We are RAIA(ffairs), your podcast for stepping up in international affairs. Get informed on the stories and worries of political leaders, the 'behind the scenes' of decision-makers, and how politics impact and change your life. Join your host Francia, along with a new guest every episode, to discuss the individual policy-maker of the week.
We sat down with Chiara Leorato to talk about the upcoming Indian elections taking place from 19 April 2024 to 1 June 2024. We talked about Modi’s strategy both domestically and internationally, the role of the INDIA Alliance (opposition coalition against the Bharatiya Janata Party) in Modi’s strategies, and how the structure of the voting system plays a role in the election’s results. Please don’t forget to read Chiara’s article here: https://raiagroup.org/narendra-modis-hot-strategy-for-a-more-hindu-india
We sat down with Michele Testoni, professor of International Relations at IE University and a member of both the Asociación Española de Ciencia Política y de la Administración (AECPA) and the Transatlantic Studies Association (TSA) to talk about Rishi Sunak and his role in US-UK intelligence sharing. We talked about Sunak’s creation of the safety institute for artificial intelligence and what it means not only for UK transnational relations with the US and EU, but also the increasing role of government regulation and ethical concerns in AI development.
As Lula positions Brazil as a willing and active participant in international efforts, he aims to demonstrate the country's commitment to environmental protection and its pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future. In this episode of our 2023 Climate Leaders 101, we discuss Brazilian President Lula with IE students, Lana and Maxima. We not only discuss Lula’s current political status, but his previous involvement in Brazilian politics and particularly his stance on workers’ rights. The students delve into the pressures exerted on Brazil due to climate change, listing this as one of the reasons Lula wishes to enact climate policies on the national level, but also why he campaigns for action at the global stage. When discussing Lula’s climate action, the Amazon Fund is both praised and criticized by our analysis. Lastly, we refer to Lula’s involvement in the biggest corruption scandal in the country, the “Operation Car Wash”, and how this has tainted his credibility. Finally, Lana and Maxima explain why Lula IS to be considered a climate leader and discuss Lula’s view on the difference between developed and less developed countries regarding climate action. The Climate Leaders 101 series is brought to you as a collaboration between RAIA and IE University’s School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs. Ten IE students have researched five climate leaders under RAIA supervision and with RAIA’s methodology ahead of the COP28. This is the second year we have conducted this research program fully financed by our partners from IE University.Check out the report on Lula written by Lana and Maxima: https://raiagroup.org/ie-university-x-raia-research-program-2023Check out Lana Francella’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanafrancella/Check out Maxima Yasmin Riep’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxima-yasmin-riep/
Teresa Ribera is a relevant climate leader because she is in the spotlight in the Europeanfight against climate change as the minister for the Ecological Transition of Spainsince 2018. In this episode of our 2023 Climate Leaders 101, we discuss climate leader Teresa Ribera with IE student Ajinkya. We look at her environmental interest due to her background in academia and her rise in ministerial ranks in Spain. We then compare how this differed from her leadership experience as director of the IDDRI (Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations) and lessons learned to be implemented back into the European policy dimension regarding climate action. By helping us understand Spain’s four environmental challenges, Ajinkya goes into detail regarding her policies, such as Spain’s Hydrogen Roadmap and the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan for 2030. To end the discussion, Ajinkya goes into the obstacles facing Teresa, including bureaucratic, agri-food, and political party blocks. He then agrees that Teresa IS a climate leader, especially due to her consistency, genuine concern for climate change, and determination. The Climate Leaders 101 series is brought to you as a collaboration between RAIA and IE University’s School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs. Ten IE students have researched five climate leaders under RAIA supervision and with RAIA’s methodology ahead of the COP28. This is the second year we have conducted this research program fully financed by our partners from IE University. Check out the report on Teresa written by Ajinkya Deshpande & Valeria Eggers: https://raiagroup.org/ie-university-x-raia-research-program-2023. Check out Ajinka ’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajinkya-deshpande-578850203/
MBS’s commitment to renewable energy has been seen by some as a way to secure long-term economic stability and reduce the Saudi reliance on oil revenue. In this episode of our 2023 Climate Leaders 101, we discuss climate leader Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (MBS) with IE students, Alisa and Sofia. We begin by the basics, looking at the role of the royal family in Saudi politics and how this has affected MBS’s leadership style. This episode focuses on Saudi Arabia’s oil dependence and the extent to which this dependence both consolidates MBS’s power and funds his attempts at diversifying Saudi economic activity. We comment on the main policy MBS has launched to combat climate change, his Vision 2030, of which includes NEOM City. While the impacts are yet to be measured, Alisa and Sofia discuss whether Mohamed bin Salama Al Saud IS a climate leader given criticism of his ambitious projects and given ulterior economic motives. The Climate Leaders 101 series is brought to you as a collaboration between RAIA and IE University’s School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs. Ten IE students have researched five climate leaders under RAIA supervision and with RAIA’s methodology ahead of the COP28. This is the second year we have conducted this research program fully financed by our partners from IE University. Check out the report on MBS written by Alisa Lazurenko and Sofia Platonova: (Insert Link). Check out Alisa Lazurenko’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisa-lazurenko/. Check out Sofia Platonova’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofiaplatonova/.