In this episode of CEA Talk, our guest was Johannes de Jong, the director of the Sallux Foundation based in the Netherlands. Mr de Jong talks about the Christian democratic principles of Europe, how they are receding, and how crucial human dignity is for humanity. During the podcast, our guest talks about populist governments, autocratic regimes, and how the world has now been divided into two groups, countries where you have freedom and those where there is unfreedom.

#46 De Jong: The importance of human dignity in world a freedom and unfreedom

“I see joy is a form of resistance. I see it as a source of power, because it's how we continue to stand on our two feet. Even when we're knocked down, we find that power and a lot of that power is sourced through joy that we create. And the reason why I say that joy is power is because when so much is being stripped of our rights of our voices and all of that. We choose to embody joy, that's a form of taking back our power.”

When Pamela Larde, takes to the air for her talk show and podcast, she's known as “The Joy Whisperer.”  Dr. Pamela Larde, PhD, is also Associate Professor of Leadership and Director of Education at the Institute of Coaching, McLean/Harvard Medical School, Founder of the Academy of Creative Coaching & Tandem Light Press, Joy researcher, mom, and our guest on this week’s show.

Website: www.JanusAdams.com

DR. PAMELA LARDE, The Joy Whisperer

In the debate on how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact military strategy and decision-making, a key question is who makes better decisions — humans or machines? Advocates for a better leveraging of artificial intelligence point to heuristics and human error, arguing that new technologies can reduce civilian suffering through more precise targeting and greater legal compliance. The counter argument is that AI-enabled decision-making can be as bad, if not worse, than that done by humans, and that the scope for mistakes creates disproportionate risks. What these debates overlook is that it may not be possible for machines to replicate all dimensions of human decision-making. Moreover, we may not want them to. 

In this post, Erica Harper, Head of Research and Policy at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, sets out the possible implications of AI-enabled military decision-making as this relates to the initiation of war, the waging of conflict, and peacebuilding. She highlights that while such use of AI may create positive externalities — including in terms of prevention and harm mitigation — the risks are profound. These include the potential for a new era of opportunistic warfare, a mainstreaming of violence desensitization and missed opportunities for peace. Such potential needs to be assessed in terms of the current state of multilateral fragility, and factored into AI policy-making at the regional and international levels.

Will AI fundamentally alter how wars are initiated, fought and concluded?

Language matters and the protections of international law are crucial when facing global  trends of dehumanization. Dehumanizing narratives strip people of their dignity, making it easier to justify inhumane treatment, torture, and exclusion from legal protections.

In this post, Terry Hackett, Head of Division on Persons Deprived of Liberty at the ICRC, emphasizes the urgent need to reject dehumanization, ensure humane treatment, and strengthen compliance with international law to protect the dignity and rights of detainees globally.

Dehumanizing detention: degrading our collective humanity

“Walk Through fire" is a song that combines stories of pain, escape, hope and responsibility.

Fever

Walk Through Fire

This week we dive into the implications of the sixth commandment, 'You shall not murder.' Far from being a simple prohibition, this commandment reveals a profound principle: every human life is sacred. We're challenged to see beyond mere behavior modification and embrace a transformative journey of the heart. The story of Samson serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating how unchecked anger can lead to destructive consequences. Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5 further illuminate this, showing us that anger, left unchecked, can be as damaging as murder itself. We're called to examine our hearts, interrupt cycles of anger, and actively pursue reconciliation. This message invites us to view every human interaction as laced with eternal significance, treating each person we encounter as bearing the image of God. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to cultivate a posture of humility and actively seek to transform enemies into friends, mirroring Christ's example of absorbing violence and returning love.

The Ten Commandments | Do Not Murder - Exodus 20:1-2, 13 - Clint Leavitt

The eighth commandment given to the people in Exodus: 'You shall not steal.’ In this week’s message, Clint shows us how the eighth commandment goes beyond simple theft, urging us to consider how we might be 'stealing' through wrong keeping - holding onto excess while others are in need. By examining Exodus 20:15 and Ephesians 4:28, we're invited to view our possessions as gifts from God meant for stewardship, not ownership. This perspective shift can radically transform our approach to generosity. As we contemplate Christ's ultimate act of generosity on the cross, we're encouraged to let His sacrificial love melt our hearts, freeing us from the grip of materialism and inspiring us to give freely. This message invites us to examine our hearts, our budgets, and our priorities, asking whether they truly reflect the generous spirit of Christ.

The Ten Commandments | Do Not Steal - Exodus 20:1-2, 15 - Clint Leavitt

Our music speaks of personal memories, quiet resistance, and the fragile strength of those who keep going, even when the world seems to fall apart. Each song begins with a line, an image, or a feeling. This is not about trends.
It’s about truth in sound. About making people feel what often goes unheard. Because music won’t fix the world, but it can remind us what’s worth saving.
Stories that stay. Songs that move.

To everyone who listens: If our music speaks to you, we’re grateful. We don’t follow a formula. We follow feeling. And every time someone listens, shares, or reflects it shapes what comes next. We let ourselves drift, absorb, and respond to the world around us. But we never let go of honesty. We don’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, we lean into them. If you like what we do, please follow us. Share the songs. Let us know what resonates. You’re not just an audience, you’re part of the current that carries this music forward.

JUMBOBLOCKMUSIC.DE
Enjoy on Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer,  SoundCloud and others.

THE JANUS ADAMS SHOW, a weekly public radio program, is show about race and courage.  The show airs and streams live Saturdays at 11:00 am ET on WJFF -- www.WJFFradio.org.

At Midtown Presbyterian Church, we value honest questions and genuine community, working alongside one another as we discover more about what it means to follow Jesus in the modern world, and in Phoenix. You are welcome here.
Listen to our teachings in this podcast to follow us, and be sure to join us Sunday mornings; visit thespringmidtown.org to learn more.

Central European Affairs is the digital magazine of our Foundation. It provides an analysis of the most distinguished topics related to democracy, rule of law, authoritarianism, human and digital rights in Central Europe. In CEA Talk, the journal’s podcast, international experts give insights into details of international politics and business.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Humanitarian Law & Policy blog is a unique space for timely analysis and debate on international humanitarian law (IHL) issues and the policies that shape humanitarian action.

New tracks tagged #HumanDignity