Change Rebels: Recent Episodes

Change Rebels

A podcast about change and changemaking at the frontline of youth, peace and security.

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This is the 13th episode of the Change Rebels podcast with Emelie Weski. 

In Nigeria protests are few and from what we have seen this year, deadly. The young Nigerians who took to the streets of Lagos this October were met by sharp ammunition and a coordinated power outage. Still they call for an end to police brutality and voter turnout to the 2023 election. What is happening in Nigeria and why now? Tune in to listen to a fellow youth activist and radio-broadcaster: Chiagozie Udeh. Chiagozie has been a radio host at Afro Radio Network letting Africans tell their own stories in their own ways and student radio Unizik 94.1FM (Blazing The Trail). He is today the Global Focal Point for SDG7 at the UNMGCY.

In this episode:

EndSars #EndSWAT #Youth4Peace #ungdomsrörelsen #ungsäk #Nigeria #Africa #Protests #Activism #covid19 #joebiden #BokoHaram #children #youth

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In honor of all the LGBTQI-activists out there and to raise attention for Trans Day of Remembrance 2020 we have a special recording circling in on the escalating events in Poland.

In the 12th episode of the Change Rebels podcast we are talking to twitter queen and outspoken trans activist Maja Heban about the increasing religious crack downs on LGBTQ rights in Poland. As democracy rapidly retreats in parts of Europe young activists live in fear of their lives in a country where people have gotten stuck in-between a Poland which no longer fulfil its obligations under article 7 of EU’s shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights and an EU that fails to respond to the crack down of institutional justice . We speak with Maja Heban, trans, queer and youth activist. #TDoR2020

Follow Maja Heban on Twitter by clicking here: twitter.com/hebanmaja

A big thank you to the Polish feminist punk band SIKSA that let us play one of their recent songs in support of the LGBTQ+ community's protests in August. "Proste hasło" by SIKSA www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO_eR06Bw7g

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In the 11th episode of the Change Rebels podcast we are talking leadership and changemaking at the UN level. This is a so called “how to” make a change in global peace and security policy as a young leader. And we tackle some big questions, such as: what are the greatest challenges facing our generation in peace and security today? And we talk about their most memorable memories of changemaking as elected representatives of the Swedish youth movement to the UN. Sofia Brännström Swedish youth representative to the UN high level political forum, and Louise Burenby, Swedish youth representative to the UN General Assembly’s third committee. It is an inspiring conversation that hits just at the heart of young people’s struggles today.

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This is the 10th episode of the Change Rebels podcast and we are speaking about the latest trends and research on youth and democratic participation. 2019 was noted as the worst year for democracy globally, and the Global Peace Index fell again for the 9th time in 12 years. At the same time there are clear directions coming from the UN’s secretary general: “prevention, including that of violent conflict, is a priority. The active engagement of young women and men can make a critical difference in averting violence and war. This should be recognised, supported and promoted as a critical precondition for the success of efforts to build enduring peace.” Our guest is Jana Birke Belschner, PhD Degree at the University of Bergen, whom just this August had her dissertation defence. Jana explains to us what science knows about youth and democracy and why we should be invested in the political inclusion of youth.

The Change Rebels podcast is a podcast about change & changemaking at the frontline of peace and security. Podcast host: Emelie Weski

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This is the 9th episode of the Change Rebels podcast, the podcast about change and changemaking in youth, peace and security.

We find out what decolonising peace in Asia means and why it is especially important as the UN celebrates its 75th anniversary.

We speak to peace builder and activist Regine Borja Guevara.

Guevara deconstructs peace for us and put it into four dimensions: history, culture, global vs. regional and off course age. We find out why military tanks are driving on the streets in the Philippines since covid-19. How decolonisation of peace can help us understand freedom fighters and the fight for independence. And take a in depth look at the UN system and the challenges of peace programming together with ‘the locals’.

She describes herself as an Activist in style and a Young, Woman, Asian Philanthropist. She represents the South South Council for Sustainable Development - SSCC, is a UN Representative to the Committee for ASEAN Youth Cooperation and a Conflict and disaster expert at the Youth Advisory Board to the United Nations in the Philippines.

Also watch the live event “Youth4Peace in the Better Normal: Towards Local, Regional and decolonial approaches on youth, peace and security” organized by Regine Borja Guevara on International Peace Day on 21st of September. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1J1TgCnLik

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Whether you are a social media activist who rather do your activism from the sofa, or whether you simply have too much to do and too little time to do it: this is the episode for you!

