Farah Kabir is an activist from Bangladesh and has led the world development stage to amplify voices against injustice. In this episode, Farah Kabir highlights the root causes of disasters worldwide, from a human rights perspective. She also celebrates the achievements made in Bangladesh, such as creating dignified lives for street children, and acid survivors; and rebuilding resilient homes by bringing in the local government, and the professionals to address the on-ground needs of people....

Jordan Oster works for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Authority (MEMA). He shares his stories of dealing with day-to-day disasters and how it feels to help people in times of distress. Jordan is concerned that the intensity of climate-induced disasters is increasing all over the United States of America (USA), from heavy snowfall in California, and ice storms in Texas to an increased number of intense floods and storms in Massachusetts. --- Send in a voice message:...

Rumana Kabir starts My MARS mantra podcast to spread stories from changemakers she has met throughout her career in disasters and development. She was inspired by the authors of 'Story Listening project' and wanted to create a platform for people to listen to each other's stories from around the world. Her journey began in Bangladesh, where she witnessed the disparities between her own privileged life and the lives of street children. Rumana became interested in disaster risk management after...

Ines Smyth, is a Gender & Women's Rights and Climate Activist. She grew up in a working-class family in Italy and had a desire to see the world. She recalls her time in Indonesia. Ines also highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of intersectionality in addressing inequalities. She shares stories of working with marginalized communities in Asia. and explains why women died of Tsunami due to lack of swimming skills and gender roles. Ines also shares her stories on climate...

Stephen Pine, a Humanitarian Researcher, mentions the status of modern warfare that is silently destroying many lives around the world. He is curious about international events which go unnoticed by the mainstream media. Stephen passionately examines the ways in which people are denied their human rights during times of conflict. He also shares his research on the social effects of drone warfare, including the emotional impacts on drone pilots. He emphasises the importance of holding people...

Arwin Solaksono, shares his story of rebuilding Aceh, in Indonesia that was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. This tsunami affected 14 countries and killed 240,000 people, mostly Indonesians. When he was invited by an aid agency to advise them in rebuilding Aceh, he was moved by the emptiness caused by the Tsunami. This changed Arwin's career from an Engineer to a Shelter & Settlement Practitioner, now working worldwide. Tsunami also brought a big change in the lives of people...

Rumana welcomes her post-grad students, Daniel and Simon, to share their stories of growing up in a turbulent time in Uganda - how they helped people affected by conflict; and how conflict, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic are all interconnected. Daniel and Simon will surely inspire you to think twice, about how you can make a difference from your own position, as a lawyer, as an aid worker, as a project manager or simply as a member of the public who wants to know how displaced...

Rumana Kabir invites Ian Davis to look back at his 50-year long career in the field of disaster risk reduction and recovery. Rumana and Ian have one thing in common, that is the 1970s cyclone in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) that drew them to similar career paths. Ian first volunteered to help his friends to produce awareness raising materials titled 'Just Another Disaster' on the 70's cyclone, for a newly established charity Tear Fund. And Rumana was moved by the story that her grand-dad...

Are you an optimist? Are you interested to know about 'all the problems in this world and how we can try solving them?' Then listen to real-life stories from Changemakers working in disasters and development. Find out what motivates them to do what they do, how they find their inner resilience to overcome challenges and cherish successes. Their stories of Motivation, Actions, Reflections for a Sustainable future or MARS mantra will inspire you to find your own MARS mantra - your purpose and...