If You Were In Charge

Hospitals in Iran are preparing to evacuate children. International institutions are issuing statements while bombs fall on petrochemical plants. And five women sit down in Berlin to ask: what radical ideas should actually be common sense? This episode of If You Were In Charge opens with hosts Sanam Naraghi Anderlini and Kavita Ramdas in conversation about the Iran crisis. Trump’s threats of escalation, the spectre of nuclear disaster, and the devastating parallel with Gaza. They ask the question that frames the whole episode: have the institutions built by generations of careful, caring work, the UN, the IAEA, international law has finally failed us? Then the episode moves to Berlin, where Sanam and Kavita are joined by three extraordinary guests for a live group conversation recorded at the Robert Bosch Foundation Forum: Farhana Yamin — World-renowned climate lawyer. Attended COP 1 in Berlin in 1995. Now working on global governance and philanthropy for frontline communities. Reetta Toivanen — Finnish legal anthropologist and Professor at the University of Helsinki. Researches refugee knowledge and just transition in Europe. Rana Dajani — Palestinian-Syrian professor of molecular cell biology. Researches the epigenetics of trauma. Founded We Love Reading, now in 78 countries. Together, they tackle: abolishing national borders, valuing care work, why trauma survivors inherit agency (not victimhood), diaspora economies that outperform foreign aid, AI that can’t tell a scientist from a nun, and what it really means to put feminists—of every gender—in charge. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by ICAN⁠ ⁠⁠⁠International Civil Society Action Network⁠⁠⁠⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠⁠⁠⁠ADA Production⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean when the world's largest progressive Jewish organisation says "not in our name"? This week, Sanam and Kavita sit down with Stefanie Fox, Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), to explore the growing movement of Jewish anti-Zionism in America and beyond. Stefanie walks us through how JVP now three times the size it was three years ago is organising hundreds of thousands of Jews to withdraw their complicity from Israeli apartheid and genocide through boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns, Israel bonds divestment at city and state level, and deep cultural work reclaiming Judaism beyond Zionism. From the mechanics of how American taxpayer money flows to the Israeli treasury, to the personal cost of leading a movement under legal attack and White House scrutiny, Stefanie offers a clear-eyed, hopeful account of what collective organising can achieve and why refusing the politics of despair is itself an act of resistance. We are also joined by Sanams daughter Soleh joins us from Cambridge. Where she gives her view on JVP and their role in the student protests over Gaza. If You Were In Charge is a radical leadership podcast about people, power, and possibilities, hosted by Sanam Naraghi Anderlini and Kavita Nandini Ramdas. Brought to you by ICAN. An ADA Production. Guest: Stefanie Fox, Executive Director, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Links: Jewish Voice for Peace Wrestling with Zionism storytelling project If You Were In Charge If You Were In Charge is brought to you by ICAN⁠ ⁠⁠⁠International Civil Society Action Network⁠⁠⁠⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠⁠⁠⁠ADA Production⁠ TIMESTAMPED CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 – 00:33 | Cold Open 00:33 – 01:27 | Intro & Welcome Sanam introduces the episode. Soleh joins from Cambridge. 01:27 – 02:16 | How they got Stefanie 02:16 – 04:36 | Soleh on JVP's cultural impact Separating anti-Zionism from anti-Semitism. 04:36 – 06:28 | JVP's statement on the war on Iran 06:28 – 08:50 | Asymmetric warfare If Iran survives, it's winning. The logic of escalation on all sides. 08:50 – 09:40 | Iran's opposition & the monarchists Both regime and opposition willing to sacrifice the nation. Reza Pahlavi's MAGA-style approach. 09:40 – 11:04 | Global ripple effects Gas shortages in India, Sri Lanka rationing, Pakistan's crisis — the war's worldwide impact. 11:04 – 13:31 | Geography & supply chains Soleh's generation discovering the Strait of Hormuz. 13:31 – 14:13 | Language & culture 14:13 – 15:43 | Happy Nowruz 15:43 – 16:35 | Human cost of targeted killings Larijani's assassination and 100+ civilian deaths. 16:35 – 17:17 | Transition to interview Stefanie welcomed on. 17:17 – 20:07 | Who is JVP? World's largest progressive Jewish org for Palestinian rights. 100+ chapters. Three times the size it was three years ago. 20:07 – 21:05 | Growth amid horror More grassroots power than ever, yet the genocide continues. 21:05 – 23:45 | What is Zionism? Why anti-Zionism? Zionism as political ideology leading to expulsion and ethnostate. True safety through solidarity. 23:45 – 26:23 | Self-censorship & the anti-Semitism smear Sanam on 20 years of self-censorship in America. South Africa parallel. 26:23 – 28:42 | JVP's day-to-day work Three pillars: political, financial, cultural. BDS campaigns and Israel bonds divestment. 27:38 – 30:27 | Israel bonds explained 30:27 – 32:20 | BDS-proofing the economy How Israel uses bonds to underwrite the war economy. Public opinion shifting. 32:20 – 34:31 | Complicity & tax resistance Nuremberg tribunals, aiding and abetting through taxes. BDS as collective action. 35:03 – 39:50 | Culture shift Anti-Zionist Jews since the 19th century. Identity fusion only since 1967. Wrestling with Zionism project. 39:58 – 42:54 | Sanam on Iranian Jews & identity Iran's Jewish community. Being labelled anti-Semitic in America for criticising Israel. 42:54 – 44:44 | Anti-Semitism & Zionism as "cousins" Montague and the Balfour Declaration. Both ideologies rooted in Western nation-state building. 44:44 – 47:17 | Threats, lawsuits & Project Esther Five active lawsuits. Named in Project Esther. On a White House list. 47:17 – 48:46 | Q: Radical idea that should be normal? 47:59 – 49:56 | Q: If you were in charge of US policy? Full divestment, end US funding of Israel, invest in life-sustaining programmes. 50:02 – 51:13 | Q: Billionaire / What gives you hope? No billionaires. Hope = organising and refusing the politics of despair. 51:13 – 53:50 | Tangible wins $30 million divested from Israel bonds in the last month. Mamdani's election. 53:50 – 58:41 | If you were in charge of the media Manufacturing consent. The debunked NY Times piece. Passive voice on Gaza vs. Ukraine. Assassinated Palestinian journalists. 58:41 – 59:32 | Closing "Hope is great, but it's the strategy that really matters." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We begin with Sanam and Kavita discussing the war in Iran. Sanam shares what she is hearing from inside Iran as US and Israeli forces continue to strike across the country. Reflecting on the school strike, the sinking of a naval vessel by a US submarine, and the election of a new Supreme Leader. She considers where this chaos and violence may ultimately lead. Sanam and Kavita then sit down with Maya and Nancy Yamout, two extraordinary sisters from Lebanon who understand better than most the long-term consequences of war, extremism, and violence. Maya and Nancy Yamout are forensic social workers renowned for their deradicalisation work targeting Islamist extremists within Lebanon's prison system. Following the death of a mutual friend who had joined an extremist group, they co-founded the non-governmental organisation Rescue Me in 2011, focusing on rehabilitating at-risk youth and inmates. This conversation explores the complex world of countering extremism through personal testimony, rehabilitation, and community rebuilding in Lebanon. Maya and Nancy share their experiences working inside prisons, navigating family dynamics, and fostering empathy as a tool to prevent violence. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by ICAN⁠ ⁠⁠International Civil Society Action Network⁠⁠⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠⁠⁠ADA Production⁠ If You Were In Charge Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A world leader has been assassinated, schools and hospitals have been hit, and Donald Trump thinks that Keir Starmer is no Winston Churchill. It’s all kicking off as the US and Israel’s illegal war escalates across the Middle East. All of this with the open admission of no real plan for what comes next. Struggling to absorb it all? Wondering if there’s another way? British-Iranian peace strategist Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE is here to fill us in. She joins Coco and comedian Sophie Duker, who is in the hotseat for Nish this week. Soaring oil prices was not the backdrop Chancellor Rachel Reeves was hoping for ahead of her second Spring Statement. Finalised before the conflict broke out, her economic plan was “Trumped” before it was even delivered - so where does this leave the UK? Plus - just as the UK gets dragged into this latest destabilising conflict, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood rips up the rules on UK asylum. Got a burning question for Nish or Coco? Big or small - they will be answered in a special episode! Email: [email protected] GUEST Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE, founder and CEO of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) USEFUL LINKS Sophie Dukerhttps://thesophieduker.com/ If You Were In Charge with Sanam Naraghi Anderlini and Kavita Nandini