We boil down the last three episodes into one so that even if you are feeling lazy or rushed you can still take a moment to find out what the fuck is happening in Syria.

This is the Lazy edition of the Change Rebels podcast. The podcast that brings you stories from the changemakers at the frontline of youth, peace and security. You will get 15 minutes’ summaries of this week’s three interviews.

First we discuss Swedish foreign policy and Swedish youth in Syria and refugees fleeing Syria. Our guest is a youth activist turned minister of foreign affairs: Ann Linde, the minister of foreign affairs in Sweden (for the full transcript translated into English click here, and to skip her Ann Lindes interview in Swedish skip ahead to 17:56). Then we meet with the president of the Youth League of the Green Party in Sweden, Aida Badeli. She is calling for a change of direction to green policy and amendments to the framework of the rights of asylum. Finally, Juliette Touma, the Regional Chief of Communications for the MENA-region at UNICEF speaks on the youth, peace and security situation in Syria, and the Al Hol camp that detains 65.000 IS-children.

What hope should young Syrian peace builders and refugees have after 10 years of violent war?

CAL FOR HELP! LSU, the national council of Swedish youth organisations, has had a sister relationship with RADA for many years. They are united in a global partnership, including eight countries. Together they are fighting shrinking space, building leadership capacity, and supporting one another financially and organically. Since the escalating events in Belarus we watch an emergency develop in Belarus. Our existing funds are not enough and cannot be used for this purpose - but now they are in urgent need of OUR SUPPORT.

If you would like to support RADA, you can swish to LSU's number, and mark your deposit with RADA. On all RADA-marked deposits, the money goes to them in full.

Swish: 123 690 58 48 (only for Swedish citizens)

Contact us at info@changerebels.org for bank transfers.

For more information go to LSU’s webpage www.lsu.se

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In the 7th episode of the Change Rebels podcast we get closer to the situation in Syria, as its entering its 10th year of war. What does the reality for children and youth look like here?

We take on some difficult questions: What does it means to take special consideration to age in humanitarian assistance programming What is happening to the IS-fighters and their children in the Al Hol camp? And, we find out if young peace builders in Syria should carry any hope?We speak with peacebuilder and children’s rights activist Juliette Tuoma based in Amman, Jordan. Touma is the Regional Chief of Communications for the MENA region (the Middle East and North Africa Region) at the office of UNICEF, the United Nations Children Fund.


The Change Rebels podcast is a podcast about change and changemaking on the frontline of youth, peace and security.

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In the 6th episode of the Change Rebels podcast we talk about climate activism and what climate has to do with peace and security.

Millions of young people has joined, what is know as, the Fridays for future protests. Together with the youth movement they have succeeded in bringing climate action to the top of the political agenda. Their front figure 16 year old Greta Thunberg has been compared to a modern day Joan of Arc. But as a climate activist and as a youth activist you should expected to receive threats and hate.

Even from the president of the United States.

In this episode we meet Aida Badeli, president of the Green Party Youth League in Sweden. We talk about the ways youth has contributed to climate action and brought green policy to the top of the political agenda globally. Aida gives useful advice on what it takes to change the world and cope with the challenges that comes with being an activist. And we discuss the future of green leadership. Who will be the next leader of the greens?


The Change Rebels podcast is a podcast about change and changemaking. We bring you stories from the frontline of youth, peace and security.

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In a fresh episode of the Change Rebels podcast we discuss change with the minister of foreign affairs in Sweden.

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The 5th episode of the Change Rebels podcast we are discussing changemaking with the minister of foreign affairs in Sweden. Ann Linde started her political career as a youth activist herself, fighting for democracy in Belarus. In this special episode we get an exclusive interview and cover topics such as: the pandemic’s impact on foreign affairs, Sweden’s priorities in youth, peace and security; multilateral mechanisms for driving democracy in Europe; syrian refugees and swedish children in Syria. Finally you get 3 reasons WHY your background as a youth activist really matters!

This is the Change Rebels podcast! The podcast that brings you stories from the changemakers at the frontline of youth, peace and security.

/A full transcript of the interview IN ENGLISH is available at www.changerebels.org/

/Interview in Swedish/

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Whether you are a social media activist who rather do your activism from the sofa, or whether you simply have too much to do and too little time to do it: this is the episode for you!

