First day of training, no one knows anyone, no one knows yet what to expect. 100 students in a room, some surely tired after last nights welcome ceremony, but all, even those who would not admit to it, feeling those tiny butterflies of excitement. A somewhat scratching microphone is reflecting back and forth between the Soviet inspired architecture as the lecturer, strikingly academic looking, steps up to the lectern. Unnoticed, taping a tin box of cigars in his left side suit pocket. A photo slides up on the cinematic like screen without introduction. The audience is left alone to grasp what is captured by the image.

“These people are literarily fleeing the place you are trying to get to. You should ask yourselves, what motivates you?”

This question stuck with me. Over the years, this is the moment which I would come back to whenever I would meet people pushing for change - in often incredibly harsh conditions.

The Change Rebels podcast gives changemakers at the frontline a chance to tell their story, and to call for action wherever they think it’s needed. In turn, inspiring our listeners to become the changemakers, peacebuilders, human rights defenders and youth activists that the world needs.