COVID-19 Mini Series

The Public Discourse - All Episodes

We talk with Mohammed Hashim and Jelana Bighorn about how we can confront the problem of hatred and prejudice in our society and promote the oneness of humanity. Hashim is executive director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, and Bighorn is an educator.

The Public Discourse - S3.EP 2 - Confronting Hatred & Prejudice

This is an edited conversation among panelists who spoke about the role of religion in eradicating violence against women, hosted by the Bahá’í Community of Canada’s Office of Public Affairs in partnership with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, the Stop Violence Against Women coordinating committee of Perth County, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, and the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.

The Public Discourse - S3.EP 3 - The Role of Religion in Eradicating Violence Against Women

We talk with Shain Jackson and Dr. Roshan Danesh about the work of transforming society to reflect the principles of justice and oneness, with a focus on Indigenous peoples. Jackson is Coast Salish from the community of Sechelt, and President of Spirit Works Limited. Dr. Danesh is a lawyer, conflict resolution innovator, and educator.

The Public Discourse - S3.EP 4 - Championing Justice

We talk with Anne Snyder and Eric Farr about the nature of an educational process that can empower people to contribute to social progress. Snyder is Editor-in-Chief of Comment Magazine and Farr is a PhD student at the University of Toronto.

The Public Discourse - S3.EP 5 - Education and Social Progress

We talk with Hossein Amanat, Siamak Hariri, and Prof. Brigitte Shim about how a building or a place can help to illuminate the inner life of a person, and what role architecture can play in the spiritual upliftment of society. Amanat, Hariri, and Prof. Shim are principals at their respective Canadian architecture firms.

The Public Discourse - S3.EP 6 - Beauty and the Human Spirit

On this episode, we talk with Dr. Lita Cameron and Prof. John Milloy about how an ethic of service to others is informing the response of physicians and government officials to the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Cameron is a family physician in Hamilton, and Prof. Milloy is a professor of public ethics and former minister in the Ontario government.

The Public Discourse - S1.EP 1 - Service To Others

On this episode, we talk with Hannah Marazzi, Esther Maloney and Eric Farr about the ways in which religion and spirituality are shaping responses to the coronavirus health crisis, and how we can emerge from the crisis with a new consciousness. Marazzi works with Cardus, Maloney leads the Illumine Media Project, and Farr is a PhD student in religion.

The Public Discourse - S1.EP 2 - The Power Of Religion

On this episode, we talk with Ana Serrano and Shabnam Tashakor about the role of the community in responding to coronavirus, and the values they hope will characterize our future society. Serrano holds leadership positions with the Canadian Film Centre and Open Democracy Project, and Tashakor is a member of the Bahá'í Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas.

The Public Discourse - S1.EP 3 - The Role Of Community

We talk with Karim Bardeesy and Akaash Maharaj about the qualities of leadership during a time of crisis, and how to build a unifying vision around public policy that serves the common good. Bardeesy is the Executive Director of the Ryerson Leadership Lab and Maharaj is the CEO of the Mosaic Institute.

The Public Discourse - S1.EP 4 -  Leadership & Public Policy

We talk with Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-Kaplan and Peter Noteboom about the ways in which religious communities in Canada are fostering hope and solidarity in a time of coronavirus. Noteboom is the General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches, and Rabbi Dr. Duhan-Kaplan is Director of Inter-religious Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology.

The Public Discourse - S1.EP 5 - Hope & Solidarity During COVID-19

We talk to people across Canada about the values and principles that inform the way they are thinking about society, and how we can create a better public discourse. Staff of the Office of Public Affairs bring together guests who are contributing to the national conversation, and explore with them how insights from religion, science, and practice can help to foster new approaches to challenges facing Canadian society.