The Munk Debates Podcast

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the protests that followed in the summer of 2020, offices across North America began introducing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training programs with the objective of reducing racial bias and discrimination in the workplace. Lately, however, this multi-billion dollar industry is facing scrutiny by critics who believe these are unproven and expensive programs which are not only ineffective, but counterproductive. DEI training, they argue, often reinforces biases or introduces new stereotypes where they didn’t previously exist. Furthermore, if people from marginalized groups perceive themselves to be surrounded by others who are biased against them, they are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and antisocial behaviour, which will impede their professional success and overall happiness. Supporters of DEI programs argue that these initiatives are required to correct inequities that have long existed within organizations. This training helps people of different races, sexual orientations and diverse backgrounds to feel more comfortable in the workplace, which fosters creativity and collaboration and increases employee retention. By correcting power and privilege imbalances, DEI programs help create more equitable and productive work environments for all employees. Arguing in favor of the resolution is Rebekah Wanic. She’s a social psychologist, leadership coach and author Arguing against the resolution is Diya Khanna. She’s a Diversity Equity Inclusion strategist, consultant, and facilitator.   The host of this podcast is Rudyard Griffiths Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to [email protected].  To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice start the show with the biggest geopolitical news of the week:  the Biden administration gave Ukraine the green light to use  American long range missiles to attack deep into Russia, which was met with an unprecedented Russian response. How significant is this escalation?  Why, in his final 60 days of a lame duck presidency, is Biden so willing to take such risks? Are they setting up Donald Trump and putting him in a position where he can't cut a deal between Russia and Ukraine? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn to the other big geopolitical news of the week: the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense Minister Yoav Gallant. How will this affect Israel and its standing internationally? And as a co-creator of the court, does Canada have a responsibility to abide by this warrant should Netanyahu land on Canadian soil? And finally, what damage is this doing to the validity and legitimacy of these international institutions? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice open the show reflecting on Trump's eye-popping appointments to key positions in government. What happened to the importance of competence, merit, and experience when assigning the most important roles within the federal government?  Rudyard and Janice then turn to Elon Musk, who this week was taking calls with the Ukrainian president and meeting with senior Iranian officials. How can we make sense of Elon's role in the Trump administration, given that he is the largest single contractor to the US government? And finally, can other institutions outside of Washington hold the line as the Trump team takes a wrecking ball to everything in their path? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

It’s America’s greatest unsolved murder: who shot JFK? On the 60th anniversary of the Warren Commission, we debate who was really behind the assassination of the 35th President of the United States. One one side of this debate is the lone gunman theory, the U.S. government’s official statement supported by the Warren Commission's findings. Proponents of this theory argue that shooter Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, without any assistance or interference from outside actors. On the other side are the impassioned theorists who point to doctored evidence and eyewitness accounts as proof that there is more to the story. Whether it was a second gunman on the grassy knoll, the mob avenging an unsuccessful coup in Cuba, or an inside job by the CIA, too many suspicious coincidences lead to only one conclusion: Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone on that fateful day. Arguing in favour of the resolution is Gerald Posner. He’s an investigative journalist and the author of Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK. Arguing against the resolution is Dick Russell, author of On the Trail of the JFK Assassins: A Groundbreaking Look at America's Most Infamous Conspiracy. You can vote on who you think won this debate. Go to our website www.munkdebates.com to become a free member and cast your vote. The host of this podcast episode is Ricki Gurwitz. To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a paid Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch