New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to her first child, a girl, on 21 June, then shared the news with a photo on social media. The PM will now take six weeks maternity leave while her deputy steps in. At 37, Ardern is New Zealand’s youngest Prime Minister in 150 years, and she … Continue reading “How to Be a Modern Prime Minister”
As Canada Day approaches on 1 July, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been in international headlines, though not for the reasons the golden boy of Canadian politics has attracted publicity for in his three years in office. This time it was for crossing swords with Donald Trump over trade tariffs at the G7 … Continue reading “Prime Canadian”
Each autumn, Britain’s Collins Dictionary announces a Word of the Year, a word or expression that has been omnipresent. For 2017, the WOTY is “fake news”, a term often associated with President Trump. The expression was used a lot during the election campaign. Since his inauguration in January, President Trump has brandished it regularly, on … Continue reading “Word of the Year: Fake News”
Ever since the surprise result of the June 8 General Election, figures have been flying round traditional and social media claiming that the swing away from the Conservatives to Labour was caused by young voters “taking their revenge” for the Brexit referendum. It’s a good story. But is it true? After the Brexit referendum, there … Continue reading “Did Britain Just Have A Youth Quake?”
Bite the Ballot and The League of Young Voters are both British charities created by young people and focused on getting young people engaged in voting, especially in the general election on 8 June. Their videos, apps and animations are extremely teen-friendly and excellent for working on citizenship in class. This video encouraging young people … Continue reading “Young Voters Webpicks”
You might think young British voters would be getting jaded after two general elections and a referendum in two years. But on the contrary, young people are signing up to vote in record numbers. There has been a surge of voters registering to vote since the surprise announcement of the general election. Between Mrs May’s … Continue reading “Young Voters”
“50/50: Rethinking the Past, Present, and Future of Women + Power” is a free downloadable film and discussion guide about gender balance that is central to 50/50 Day on 10 May. Here are some suggestions for using the film and other resources for a them on women’s rights or gender balance. You can find more … Continue reading “50/50 Day Film in Class”
Fifty-Fifty Day on 10 May is a global event encouraging discussion about a gender-balanced world. What would our lives be like if both genders participated equally in all aspects of it? A free film and discussion guide and online Q&A session aim to spark a conversation. Award-winning documentary maker Tiffany Shlain explains that she was … Continue reading “Make It Fifty Fifty”
It’s taken the best part of a year since the British electorate voted to leave the EU. On 29 March, Prime Minister Theresa May finally triggered Article 50 to officially start the leaving procedure. On 13 March, Parliament passed the EU Withdrawal Bill, which had been forced by a citizens’ challenge in the courts opposing … Continue reading “This Time Brexit Means Brexit”
Canada pioneered an experiment on a universal basic income for all citizens in the 1970s. Now, one province, Ontario, has promised another trial. And other countries or regions are also toying with a basic income for all. In 1974, when Pierre Trudeau was Prime Minister, the federal government and Manitoba Province launched a four-year minimum … Continue reading “Basic Income: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?”