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The Seventh Value

What do concepts like freedom, equality and democracy really mean in Europe today and how can we relate them to the stories unfolding around us?

The European project was founded on a set of shared values – but have they stood the test of the time and how relevant are they in our increasingly tempestuous political environment? What do concepts like freedom, equali
Latest Episode6/14/2022

Episode Six: Human Rights

Season 1, Ep. 6
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created over 70 years ago, providing the first framework for an international system for the protection of human rights. There is now a system for enforcing rights in Europe. But times have changed. Today, the future of our world hangs in the balance with the climate crisis, demanding new rights that will help force politicians to take action. But the Human Rights system is also fragile. Who steps in when the people who help enforce our rights are under threat? And what role do rights play in unfolding humanitarian crises like those on the border of Poland and Belarus?In the last episode of The Seventh Value, host Juli Simond talks to Maciej Nowicki, President of the Board of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and co-founder and director of the Watch Dogs Film Festival, one of the longest-running festivals of its kind, to talk about the challenges facing those who fight for our rights in Europe and beyond. About The Seventh ValueThe Seventh Value is a collaboration between the Evens Foundation and Are We Europe, which explores the values that make up the fabric and face of the European Union. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Over 70 years ago these founding pillars were written into the treaty of the European Union, but how have they withstood the test of time? What other values might be important today? Find out more here.Episode Six CreditsGuest – Maciej Nowicki, President of the Board, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, and co-founder and Director, WATCH DOCS International Film FestivalHost – Juli Simond, Are We EuropeProducer – Anneleen Ophoff, Are We EuropeSound Designer – Wederik De Backer, Are We EuropeCoordinator – Federica Mantoan, Evens Foundation
6/14/2022

Episode Six: Human Rights

Season 1, Ep. 6
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created over 70 years ago, providing the first framework for an international system for the protection of human rights. There is now a system for enforcing rights in Europe. But times have changed. Today, the future of our world hangs in the balance with the climate crisis, demanding new rights that will help force politicians to take action. But the Human Rights system is also fragile. Who steps in when the people who help enforce our rights are under threat? And what role do rights play in unfolding humanitarian crises like those on the border of Poland and Belarus?In the last episode of The Seventh Value, host Juli Simond talks to Maciej Nowicki, President of the Board of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and co-founder and director of the Watch Dogs Film Festival, one of the longest-running festivals of its kind, to talk about the challenges facing those who fight for our rights in Europe and beyond. About The Seventh ValueThe Seventh Value is a collaboration between the Evens Foundation and Are We Europe, which explores the values that make up the fabric and face of the European Union. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Over 70 years ago these founding pillars were written into the treaty of the European Union, but how have they withstood the test of time? What other values might be important today? Find out more here.Episode Six CreditsGuest – Maciej Nowicki, President of the Board, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, and co-founder and Director, WATCH DOCS International Film FestivalHost – Juli Simond, Are We EuropeProducer – Anneleen Ophoff, Are We EuropeSound Designer – Wederik De Backer, Are We EuropeCoordinator – Federica Mantoan, Evens Foundation
6/8/2022

Episode Five: Rule of Law

Season 1, Ep. 5
Who does the law serve and who serves the law?The Rule of Law is enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union. It underpins the very idea of democracy and the rights we have in Europe, and – in theory – protects the people from the powerful, providing a framework for equality. But who gets to decide what is fair and what isn’t when it comes to creating the law? And what happens when discrimination is built into the law? Host Juli Simond is joined by Christian Kvorning Lassen, Deputy Director and Head of Research at Europeum, to look at how polarisation is placing pressure on this fundamental European value, with a direct impact on environmental issues, migration and the status of refugees, and democracy: “It’s not a coincidence that in the countries where the rule of law is most often challenged, we also have some of the lowest voter turnouts in the European Union.”About The Seventh ValueThe Seventh Value is a collaboration between the Evens Foundation and Are We Europe, which explores the values that make up the fabric and face of the European Union. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Over 70 years ago these founding pillars were written into the treaty of the European Union, but how have they withstood the test of time? What other values might be important today? Find out more here.Episode Five CreditsGuest – Christian Kvorning Lassen, Deputy Director and Head of Research, EuropeumHost – Juli Simond, Are We EuropeProducer – Anneleen Ophoff, Are We EuropeSound Designer – Wederik De Backer, Are We EuropeCoordinator – Federica Mantoan, Evens Foundation
6/2/2022

