In this powerful episode of Power, People and Planet, Kumi Naidoo sits down with Syrian writer and cultural activist Reem Turkmani to explore how power operates beyond force — shaping minds, narratives, and imagination.

Reem reflects on growing up under authoritarian rule, where education, media, and even art were used to control thought and normalize injustice. Together, they unpack how climate stress exposed governance failures in Syria, how propaganda systems shape public consciousness, and why the real battleground is often cultural, not just political.

From the enduring phrase “the constitution was eaten by the donkey” to the role of storytelling in resistance, this conversation reveals how art can either reinforce silence or inspire action. Reem also shares the story of a 100-year-old Iraqi protest song — a powerful example of how culture can carry coded resistance, build solidarity, and offer healing in times of struggle.

This episode is a reminder that resistance is not only about confronting power — it is about reclaiming truth, memory, and imagination.

In this episode, we discuss:
✅Growing up in Syria under patriarchy and authoritarian control
✅Why the 2010–2011 uprising happened — beyond the “Arab Spring” narrative
✅How climate stress exposed governance failures and deepened grievances
✅The role of education, media, and culture in shaping public consciousness
✅How propaganda normalizes injustice — including the phrase “the constitution was eaten by the donkey”
✅The power of arts and culture in both reinforcing and resisting authoritarianism
✅Reem’s work with 1+1 Show, using media to build civic awareness across divided societies
✅The overlooked contributions of Arab and Muslim civilizations to modern science
✅A 100-year-old Iraqi protest song — and how art carries coded resistance, solidarity, and healing

SONG
Chal Chal by The Famous Arabic Crossover Musician Ilham Al Madfai
@ilhamalmadfai (https://www.instagram.com/ilhamalmadfai/ )
@m.madafai (https://www.instagram.com/m.madfai/ )


RESOURCES
Follow Reem on Social Media - https://www.instagram.com/rimturkmani/

1+1 Show : https://www.youtube.com/@1plus1show

Subcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/

What does it mean to be an activist today — and who gets to claim that title?

In this episode of Power, People & Planet, Kumi Naidoo is joined by Hardi Yakubu, Coordinator of Africans Rising for Unity, Justice, Peace and Dignity, for a powerful conversation on leadership, solidarity, and building people-powered movements across Africa.

From Hardi’s early experiences of standing up to injustice in school to his current role helping lead a pan-African movement with tens of thousands of members, the conversation challenges narrow, NGO-centric definitions of activism and calls for organising that goes beyond moments of protest.

At a time of overlapping crises — from climate breakdown to economic injustice — this episode asks how movements can rise with clarity, courage, and care.

Because pessimism is a luxury we simply cannot afford.

🧭 Topics Discussed
✅Early experiences that shape a life of resistance
✅The origins and growth of Africans Rising as a pan-African movement
✅Why mobilisation is not enough — and why organising matters
✅Building collective leadership beyond charismatic individuals
✅Challenging extractive economic models and imperial power
✅Unity, justice, peace, and dignity as foundations for Africa’s future

RESOURCES:

Hardi Yakubu- https://www.facebook.com/sonofafrica/

Africans Rising for Unity, Justice, Peace and Dignity- https://www.facebook.com/AfricansRising

Subcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/

“Your eco-anxiety is a sign your humanity is intact. You’re reacting rationally to an irrational world.”

In this episode of Power, People & Planet, Kumi Naidoo sits down with climate justice activist, author and musician Tori Tsui (It’s Not Just You) for a profound and unfiltered conversation about the world we’re living in — and the world we must build.

Together they explore:
🔥 Why climate change is not an “environmental issue” — but a failure of our political, economic & military systems
🔥 The deep connection between climate justice and the genocide in Palestine
🔥 How the military–fossil fuel industrial complex drives conflict and global emissions
🔥 The urgency of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
🔥 Eco-anxiety: why it’s a rational response to an irrational world — and how grief, rage and sensitivity can be transformed into collective power
🔥 Artivism: how culture, music and imagination fuel resistance and liberation

Tori shares her journey from wildlife scientist to outspoken activist, her work with Brian Eno and Earth Percent, and the “Together for Palestine” concert at Wembley. Kumi reflects on the need to centre artists, storytellers and culture-makers to reach hearts, not just minds — and why validating eco-anxiety is essential for building a resilient, people-powered movement.

➡️ JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty: https://fossilfueltreaty.org
Join the Global Artivism Movement: https://globalartivism.org

➡️RESOURCES
Follow Tori Tsui at : https://www.instagram.com/toritsui_
Together for Palestine: https://www.instagram.com/t4plive/
Massive Attack: https://www.instagram.com/massiveattackofficial/

______________

Check out Centre for Public Impact's latest episode for the Reimagining Government Podcast!

This podcast shines a light on government changemakers around the world. This season explores what happens when those too often excluded from decision-making lead the way, and what their leadership reveals about how governments can work differently.

Learn more here: https://centreforpublicimpact.org/our-work/reimagining-government-podcast/

Subcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/