We boil down the last three episodes into one so that even if you are feeling lazy or rushed you can still take a moment to find out what the fuck is happening in Belarus.

This is a special edition of the Change Rebels podcast. The podcast that brings you stories from the changemakers at the frontline of youth, peace and security. You will get 15 minutes’ summaries of this week’s three interviews. First we discuss massarrests and the call for change by protesters in Belarus with activists and changemakers on the ground. Dzmitry Heryovich chairperson, and Lavon Marozo, international secretary of RADA, the youth council in Belarus. Then we meet with the president of the Youth League of the Swedish Liberal political party, Romina Pourmokhtari, who are calling for European support to Belarus. Finally, Frank Berglund, vice president of RFSL - The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights - introduces us to the interlink between LGBTQI rights, gender and authoritarian regimes.

CAL FOR HELP!

LSU, the national council of Swedish youth organisations, has had a sister relationship with RADA for many years. They are united in a global partnership, including eight countries. Together they are fighting shrinking space, building leadership capacity, and supporting one another financially and organically. Since the escalating events in Belarus we watch an emergency develop in Belarus. Our existing funds are not enough and cannot be used for this purpose - but now they are in urgent need of OUR SUPPORT.

If you would like to support RADA, you can swish to LSU's number, and mark your deposit with RADA. On all RADA-marked deposits, the money goes to them in full.

Swish: 123 690 58 48

(only for Swedish citizens)

For more information go to LSU’s webpage.

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Trailer: Change Rebels by Change Rebels

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This is the 3rd episode of the Change Rebels podcast! The podcast that brings you stories from the changemakers at the frontline of youth, peace and security.

In the studio, a LGBTQI activist fighting for peace and security in the wake of authoritative extremist Europe. Frank Berglund, Vice President in The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights.

As events are escalating in Belarus this is our third episode covering the developments. We discuss the state of human rights in Belarus and ask; what does LGBTQI rights have to do with security? Frank also shares his own personal experience encountering the neo-nazi movement in Sweden, the so called Nordic Resistance Movement.

CALL FOR HELP! LSU, the national council of Swedish youth organisations, has had a sister relationship with RADA for many years. They are united in a global partnership, including eight countries. Together they are fighting shrinking space, building leadership capacity, and supporting one another financially and organically. Since the escalating events in Belarus we watch an emergency develop in Belarus. Our existing funds are not enough and cannot be used for this purpose - but now they are in urgent need of OUR SUPPORT.

If you would like to support RADA, you can swish to LSU's number, and mark your deposit with RADA. On all RADA-marked deposits, the money goes to them in full.

Swish: 123 690 58 48

(only for Swedish citizens)

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This is the 2nd episode of the Change Rebels podcast! The podcast that brings you stories from the changemakers at the frontline of youth, peace and security.

In this episode we interview a youth leader who have spoken out against nationalistic tendencies in her own party and called for political support to the democratic fight in Belarus. The president of the Liberal Youth Leauge in Sweden: Romina Pourmokhtari.

We talk different liberal interpretations of security, and what it means to be a youth activist for democracy in your own political party.

CALL FOR HELP!

LSU, the national council of Swedish youth organisations, has had a sister relationship with RADA for many years. They are united in a global partnership, including eight countries. Together they are fighting shrinking space, building leadership capacity, and supporting one another financially and organically. Since the escalating events in Belarus we watch an emergency develop in Belarus. Our existing funds are not enough and cannot be used for this purpose - but now they are in urgent need of OUR SUPPORT.

If you would like to support RADA, you can swish to LSU's number, and mark your deposit with RADA. On all RADA-marked deposits, the money goes to them in full.

Swish: 123 690 58 48

(only for Swedish citizens)

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Changemakers, peacebuilders, human rights defenders and youth activists, to all of you who are listening: a very warm welcome! This is the first episode EVER of the Change Rebels podcast! The podcast that brings you stories from the changemakers at the frontline of youth, peace and security.

This episode we are talking about mass-arrests and a possible change of regime in Belarus with two outspoken youth activists on KGB’s black list.

Two questions are on the agenda: How are the events in Belarus connected to young people’s security and what is the government doing to undermine youth who are organizing for a change in Belarus.

With us are youth activists Dzmitry Heryovich chairperson, and Lavon Marozo, international secretary of RADA - Belarus national youth council. Listen in to get some insight to how you can support their drive for democracy in Belarus.

Recorded on August 12, 2020.