Episode Four: Equality

Season 1, Ep. 4
What does AI have to do with equality? In Episode Four of The Seventh Value, we explore how Artificial Intelligence is being used to undermine or promote the ideal of equality within Europe. Often described as the core of democracy, equality is enshrined as a key value in the European Treaty and in the Declaration of Human Rights. However, many systems and institutions within Europe still reinforce inequality in various forms, built on conscious and unconscious preconceptions. Now, the rise of AI is weaponising many of these underlying prejudices, with severe implications for the future of equality in Europe. Host Juli Simond and Carina Lopes, head of technology and social science think tank Digital Future Society, discusses the urgent issue of empathy and equality in AI.  About The Seventh ValueThe Seventh Value is a collaboration between the Evens Foundation and Are We Europe, which explores the values that make up the fabric and face of the European Union. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Over 70 years ago these founding pillars were written into the treaty of the European Union, but how have they withstood the test of time? What other values might be important today? Find out more here.Episode Four CreditsGuest – Carina Lopes, Head, Digital Future SocietyHost – Juli Simond, Are We EuropeProducer – Anneleen Ophoff, Are We EuropeSound Designer – Wederik De Backer, Are We EuropeCoordinator – Federica Mantoan, Evens Foundation
5/26/2022

Episode Three: Democracy

Season 1, Ep. 3
What happens when democracy fights with itself?Britain's 'Brexit' process gave rise to an extraordinary scenario, effectively pitching two different types of democracy against each other – direct (the direct votes gathered in the referendum) and representative (the decisions made by the elected officials on behalf of the electorate) – as parliamentary members fought the government to try and avoid a 'no deal Brexit' that would have lasting ramifications for Britain's foreign policy. The debacle revealed just some of the tensions in contemporary democracies in Europe and beyond.In this episode of The Seventh Value, host Juli Simond discusses the value of 'Democracy' through the lens of foreign policy with guest John McStravick, Vice-Chair of the think tank Agora. Together they explore what democracy means in contemporary Europe and how this affects the way we treat and interact with countries and communities from outside of the EU.About The Seventh ValueThe Seventh Value is a collaboration between the Evens Foundation and Are We Europe, which explores the values that make up the fabric and face of the European Union. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Over 70 years ago these founding pillars were written into the treaty of the European Union, but how have they withstood the test of time? What other values might be important today? Find out more here.Episode Two CreditsGuest – John McStravick, Vice-Chair, AgoraHost – Juli Simond, Are We EuropeProducer – Anneleen Ophoff, Are We EuropeSound Designer – Wederik De Backer, Are We EuropeCoordinator – Federica Mantoan, Evens Foundation
5/20/2022

Episode Two: Freedom

Season 1, Ep. 2
How do we define freedom? Do we only recognise it when we are at risk of losing it? From Hong Kong to Brussels, Episode Two of The Seventh Value explores the value of 'freedom' through the lens of the social movements and uprisings that have broken out across the world over the last two decades. Freedom is enshrined into the treaty of the European Union – the founding agreements that bind all member countries together – in several ways. Yet, in Europe today, many individuals lack the basic necessities to access these freedoms. Stefan Birger, Director of the Institute for Social Movements in Germany, joins host Juli Simond to discuss what freedom means, what circumstances need to be in place for it to truly exist, and why so many people are taking to the streets to fight for a free future. About The Seventh ValueThe Seventh Value is a collaboration between the Evens Foundation and Are We Europe, which explores the values that make up the fabric and face of the European Union. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Over 70 years ago these founding pillars were written into the treaty of the European Union, but how have they withstood the test of time? What other values might be important today? Find out more here.Episode Two CreditsGuest – Stefan Berger, Director, Institute for Social MovementsHost – Juli Simond, Are We EuropeProducer – Anneleen Ophoff, Are We EuropeSound Designer – Wederik De Backer, Are We EuropeCoordinator – Federica Mantoan, Evens Foundation
5/12/2022

Episode One: Human Dignity

Season 1, Ep. 1
How did human dignity become a core value enshrined within the European treaty and what does it mean today? The policy-making system of Brussels feels a long way away from the lignite mines in Macedonia, Greece. Yet those policies are ending a way of life that has existed for generations for the miners, their families and their communities. It is widely accepted that the closing of the mines is better for the environment, but what is less clear is how EU funding will help individuals and communities survive and stop young people from moving away. In this first episode of The Seventh Value, host Julie Simond and guest Ioli Christopoulou, Partner and Policy Director from Athens-based The Green Tank, discuss how we can transition towards a more sustainable future while keeping our dignity intact. About The Seventh ValueThe Seventh Value is a collaboration between the Evens Foundation and Are We Europe, which explores the values that make up the fabric and face of the European Union. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Over 70 years ago these founding pillars were written into the treaty of the European Union, but how have they withstood the test of time? What other values might be important today?Episode One CreditsGuest – Ioli Christopoulou, Partner and Policy Director, The Green TankHost – Juli Simond, Are We EuropeProducer – Anneleen Ophoff, Are We EuropeSound Designer – Wederik De Backer, Are We EuropeCoordinator – Federica Mantoan, Evens Foundation