Ramdas.https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/if-you-were-in-charge/id1770618616 CREDITS Sophie Duker - Live at the Apollo / BBC One Keir Starmer / XParliament TV PBS News Hour / YouTubeBBC News Zoe Gardner / IGManchester Evening News Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.Get in touch - contact us via email: [email protected] and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUKInstagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukX: https://x.com/podsavetheuk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to a new season of If You Were in Charge. This week, we sit down with Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, who has built a life creating an ice cream empire while also becoming a passionate activist fighting against military spending, which he believes is irrational and immoral, and is used to keep ordinary people poor and oppressed. We explore his journey from ice cream to activism, and his unwavering belief in the power of collective action. This episode also features Sanam’s daughter, Soleh. Together, they discuss the ongoing Epstein fallout and why it is cutting through the media noise, Marco Rubio’s imperialist speech in Munich, and Iran—along with what America is going to do next. That's this week on If You Were in Charge, the radical leadership podcast about people, power, and possibilities, hosted by Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, founder of ICAN and a peace strategist who has worked with women in conflict zones for over thirty years, and co-host Kavita Nandini Ramdas, senior advisor to the International Planned Parenthood Federation and former head of the Global Fund for Women. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by ICAN⁠ ⁠International Civil Society Action Network⁠⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠⁠ADA Production key topics Ben Cohen's background and activism journey The role of business in social justice Campaign against militarism and Pentagon budget Ben and Jerry's stance on Gaza and Palestine Corporate social responsibility and social mission The importance of collective action and community engagement The influence of personal values on business decisions Strategies for engaging the public on social issues The intersection of peacebuilding and business Inspiration for young activists and entrepreneurs Chapters 00:00 Health Care vs. Militarism 01:50 Public Outrage: Epstein vs. Gaza 04:44 The Role of Youth in Activism 06:44 Political Extremism and Identity 08:50 The Absurdity of Militarism 13:02 Ben Cohen: Activism and Ice Cream 14:29 The Origins of Ben and Jerry's 15:13 Childhood Aversion to Militarism 17:42 Economic Violence and Lead Poisoning 20:57 Connecting Militarism to Everyday Issues 24:59 Human Security vs. National Security 25:26 Activism and Business: A Dual Role 30:44 The Game of Business and Social Responsibility 33:45 Innovative Financing and Community Engagement 35:10 The Balance of Wealth and Fulfillment 37:12 Corporate Responsibility and Social Justice 38:21 Ben & Jerry's Social Mission and Unilever 40:41 Political Stance and Corporate Complicity 42:43 Hope Amidst Outrage and Activism 47:01 Vision for a Better World 49:39 People Power and Collective Mobilization 51:32 Cultural Connections Through Ice Cream Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to a new season of If You Were in Charge The radical leadership podcast about people, power & possibilities from ICAN and ADA is excited to announce a new co-host! Kavita Nandini Ramdas, senior advisor to the International Planned Parenthood Federation and former head of the Global Fund for Women, joins host Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, founder of ICAN and a peace strategist who has worked with women in conflict zones for over thirty years. Sanam and Kavita represent voices rarely heard in podcasting. Two powerful advocates for peace and social justice, women leaders with roots in India and Iran, who have built careers as global citizens at the highest levels. Launching officially Tuesday February 24th! Welcoming an extraordinary range of guests including… Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh on advocating for survivors of sexual violence in war Ben Cohen, peace activist & founder of ‘Ben & Jerry’s’ on his battle with the Pentagon Alex Crawford, celebrated foreign correspondent, on this moment of global uncertainty If You Were In Charge is brought to you by ICAN⁠ International Civil Society Action Network⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠ADA Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sanam Naraghi Anderlini and Kavita Ramdas offer a feminist take on the pervasive issues of misogyny, the culture of impunity surrounding powerful men, and the systemic exclusion of women from