How does foreign policy branding react to human rights crises? Drawing on Sweden's feminist foreign policy as a compelling example, we are joined by Isabelle Karlsson to discuss how legitimacy is crafted through 'good' activism, knowledge branding, and alignment with solidarity discourses, lifting the veil on strategic communication practices in global policy in today's attention-driven world.

In 2009, the Netherlands implemented an innovative approach to addressing population decline with their Population Decline Action Plan. Joined by Marco Bontje (University of Amsterdam, Netherlands), we discuss how and why the policy was introduced, its evolution over a decade, and the reasons behind its termination in 2019. We'll also explore regional policies that have emerged since and what they mean for the future governance of population shrinkage in the Netherlands.

How do Nigerians view ethnic inequalities and what is their support for policies that address these gaps? Using a unique survey of 2300 Nigerians, Arnim Langer (KU Leuven, Belgium) uncovers the link between perceptions of inequality and attitudes towards redistribution. Tune in to learn about the factors that shape public opinion on this critical issue and what it means for Nigeria’s future.

Cities are using citizen voices to build their brands! Francisco Cristòfol (Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Spain) tells us how Huelva, in Spain, involved residents to create an authentic brand for its digital presence. This episode focuses on Huelva's process and strategy, and how they fostered community pride and a sustainable future.

Greenwashing or real climate action? This episode explores the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) social media and policy messaging on climate change. George Dikaios (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece) helps us understand if the IMO's online persona reflects concrete action and uncovers the potential gap between their "green" image and true environmental impact.

The pandemic's shift to remote work has left many Istanbul office buildings vacant, particularly in the expensive city center where affordable housing is scarce. In this episode, Zeynep Aydemir (MEF University, Turkey) explores a project where architecture students reimagined a vacant high-rise, the Tat Towers, as residential units. We show how projects of this nature can tackle housing shortages while offering valuable lessons in sustainable design for future architects.

Policy documents on poverty often miss crucial information. Joe Whelan (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland) tells us how hidden perspectives from those experiencing poverty are essential, and offers creative research methods that bridge the gap between official reports and the realities on the ground. The episode shows why policymakers need to listen more attentively to the voices and experiences missing from official plans.

We all want to leave a better world behind, but can we write laws that protect people who are not born yet? Svenja Behrendt (Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law, Germany) explores the legal and ethical challenges of ensuring a just future for future generations.