In this episode we hand over to Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, Argentine writer and journalist, and recent winner of the American National Book Award for Translated Literature. One of the most powerful literary voices in Latin America today, she reflects on Europe through the lens of history, language and lived experience.

In conversation with Elisa Díaz Gras and Valeria Santi, Gabriela Cabezón Cámara revisits her first encounters with Europe - shaped by migration, memory and European literature - and interrogates the enduring impact of colonialism on the relationship between Europe and Latin America. She challenges the very notion of ‘colonial legacy’, describing it instead as an open wound marked by violence, dispossession and ongoing economic domination.

Throughout the discussion, she explores how power shapes language and meaning: who gets to name the world, define ‘universal’ norms, and claim legitimacy. From the concept of the Global South to the rise of far-right movements on both sides of the Atlantic, she offers a sharp and uncompromising critique of Western narratives, institutions and futures.

A dense, provocative and deeply literary conversation on history, language, power – and the uncertain future of relations between Europe and Latin America.

Handing Over the Mic is a podcast by the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics, produced with the support of the European Cultural Foundation.

Production and Distribution

Episodes are available on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and are also featured on the homepages of BIG and our partner, the European Cultural Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we hand over the mic to Dr Irene Khan, an internationally recognized leading voice in the defence of human rights, gender equality, and social justice. She is currently the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, becoming the first woman to hold the position.

Khan has been a leader on some of the most pressing issues of our time, as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, where she served for over two decades; at Amnesty International, its first female Secretary General; and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), which she led from 2012 to 2019.

Speaking with hosts Christine Mhundwa and Elisa Díaz Gras, Dr Khan enlightens us on complex issues such as digital regulation, human rights and Europe's role in shaping global tech governance. Dr Khan highlights the weaponisation and commodification of freedom of expression, noting how some governments and companies promote only certain types of speech, undermining democratic values.

The goal for Europe, she asserts, should be to 'create a system that is going to operate well no matter which part of the world you are in, when it comes to digital technology', adopting a truly global approach. She believes that 'this is an opportunity for Europe to play a leadership role, but it has to be an inclusive leadership role. We are not going back to Colonialism 2.0. Europe needs to recognize that is has partners on the other side - equal partners.'

Christine Mhundwa is a seasoned journalist and host of Deutsche Welle’s daily Africa news show, brings her deep expertise in political reporting, having covered key developments across southern Africa.

Elisa Díaz Gras has over 20 years of experience in diplomacy and international affairs, and is the Head of the Global South Programme at BIG.

Handing Over the Mic is a podcast by the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics, produced with the support of the European Cultural Foundation.

Production and Distribution

Episodes are available on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and are also featured on the homepages of BIG and our partner, the European Cultural Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this new episode of Handing Over the Mic, a podcast series where influential voices from the Global South share their perspectives on Europe—its past, present and future.

In this episode, we hand over the mic to Vera Songwe, renowned economist and global leader in development, finance and policy. In 2017 she made history as the first woman to lead the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) at the rank of Under Secretary General. In 2020, Forbes recognized her as one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women. Songwe currently serves as chair and founder of the Board of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility and co-chair of the Food System Economics Commission, which supports the transformation of global food and land use systems.

In this episode, hosts Christine Mhundwa, Elisa Díaz Gras and Vera Songwe discuss Africa’s evolving relationship with Europe and the global economy, emphasizing the need for equitable trade and meaningful partnerships. Songwe examines Africa’s strategic and independent role on the international stage and highlights the continent’s potential in areas such as climate action, food security, industrial development and youth education, while calling for innovative policies, investment and leadership.

“I think there is always this sense of what Africa needs to figure out [is] … whose side Africa needs to be on. Africa is on Africa's side. ... [W]hat African business are looking for is how we can grow our economies, how we can develop and deliver prosperity for the citizens of those countries. If China has the technology, we're going to get it from China. If China is cheaper in the technology, we will get it from China because we also need to be able to work with the resources that we have. ... I think that the question nobody ever asked the Europeans, are you going to go to the East or the West? What are you going to do? Why does Africa have to pick? “

Christine Mhundwa is a seasoned journalist and host of Deutsche Welle’s daily Africa news show, brings her deep expertise in political reporting, having covered key developments across southern Africa.

Elisa Díaz Gras has over 20 years of experience in diplomacy and international affairs, and is the Head of the Global South Programme at BIG.

Handing Over the Mic is a podcast by the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics, produced with the support of the European Cultural Foundation.

Production and Distribution

Episodes are available on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and are also featured on the homepages of BIG and our partner, the European Cultural Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.