Visions of a Better World

What if trade wars, sanctions, debt crises, and geopolitical rivalry are not merely political failures, but symptoms of deeper flaws in the architecture of the global economy? In this two-part episode of Visions of a Better World Podcast, Max Tallberg and Astrid Aminoff are joined by Professor Heikki Patomäki and Dr. Konsta Kotilainen both contributors to Deweaponizing Interdependence: Bringing th...

This episode is a recording of our recent event held in Think Corner in Helsinki. Whose Future? Global Visions in a Contested World explored the state of the world in 2026 and what today’s shifting power dynamics mean for societies most affected by global inequality. As geopolitical tensions escalate and global governance faces growing contestation, the discussion asked: where does power truly lie...

In the second episode of this two part series on transformative politics, futures, and hope, we turn to the question of what comes next. If the future is not predetermined, how can it be shaped, and by whom? The conversation explores the idea that the future is fundamentally open, while acknowledging the constraints posed by climate change, technological developments, and shifting geopolitical dyn...

Episode 1: From 1990s Optimism to Authoritarian Capitalism In the first episode of this two-part series on transformative politics, futures, and hope, we revisit the political optimism of the 1990s and ask what became of the idea that “another world is possible.” What kind of hope shaped global civil society at the time, and how grounded was it in real possibilities for transformation? The episode...

In the second episode of our two-part series on human rights, we turn to the growing pressures facing human rights today and consider what their future might look like in an era marked by geopolitical tensions, technological transformation, and political contestation. What are the most significant challenges confronting human rights today, and how can societies respond when rights come into confli...

In the first episode of our two-part series on human rights, we explore the foundations of human rights, their historical development, and their current state in a rapidly changing world. What do human rights mean today, and how effectively do existing systems protect those most vulnerable to discrimination, exclusion, and injustice? The podcast brings together Professor Reetta Toivanen , Professo...

As 2025 draws to a close, the world faces an increasingly interconnected set of global challenges — climate change, wars, geopolitical instability, economic inequality, and uncertainty about the future. How can societies respond to this complex landscape? What visions, values, and forms of cooperation might guide humanity toward a more just and sustainable world? This State of the World 2025 panel...

As 2025 approaches its end, the world continues to grapple with overlapping global crises — climate change, wars, geopolitical instability, economic inequality, and growing uncertainty about the future. How can we respond to these interconnected challenges? What kinds of values, visions, and global cooperation might guide humanity toward a more just and sustainable future? We were honoured to host...

What would it take for the world to adopt a global carbon tax, and could such a policy become a meaningful tool for responding to the climate crisis? In this episode, we speak with Professor Jamie Morgan from Leeds Beckett University and Professor Heikki Patomäki from the University of Helsinki, two scholars who have collaborated extensively on the idea of a global greenhouse gas tax. Jamie Morgan...

As the climate crisis deepens, the need for ambitious and fair global action has never been more urgent. One proposal gaining attention is a global carbon tax — a system that would put a price on carbon emissions worldwide, aiming both to cut greenhouse gases and to fund climate solutions. But could such a policy work in practice, and what would it take to implement it on a global scale? On Wednes...

If democracy is under threat today, what might it look like tomorrow? In this episode we continue our discussion with Anniina leiviskä and Tuija Kasa to discuss the current state of Democracy. Anniina Leiviskä, Associate Professor at the University of Oulu, studies the role of education in addressing polarization and strengthening democratic dialogue. Tuija Kasa, a researcher at the University of...

A conversation on Democracy, Human Rights and Education In this episode we sat down with Anniina leiviskä and Tuija Kasa to discuss the current state of Democracy. Anniina Leiviskä, Associate Professor at the University of Oulu, studies the role of education in addressing polarization and strengthening democratic dialogue. Tuija Kasa, a researcher at the University of Helsinki, has just completed...

Climate Ethics, Technology and Future Visions In this two-part episode, we sit down with two moral philosophers—Professor Antti Kauppinen and Dr. Simo Kyllönen from the University of Helsinki—to explore the ethical questions behind some of the most urgent issues facing the world today. Professor Antti Kauppinen is a Professor of Practical Philosophy at the University of Helsinki. His research focu...

