Society

Change proceeds at the speed of trust. Building this trust, particularly in the context of AI and synthetic biology, starts with open information exchange, discussion, and dialogue. It's about creating a shared understanding of our capabilities, responsible deployment of technology, and acknowledging the associated risks.

Dean of Stanford School of Medicine & cardiovascular researcher

Those who know the locations of the remaining graves remain silent, not wanting to tarnish the 'heroic' image of their generals. This silence and glorification prevent crucial information about mass graves from emerging, demonstrating the profound and tragic impact of this hero worship.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for former Yugoslavia and Rwanda

As a prosecutor, I recognize that our involvement typically begins when it's already too late: when prevention, humanity, and common sense have failed. Violence, whether in families, communities, or at an international level, signifies a failure of humanity.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for former Yugoslavia and Rwanda

As a young athlete, there was a focus on personal achievements – it was all about me, my goals, and my 'little kingdom.' However, with age and more life experience, my perspective broadened. It's about the knowledge and experiences I've gained being actively reinvested into the world before I pass away.

British Paralympic sprinter and long jumper; multiple Paralympic medals

My personal stance is to respond positively to any question, no matter how awkward or inappropriate. I believe it takes courage to ask, and even if the approach is off, the curiosity is commendable. The key is to create an environment where it's okay to be wrong, as long as there's a willingness to learn and engage respectfully.

British Paralympic sprinter and long jumper; multiple Paralympic medals

What's truly astounding is the shared background of many Paralympic athletes. Initially, when the Paralympics and parasports were relatively unknown, these athletes were often the ones overlooked in PE classes, chosen last for teams, and discouraged due to their disabilities. This mindset can lead to incredible achievements, regardless of how unlikely they may seem at first.

British Paralympic sprinter and long jumper; multiple Paralympic medals

Each step I've taken was possible not solely through my own efforts but because of the profound support, trust, and camaraderie extended by many others. We've embarked on this journey together, and it's a path of continuous learning for me. I choose to focus on living my life with the intention of making meaningful contributions.

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

What we urgently need is to cultivate a positive narrative, to energize and unite us in a collective movement. This isn't about asking everyone to do the same thing; rather, it's about fostering a 'movement of movements.' We encourage everyone to persist in their individual efforts, with the understanding that they are part of a larger, progressive force striving for a better world.

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

The climate crisis disproportionately affects the poorest countries and communities, small islands, and indigenous peoples—who contribute least to the problem. This crisis also embodies racial injustice, as those most affected are often people of colour. Gender injustice is evident through the distinct social roles and limited opportunities for women, who perform a significant portion of agricultural work, especially in regions like Africa and India, yet face barriers in accessing credit and agricultural training.

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

I often emphasise that etiquette is highly contextual, varying significantly depending on the cultural backdrop and the company you're in. These nuances highlight that etiquette isn't about rigid right or wrongs; it's about sensitivity to the context, the people you're with, and the prevailing cultural norms.

I believe a key issue is this newfound ability to hide behind our screens, which gives a false sense of impunity, allowing people to express themselves without restraint. Moreover, the surge in social media use seems to be edging out genuine social interactions. The more time we spend glued to our screens, the less we engage in meaningful, real-world exchanges.

My parents instilled in me the belief that everyone you meet can teach you something, regardless of their age, background, or education. I've always embraced every conversation as an opportunity to learn, to discover someone else's story and experiences, which are invariably different from my own.

For me, etiquette transcends mere formalities; it's fundamentally about ensuring others feel at ease in your presence, regardless of their background or demeanour. It's this universal language of respect and inclusion that truly enriches our interactions, making every social exchange an opportunity to bridge differences and foster a sense of belonging.

Working for international organisations, I was caught up in the belief that we could fix broken systems simply by introducing the right resources, processes, and intentions. However, I've come to realize that good intentions alone are insufficient. The lack of access to essential services isn't a matter of moral failing but rather a systemic inability to assess risk and generate profit from these assessments.

The silence we've adopted, along with the habits, behaviours, and patterns we've established, don't have to dictate how we proceed today or tomorrow, even if they characterized our yesterdays. It's challenging, to be clear. Changing behaviours is difficult. But on the other side of that challenge lies the opportunity for us to meet our needs, to build the teams we truly intend to build.

Silence is, by definition, an absence—an absence of voice, opinion, and life. It begins so subtly that it often goes unnoticed. We start by withdrawing or withholding our genuine thoughts from conversations, replacing them with what we presume others want to hear. As it continues, silence essentially means we cannot fully be ourselves. We find ourselves editing parts of who we are, censoring our thoughts and feelings—and we do this to each other, often without realizing it.