influential spaces. The implications of the Epstein case, the normalization of sexual exploitation, and the backlash against feminism. The dialogue emphasizes the need for accountability and the importance of recognizing the voices of women in power dynamics, while also highlighting the hope that exists amidst the darkness of these societal issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If You Were In Charge In this special edition, Sanam Naraghi Anderlini and new co-host Kavita Ramdas take an incisive look at the current crisis in Iran, where economic collapse, renewed protests, and a brutal government crackdown have converged into a pivotal moment for the nation. Sanam examines the latest developments and the historical roots of dissent, including her own family’s history as key actors in 20th-century Iran. Kavita and Sanam also discuss the resurgence of women as visible leaders of resistance, and the complex interplay of sanctions, politics, and social change. Through deep analysis and personal testimony, the conversation explores why peaceful dialogue and inclusive solutions are essential, and how the resilience of the Iranian people could help shape a future beyond despair. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by ICAN⁠ International Civil Society Action Network⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠ADA Production⁠ ICAN’s newsletter: ⁠https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ 00:00 Introduction to the Conversation on Iran 02:59 Understanding the Current Unrest in Iran 05:57 Historical Context: The Roots of Iranian Resistance 09:04 The Role of Women in the Protests 11:56 Economic Factors Behind the Protests 15:02 The Impact of Sanctions on Iranian Society 17:59 The Complexity of the Iranian Regime 20:46 The Need for Dialogue and Non-Violence 23:55 Imagining a Future for Iran 26:55 Hope Amidst the Struggle 30:09 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to our special “If You Were in Charge” summer series with Sanam Naraghi Anderlini. Each week, we’re thematically pairing some of our favorite conversations and this time, we’ve brought together two powerful voices on wealth and generosity. First, filmmaker and activist Abby Disney shares what it was like to grow up as an heiress to the Disney fortune, and why she’s urging the ultra-wealthy to give more, and give boldly. Then, Chris Worman from Giving Tuesday explores how philanthropy can be reclaimed by ordinary people as a force for good, personal fulfillment, and even joy. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the⁠ ⁠⁠Bjian Ghaisar Foundation⁠ And ICAN⁠ International Civil Society Action Network⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠Africa Digital Audio Production⁠ ICAN’s newsletter: ⁠https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Chapters 00:00 Exploring Wealth Inequality and Philanthropy 07:27 The Impact of Extreme Capitalism 12:05 Fundamentalist Capitalism and Its Consequences 17:50 Political Power and Wealth Dynamics 25:28 Racial Justice and Economic Inequality 32:06 Philanthropy vs. Systemic Change 45:25 The Role of Civil Society in Crisis 57:06 Building Local Infrastructure for Generosity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we gear up for Season 3 of If You Were in Charge, we’re revisiting some of Sanam’s most compelling conversations, curated into thematic pairings to offer deeper insights into the complex issues we explore. This week, we bring you two powerful perspectives on building peace between Israelis and Palestinians—even in these dark and challenging times. First, Sanam speaks with Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger about the surge in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. They discuss the urgent need for lasting peace and the difficult path to achieving it. Then, she sits down with Mohammad Darawshe, a leading political analyst and expert on Jewish-Arab relations inside Israel. Darawshe unpacks the intricate realities of coexistence, the struggles faced by Palestinian citizens, and the transformative power of education in forging a shared future. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network You can find out more information or how to get in touch following the link to our homepage - https://shows.acast.com/if-you-were-in-charge Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sir Richard Dalton, former British ambassador to Iran, joins Sanam Naraghi Anderlini on this week's episode of If You Were In Charge. They discuss the collapse of diplomacy following recent U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, examining how Trump's withdrawal from the JCPOA, Netanyahu's hardline policies, and the Ayatollah's defiance have escalated regional tensions. Dalton argues that without renewed multilateral engagement, lasting peace will remain elusive, criticizing Britain's failure to lead in condemning Gaza atrocities. Despite these challenges, he maintains that dialogue and diplomacy offer the best path toward a collective future. As Iran is Sanam's childhood home, she also speaks with her daughter Soleh before and after the main interview, both to hear how Soleh's college community has responded to recent events and to reflect on loved ones directly impacted by the conflict in Iran, as well as those watching from afar. