Recent Episodes

How can we improve healthcare for all
AUG 27, 2024
How can we improve healthcare for all

We discuss the need to make healthcare better for all, focusing on issues such as gender inequality, mental health, and access to medicine and highlighting the importance of investing in women's health and the role of grassroots organisations in advocating for change. The potential of AI in improving healthcare is also explored, with a focus on care robots and the democratisation of information. The conversation also addresses the inequitable access to drug treatments and the need for public-private partnerships. The guests provide silver buckshot solutions, including economic policies, challenging social norms, and asking critical questions.

Takeaways

  • Investing in women's health is not only a medical and humanitarian imperative but also makes economic, social, political, and climate sense.
  • AI has the potential to improve healthcare by assisting carers, providing reminders for medication, and democratizing information, but caution is needed to ensure safety and quality.
  • Equitable access to drug treatments requires public health approaches, government action, and citizen engagement to hold corporations accountable.
  • Improving healthcare for all requires addressing social norms, investing in grassroots organizations, and challenging economic policies that perpetuate inequality.
  • Asking critical questions, such as why rich countries are rich and why pre-industrial variables continue to cause inequality, is essential for driving change.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Setting the Context

05:31

Gender Inequality in Healthcare

08:26

The Potential of AI in Healthcare

22:11

Equitable Access to Drug Treatments

25:44

Investing in Women's Health

28:28

AI and Grassroots Organizations

32:20

Challenging Economic Policies

34:17

Asking Critical Questions

35:42

So, now what? And Season Wrap-up

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36 MIN
The power of culture in peacebuilding
JUL 30, 2024
The power of culture in peacebuilding

The conversation explores the role of culture in peacebuilding and the need to challenge narratives of conflict and division. The guests discuss their experiences in conflict-affected regions and the importance of empathy, healing, and resilience in creating cultures of peace. They highlight the need for education systems to promote peace and inclusion, and the importance of dismantling oppressive narratives and amplifying the voices of marginalised communities. The conversation concludes with a call to action to reform education, support cultural workers, and create spaces for dialogue and understanding.

Takeaways

  • Culture plays a crucial role in peacebuilding and can challenge narratives of conflict and division.
  • Empathy, healing, and resilience are essential in creating cultures of peace.
  • Education systems should promote peace, inclusion, and critical thinking to challenge oppressive narratives.
  • It is important to amplify the voices of marginalised communities and provide spaces for dialogue and understanding.
  • Dismantling oppressive narratives and supporting cultural workers are key steps in creating a more peaceful world.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

08:17 The impact of conflict on culture

11:31 Witnessing violence and building peace

16:39 Challenging conflict-based worldviews

20:59 Weaponisation of culture and fighting back

24:47 Erasure of culture and missing voices

27:14 Measuring success in peacebuilding

31:28 Creating cultures of empathy and Ubuntu

36:39 Reforming education for peace and inclusion

38:55 Dismantling oppressive narratives

41:43 Amplifying marginalised voices

44:32 Supporting cultural workers

45:27 Conclusion

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45 MIN
Navigating political legitimacy in a polarised world
JUN 25, 2024
Navigating political legitimacy in a polarised world

The episode explores the topic of political legitimacy in a polarized world. The guests discuss the psychological and cognitive components of political beliefs, the impact of polarization on journalism, and the importance of understanding the perspectives of people on the ground. They emphasize the need for flexible thinking, reevaluating our own dogmas, and engaging in meaningful conversations with others. Practical actions include supporting reliable news organizations, encountering different cultures through literature and media, and rethinking our own biases.

Takeaways

  • Political legitimacy is not just a sociological or political issue, but also has psychological and cognitive components.
  • Polarization poses challenges to journalism, and it is important to support news organizations that provide reliable information.
  • Engaging with people on the ground and encountering different perspectives can lead to a better understanding of political legitimacy.
  • Flexible thinking is crucial in navigating a polarized world and reevaluating our own dogmas.
  • Practical actions include supporting reliable news organizations, encountering different cultures through literature and media, and rethinking our own biases.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction: The Challenge of Political Legitimacy in a Polarized World

05:04

Understanding the Psychological and Cognitive Components of Political Legitimacy

11:16

The Impact of Polarization on Journalism and the Media Environment

15:59

Engaging with People on the Ground to Understand Political Legitimacy

29:48

Practical Actions to Strengthen Political Legitimacy

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36 MIN