In this two-part episode, we sit down with two moral philosophers Professor Antti Kauppinen and Dr. Simo Kyllönen from the University of Helsinki to explore the ethical questions behind some of the most urgent issues facing the world today. · Professor Antti Kauppinen Antti Kauppinen is a Professor of Practical Philosophy at the University of Helsinki, his research focuses on moral psychology, wel...

Confronting Climate Change: Justice, Solutions and Future Visions. A panel discussion organised by Global Visions ry. On May 7th, 2025, we gathered at Musiikkitalo in Helsinki to confront the urgent questions posed by the climate crisis and to explore pathways toward justice, sustainability, and transformative futures. As the impacts of climate change continue to intensify, so too does the need fo...

In this special episode, we explore the challenges and possibilities facing the Global South in 2025 and beyond. Our guests bring expertise in global development, political economy, anti-racism, and social justice to the discussion: Professor Franklin Obeng-Odoom – Professor of Global Development Studies at the University of Helsinki, specializing in political economy, urban development, and envir...

In this special episode, we explore the challenges and possibilities facing the Global South in 2025 and beyond. Our guests bring expertise in global development, political economy, anti-racism, and social justice to the discussion: Professor Franklin Obeng-Odoom – Professor of Global Development Studies at the University of Helsinki, specializing in political economy, urban development, and envir...

In this episode, we continue our discussion on Global Governance with Professor Heikki Patomäki and are also joined by Professor Teivo Teivainen from the University of Helsinki. Patomäki and Teivainen co-authored a book on this theme 20 years ago, titled A Possible World: Democratic Transformation of Global Institutions (2004). Patomäki has continued exploring this theme more recently in his book...

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Heikki Patomäki from the University of Helsinki to discuss his latest book, World Statehood: The Future of World Politics . Patomäki explores the bold idea of a world state as a solution to the complex challenges of global governance. We trace the historical roots of global governance, from cosmopolitan thinkers to post–World War II intellectuals who exp...

As 2024 comes to a close, we face a convergence of escalating crises—climate change, wars, geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and social upheavals. How can the international community address these interlinked challenges? What reforms or strengthening of global institutions might be needed to better navigate this complex polycrisis in 2025 and beyond? Join us for the State of the World 2...

As 2024 comes to a close, we face a convergence of escalating crises—climate change, wars, geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and social upheavals. How can the international community address these interlinked challenges? What reforms or strengthening of global institutions might be needed to better navigate this complex polycrisis in 2025 and beyond? We were fortunate to have Docent and...

In this episode, we interview Osita Ifezue, founder of our partner Entergrate. We discuss multiple issues affecting immigrants in Finland, such as the problem of racism and discrimination, barriers for skilled workers and entrepreneurs, and the question of belonging. Many immigrants struggle with feeling welcome, valued, and that they belong in Finnish society. One important question we discussed...

In September we organised a panel discussion: Artificial Intelligence, Democracy and Human Rights at Musiikkitalo terassilämpiö in Helsinki. The full Panel is now available on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/e3y-gWenMore information about the panel: This panel discussion, organized by Global Visions ry, will explore the multifaceted impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on contemporary glob...

For this episode, we are pleased to welcome representatives of the Debt for Climate movement, joining us from Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Finland. Dianey Mugalizi is the Africa Regional Coordinator for Debt for Climate. Absolom Jim is a Debt for Climate country lead from Zimbabwe. Elsa Kivinen joins us from Debt for Climate Finland. In this episode, we discuss the Debt for Climate movement, the ongoing d...

In our latest two-part episode, we welcome three guests from the University of Helsinki. As we explore current events and the global challenges we face, it seems the fatalistic view is prevailing. Institutions like the UN lack credibility and the power needed to intervene and enforce human rights, as the current situations in Gaza and Sudan have shown us. The West continuously illustrates examples...