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the⁠ ⁠⁠Bjian Ghaisar Foundation⁠ And ICAN⁠ International Civil Society Action Network⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠Africa Digital Audio Production⁠ ICAN’s newsletter: ⁠https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A personal reflection from Sanam on two weeks of war in Iran. What it is like watching the bombardment of her childhood neighborhood from afar. — We also wanted to celebrate our former guests, Women of the Sun from Palestine, who won the 2025 Vigdís Prize for Women’s Empowerment. So we re-uploaded our conversation with Marwa Hammad of Women of the Sun in Palestine and Yael Braudo-Bahat of Women Wage Peace in Israel two remarkable women who refuse to give in to despair, and who refuse to give up on the future. Women of the Sun - https://womensun.org/ Women Wage Peace - https://www.womenwagepeace.org.il/en/ If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bjian Ghaisar Foundation⁠⁠ And ICAN⁠⁠ International Civil Society Action Network⁠⁠ ICAN’s newsletter: ⁠⁠https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/⁠⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠⁠Africa Digital Audio Production⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Jessie Stone, a six-time U.S. freestyle team member, shares her journey of how an illness to one of her team during a kayaking trip led her to establish a health clinic in Uganda. Now she is on the front line as USAID cuts mean millions can no longer access life-saving care. Welcome to If You Were In Charge with Sanam Naraghi Anderlini. In the last ten years, Dr. Jessie Stone's clinic has served hundreds of thousands of patients and helped address critical health issues like malaria and community health. Speaking to Sanam, she stresses the importance of community education and describes the challenges faced in providing healthcare in a country with one doctor for every 25,000 patients. She highlights the extraordinary resilience of local communities and the need for grassroots solutions in healthcare. And as always, listen to the end for news on upcoming episodes and words of wisdom from Soleh! If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network You can find out more information or how to get in touch following the link to our homepage - https://shows.acast.com/if-you-were-in-charge Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fall of the Assad regime came swiftly in the end, with far less violence than anyone imagined. How did this happen? Can Syria emerge from its decades of brutality and bloodshed to become a bastion of hope in the Middle East? Sanam talks to Abir Hajibrahim, co-founder of Mobaderoon and one of Syria’s leading peacebuilders, who has built a network of dedicated peacebuilders and volunteers—preventing violence, reconciling communities, and mobilizing people to be active, engaged citizens determining their own futures. This conversation explores the untold stories of Syria’s peacebuilders—individuals from all walks of life who stepped into the chaos of conflict to rebuild trust, heal communities, and drive reconciliation from the ground up. This episode dives into the human cost of violence, the power of grassroots engagement, the unique role of women in peace efforts, and what sets peacebuilding apart from humanitarian work—all against the backdrop of a shifting political landscape. It’s a candid, hopeful look at the future of Syria, shaped by the courage and determination of its people. Mobaderoon https://mobaderoon.org If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network You can find out more information or how to get in touch following the link to our homepage - https://shows.acast.com/if-you-were-in-charge Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Politics and poetry may seem like an odd couple. But throughout history, and across cultures, through symbolism and story telling, writers and poets have captured the spirit of their age and shared them with us through time and geography - helping us make sense of human foibles, and the events of our our own world. In Episode 6 of If You were in Charge Sanam takes a different tack in her conversation with Christine Van Ruymbeke, The Soudavar