In this Conversations4Citizenship Season 4 reflection, co-host Dr. Kamille Beye examines the profound global and educational disruptions of 2025. She highlights how cuts to USAID and university diversity funding emphasize the fragility of educational access, alongside global challenges like ongoing conflicts, the Syrian revolution, and the disruptive rise of AI. Amidst these shifting landscapes, Dr. Beye recaps Season 4's impactful episodes, which explored South Korean youth activism, philosophical diversity, school participatory budgeting, labor rights, higher education access, and the significance of memory sites. Acknowledging the heavy toll of political upheaval, misinformation, and climate change throughout the year, Beye draws inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., reminding listeners to balance finite disappointment with infinite hope. She concludes by urging global citizens to remain deeply engaged, advocate for justice, and carry resilience forward as they navigate the uncertain headwinds of 2026.

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In this enlightening episode, Dr. Stella Micheong Cheong and her co-hosts welcome Dr. Karina Korostelina, Director of the Sustainable Peace Lab at George Mason University, to discuss the profound impact of collective memory on conflict and reconciliation. Korostelina argues that physical locations such as monuments and museums, are not merely static records of the past but active political tools that shape national identity and future conflict dynamics. She introduces concepts from her new book, Memory Sites and Conflict Dynamics, explaining how these sites often 'ascribe' negative traits to perceived enemies or 'enhance' a group's own narrative at the expense of others. Furthermore, the conversation challenges the traditional liberal peace model, advocating instead for a local turn that prioritizes community resilience and agonistic history—acknowledging multiple, coexisting interpretations of the same events. Ultimately, Dr. Korostelina emphasizes that education is key to disrupting monolithic narratives and fostering lasting peace.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Stella Micheong Cheong. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music or Audible. You may also follow @c4cpodcast.bsky.social on Bluesky. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C, do not hesitate to reach out through the online participation form or email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com

If you are curious about Memory Sites and Conflict Dynamics, check out her new book, 'Memory Sites and Conflict DynamicsCollective Memory, Identity, and Power' and visit the Sustainable Peace Lab's website linked below.

• Korostelina, K. V. (2025). Memory Sites and Conflict Dynamics: Collective Memory, Identity, and Power. Routledge.
• Korostelina, K. V., Gopin, M., Helsing, J. W., & Özerdem, A. (Eds.). (2024). Identity and religion in peace processes: Mechanisms, strategies and tactics. Taylor & Francis.
• The Sustainable Peace Lab

Contact Conversations4citizenship

• Tweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheong
• Bluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.social.
• Email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com
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In this episode, Drs. Adam Peter Lang, Kamille Beye, and Stella Micheong Cheong engage in a comprehensive three-way discussion regarding the geopolitical and structural challenges facing higher education globally. Dr. Beye begins by highlighting the "tumultuous" landscape in the US, where the Trump administration’s policies against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have led to the revocation of research grants and created visa uncertainties for international students. Transitioning to South Korea, Dr. Cheong explains the intense societal pressure surrounding the "SKY" universities, describing a rigid "caste system" where academic credentials determine life success while vocational paths remain deeply stigmatized. Meanwhile, Dr. Lang details the UK’s deepening financial crisis, noting that nearly 40% of universities face deficits, resulting in mergers and significant staff redundancies. Despite these struggles, the hosts conclude with optimism, viewing these crises as potential catalysts for educational reform.

Contact Conversations4citizenship

• Tweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheong
• Bluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.social.
• Email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com
• Submit your work us at http://www.conversations4citizenship.com
• You can now follow the Conversations4Citizenship on Bluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.social

Thanks for listening and keeping Conversations4Citizenship podcasting!