Professor of Persian literature and culture at Cambridge University. It is said that the key to understanding Iran is through poetry, with Iranians often turning to verse to express their hopes and frustrations in everyday life. Familiarity with Persian poetry and the study of its rich, deep history in the West has suffered due to the Western world’s antagonism toward the Iranian regime. Yet these works hold profound cultural significance, particularly through Sufism and its global philosophical resonance. During an uncertain time in the world what wisdom to the poets of the past have for us about how navigate our modern world. Sanam also speaks with her daughter, Soleh, a PhD student at Cambridge, to reflect on the conversation and the role poetry played in their family life—with a few laughs along the way. So join us to hear about the enduring cultural power of classical poets such as Rumi and Saadi, and how these centuries-old verses continue to resonate with contemporary challenges. The episode also highlights the role of women in literature, showcasing their intellectual force and strategic insight in navigating cultural and social currents. Guest. Professor Christine van Ruymbeke Head of Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge University Ali Reza & Mohamed Soudavar Professor of Persian Studies If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network You can find out more information or how to get in touch following the link to our homepage - https://shows.acast.com/if-you-were-in-charge Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Chapters 00:00 The Power of Poetry and Literature 05:00 Exploring Persian Literature 10:10 The Significance of Rumi and Saadi 20:13 Lessons from Persian Fables 30:04 Women in Persian Literature and Their Power 37:23 Reviving Literature in Education 42:12 The Importance of Humanities 45:38 Funding and Institutional Support for Literature 47:48 Hope for the Future of Literature 49:23 Connecting Poetry to Society and Governance 58:35 The Role of Literature in Understanding Human Nature ProfessorChristine van Ruymbeke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the war on Gaza raging and violence escalating in the West Bank, few see hope for peace in the Middle East. But Marwa Hammad of Woman of the Sun in Palestine and Yael Braudo-Bahat of Women Wage Peace of Israel, refuse to give in to such despair, and they refuse to give up on the future. In Episode 5 of If You Were in Charge, Sanam Naraghi Anderlini takes on the toughest conflict of our times, offering a slice of hope and a glimpse into the resilience and courage of the women Peacebuilders who persist in waging peace. Stressing the urgent need to shift investment from conflict to peace, advocating for a future where women play a central role in forging a sustainable resolution. They also explore the challenges posed by funding cuts to civil society initiatives and the vital role of personal narratives in humanizing the cost of war. Despite mounting obstacles, the conversation finds hope in the tenacity of women working at the grassroots to foster understanding and drive meaningful change. At the end of the podcast Sanam is joined by her daughter to Soleh to reflect, get her views on what she made of the conversation and catch up on her news. Women of the Sun - https://womensun.org/ Women Wage Peace - https://www.womenwagepeace.org.il/en/ If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bjian Ghaisar Foundation⁠⁠ And ICAN⁠⁠ International Civil Society Action Network⁠⁠ ICAN’s newsletter: ⁠⁠https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/⁠⁠ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an ⁠⁠Africa Digital Audio Production⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the podcast, Sanam Naraghi Anderlini is joined by two distinguished voices in global diplomacy to examine the United Nations at a critical juncture. Richard Gowan, Director for UN and Multilateral Diplomacy at the International Crisis Group, and María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, former President of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister of Ecuador, and poet, delve into the mounting pressures facing the UN amid intensifying great power rivalries. Their conversation explores the urgent need for institutional reform, the vital importance of gender parity in global leadership, and the UN’s responsibility in advancing preventive diplomacy to sustain peace and security. The guests call for a renewed commitment to multilateralism, accountability in implementing resolutions, and the long-overdue appointment of a female Secretary-General. If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Original Music, Little Monster Media Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices