IQ International

Inconvenient Questions (IQ) is committed to fostering deeper understanding, empathy, and involvement through meaningful informed conversations across boundaries. IQ International made its debut on 15 May 2021 – a new iteration that takes on the popular audio-only format.

IQ INTERNATIONAL #11 (29 June 2022)

LGBTQ+ - Why Cancel Conversation?

For the month of June, we discussed the topic LGBTQ+ - Why Cancel Conversation? We were joined by a multinational panel of experts and youths from the Hungary, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and the UK. The main panellists had a robust and fruitful discussion about the state of LGBTQ+ activism and rights today. Our youth panellists asked incisive questions about the role of corporations and multiculturalism in the area of LGBTQ+ issues.

We were joined by:

Mitch Yusof - Activist, SEED Foundation, Malaysia

Debbie Hayton - Teacher, Journalist, United Kingdom

Dorottya Redai - Gender Expert, Hungary

Jennifer Lu - Marriage Equality Activist, Taiwan

We also had Siddhi Pal, a Gender Justice Advocate from India, joining us as a co-moderator.

IQ INTERNATIONAL #10 (28 APRIL 2022)

Ukraine - IMpact and recovery

On 28 April 2022, we conducted a part 2 discussion on the ongoing Ukrainian crisis.

The war in Ukraine is into its third month! The fighting is likely to continue. Mass graves have been discovered in Mariupol. Meantime, the people in Ukraine have to live. Yet, aid, relief and recovery work must push ahead.

It was a deeply thoughtful and rich discussion that covered the humanitarian, economical, and post-conflict impact and challenges brought on by the crisis.

We were joined by:

Dr. Taimur Baig, Chief Economist, DBS Bank, Singapore

Dr. Galyna Kogut, President of Ukrainian Club in Singapore, Singapore

Benjamin William, Secretary-General/ CEO, Singapore Red Cross, Singapore

Mathias Heng, International Humanitarian Photojournalist, live in Ukraine

We had youth representatives from Malawi, Colombia, and Malaysia

Listen to the full recording in the YouTube video above!

IQ INTERNATIONAL #9 (30 MARCH 2022)

uKRAINE - cRISIS OR OPPORTUNITY?

On 30 March 2022, IQi held a discussion on the crisis in Ukraine, with a focus on the humanitarian aspects of the crisis.

The panel discussion saw four distinguished panellists in the fields of international relations and humanitarian work coming together. They were accompanied by Olena Kuriata, a Ukrainian war victim who shared her lived experiences live from Western Ukraine. The panellists discussed the features that make the Ukrainian refugee crisis stand out. They also spoke about the roles of superpowers and Russia's infringement on sovereignty.

The panel talked about the missing gaps in humanitarian aid, the various narratives surrounding the conflict, and the impact of sanctions globally. Youth panellists were also heavily engaged with the main panellists, leading to robust discussions on the conflict.

We had 4 global experts with a Ukrainian victim of war:

Olena Kuriata, Ukrainian victim of the war, Ukraine

H.E. Kateryna Zelenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Singapore, Singapore

Prof. Angela Stent, Prof. Emeritus Georgetown University, United States

Benjamin William, Secretary-General/CEO Singapore Red Cross, Singapore

Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow, Asia Research Institute, Singapore

We had youth representatives from Hong Kong, Singapore, Pakistan, India, the USA and Canada

Listen to the full recording in the YouTube video above!

IQ INTERNATIONAL #8 (26 JANUARY 2022)

2022 - a YEAR OF HOPE?

On 26 January 2022, IQi held a discussion on what 2022 could bring and whether or not there is reason to be hopeful for the year ahead.

We discussed a few key questions: How new is the "new normal"? Will 2022 challenge humanity in ways we could never imagine? Will 2022 be a year of hope where the best in us vanquishes the negatives? Has the field become more level or are more people being left behind? As humanity strives to establish a "new normal" , as we move forward in 2022, how do we help those who are left behind? How do we reach for the stars with our feet still on the ground?

The panel examined the impact of COVID-19 on the way we live, work, and play. It also discussed the implications of technological advancements and climate change on an increasingly polarised world.

We had 5 panellists from various parts of the world:

Anele Mdoda, Radio and TV Presenter, South Africa

Gautam Mukunda, Host of Nasdaq's Podcast, "World Reimagined", United States

Tehmina Kaoosji, Communications Consultant and Broadcast Journalist, Malaysia

Kylie Wang, Comedian and Podcaster, Taiwan

Darren Mak, Host of the "Plan B" Podcast, Singapore

We were joined by youth representatives from India, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom

Listen to the full recording in the YouTube video above!

IQ INTERNATIONAL #7 (24 nOVEMBER 2021)

COP26 - Will it Make a Difference?

On 24 November 2021, IQi held a discussion on the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP26 for short.

The summit saw delegates from almost 300 countries convening in Glasgow. Under the Glasgow Climate Pact, a series of agreements have been announced - more than 100 world leaders promised to end and reverse deforestation by 2030; the US and EU have established a global partnership to cut emissions of methane by 2030; more than 40 countries have expressed their commitment to move away from coal; an initiative bringing together some 450 banks and institutions has seen a pledge of $130 trillion to aid in the shift to green energy. The panel examined the key achievements of COP26, whether there needs to be a change in our approach to averting environmental catastrophe, and where do we go from here.

We had five global experts:

Sunny Verghese, Co-founder and Group CEO of Olam International Limited, Singapore

Dr Mark Terry, Executive Director, Youth Climate Report, Canada

Aida Greenbury, Senior Counsellor, Sustainability & Risk Management Strategist, Australia

Benjamin Attia, Senior Researcher in Energy Transition, Wood Mackenzie, USA

Nanticha Orcharoenchai, Founder, Climate Strike Thailand

We were also joined by youth representatives from Singapore and Canada

Listen to the full recording in the YouTube video above!

IQ International #6 (27 october 2021)

aukus - what and why?

IQi held its 6th discussion titled ‘AUKUS - What and Why?’ on 27 October 2021 on the popular audio-only platform Clubhouse.

On 27 October 2021, we held our 6th Inconvenient Questions International (IQi) discussion on AUKUS titled 'AUKUS - What and Why?'. What is AUKUS? On 15 September 2021, the leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) came together to officially launch AUKUS - a trilateral security arrangement that allows Australia to procure nuclear-powered submarines aided by the UK and the US over the next two decades. This does not contravene Australia's obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but has nonetheless resulted in growing concerns over the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. Is this a manifestation of the US pivot to Asia?

We heard the views from five experts:

- Drew Thompson, Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and former Director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, USA.

- Prof C Raja Mohan, Director, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore. A former journalist, he is a leading commentator on India’s foreign policy, and regional security issues.

- Hayley Channer, Senior Policy Fellow, Perth USAsia Centre, and formerly from the Australian Department of Defence.

- Manu Bhaskaran, Founding CEO of Centennial Asia Advisors, which provides independent research on Asian political and macro-economic trends.

- Assoc Prof Hoo Tiang Boon, Coordinator, China Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

We were also joined by a panel of youth representatives from around the world - the United States, India, Nigeria, Greece, and Australia.

Key questions that we examined:

1. Who or what is the “threat” that President Joe Biden referred to in his launch statement?

2. Contrary to the expressed intent of delivering a safer and more secure region, is AUKUS likely to increase tension, conflict and polarization in the Indo-Pacific?

3. President Joe Biden said that AUKUS "reflects a broader trend of key European countries playing an extremely important role in the Indo-Pacific". Is this what the countries in the region desire?

Listen to the full recording in the YouTube video above!

IQ International #5 (29 September 2021)

Understanding afghanistan

FULL RECORDING OF IQi#6 - Understanding Afghanistan

We held our 5th IQi discussion - ‘Understanding Afghanistan' on Wednesday, 29 September 2021 from 7pm to 8.30pm (Singapore Time UTC+8) on popular audio-only application Clubhouse.

The 1.5-hour discussion was aimed to provide a better understanding of Afghanistan’s complex and long history and the socio-political realities. What are the options today? What’s the fate of women and intellectuals? Can the Taliban govern effectively? Expect a robust discussion with people who know the ground.

Our esteemed panellists:

1. Chandran Nair - Founder & CEO, Global Institute For Tomorrow (HK)

2. Dr. Shanthie Mariet D'Souza - Founding Professor, Kautilya School of Public Policy (India) who spent a decade in Afghanistan

3. Micah Petersen - Captain, US Army (USA), who served in Afghanistan

4. Sveto Muhammad Ishoq - women’s rights advocate and social entrepreneur from Afghanistan

We will hear the views of 3 youths:

1. Abdul Wasiq Waqif - former executive, Education ministry in Afghanistan, and present student in Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP)

2. Chayanika Saxena - PhD student, NUS, researching on the Afghan diaspora in Delhi and Kolkata.

3. Louis Martin-Vézian - student, University of London, and geopolitics blogger on CIGeography

The discussion was co-moderated by Viswa Sadasivan, Chief Editor, IQi, and Dr.h.c Azeeza Jalaludeen, Founder & Chief Mentor, GoGLOBAL Business School. It will take place on the audio-only app, Clubhouse.

IQ International #4 (25 August 2021)

RIghts and plight of indigenous peoples

On 25 August 2021, we hosted an IQi discussion on a complex topic that requires greater attention: ‘Rights & Plight of Indigenous Peoples’

This discussion ties in with the 2021 theme for International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples: ‘Leaving No One Behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract.’

Indigenous peoples make up 5% of the global population but comprise 15% of the world’s extreme poor.

The incarceration rate for indigenous peoples is 12 times that of the non-indigenous population in Australia.

In Africa, indigenous peoples are denied many human rights as they are not formally recognised. In Asia, they have lost their land and face violent repression by the state.

Has any country in the world sufficiently recognised the rights of their indigenous communities? How can laws and policies be more inclusive? How can indigenous peoples better help themselves?

Join our panellists as they dive into these important issues:

1. His Honour Judge Matthew D Myers AM - first Aboriginal federal judge of Australia

2. Professor Micah F. Morton - Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Northern Illinois University

3. Kumar Jayanath - Specialist in American History

Four youth representatives from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Zimbabwe will also share their perspectives.

The discussion will be moderated by Viswa Sadasivan, Chief Editor of IQi. It will take place on the audio-only app, Clubhouse.

(A step-by-step guide to download Clubhouse will be provided upon registration here: https://tinyurl.com/rightsandplight)

You don’t want to miss this discussion - it will not only be robust and riveting, you will become a lot more aware of this important global issue.

IQ International #3 (21 July 2021)

WHEREFORE, HONG KONG?

On 22 July 2021, Inconvenient Questions International or IQi hosted a robust debate on a much talked-about, sensitive and complex topic: ‘Wherefore, Hong Kong?’ Youth from India, Singapore and Hong Kong exchanged views with a panel of 4 passionate Hong Kong citizens, experienced and invested in Hong Kong’s future:

• Christine Loh: Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Former Hong Kong legislator and Undersecretary for the Environment; Former CEO of think tank Civic Exchange

• Brian Wong: Rhodes Scholar and Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Political Review, DPhil Politics; Hong Kong Debate and Speech Community Governor

• Jason Yip: Chief Executive Officer of MWYO, an independent “think & do” tank on youth matters in Hong Kong. Former diplomatic delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), stationed in contexts including Afghanistan and Myanmar

• Johnson Yeung: Democracy & Labour Rights advocate, and Digital Security Educator, and former Convenor of Hong Kong Civil Human Rights Front.

Key questions that arose include: can HK move forward without a national reconciliation of the violence of 2019? Does China have the right to enforce a tough security law on HK – does this not go against the “One Country, Two Systems” principle? Is China the real issue or the social inequities and the housing problem plaguing the city? Is foreign interference making the situation worse? Do the protestors – mainly youths – represent the majority of HK residents? What are the realistic options for HK?

Highlights of the full discussion will be released in the coming week. Listen to the full recording below!

IQ International #2 (12 JUNe 2021)

israeli-palestinian ceasefire:
what now?

On Saturday (12 June 2021) from 5pm to 6.30pm, IQi hosted a discussion on the topic: Israeli-Palestinian Ceasefire: What Now? Three eminent speakers will be leading the discussion which will be moderated by Mr Viswa Sadasivan, former Nominated Member of Parliament and Chief Editor, IQ. The speakers are:

- Dr Rami Nasrallah: Founder & Chairman, International Peace Cooperation Centre (IPCC), Jerusalem
- Paul Hirschson: Senior Israeli Diplomat, MFA, Israel
- Sriram Panchu: Senior Advocate and Mediator; President, Mediators India.

We were also join by an International Youth Panel comprising young leaders from the United States, Ukraine, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Highlights of the full discussion will be released in the coming week. Watch this space for the latest updates!

Mr Hirschson expressed frustration in Ms Sahmoud bringing up contentious ideas late in the discussion. She was adamant that there’s no conclusion unless Israeli actions are classified as “occupation” or “apartheid”.

Also, a debate on whether Hamas suicide bombers are terrorists. This time between Ms Sahmoud and moderator, Mr Viswa Sadasivan. Ms Sahmoud contends these suicide bombers aren’t terrorists - as they are fighting a just cause.

Listen to the conversation by clicking on the link (above).

IQ International #1 (15 May 2021)

Myanmar Speaks:
conversation with ms kyi thawtar suu, ms moe thuzar, & mr cyril pereira

On Saturday (15 May 2021), IQ International spoke to Ms Kyi Thawtar Suu - a Program Manager with the International Bridges to Justice (IBJ) – on Saturday 15 May (5PM SGT, 3.30PM MMT, 11AM CEST) on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Civil Disobedience Movement, and how she never gives up for the vision of a better Myanmar.

How important is Myanmar to the rest of the world?

How important is Myanmar to the rest of the world? Is ASEAN “fundamentally disabled”?

As countries around the world struggle to contain COVID-19 outbreaks, the international community's political will to intervene in Myanmar's affairs is waning. Myanmar expert, Moe Thuzar stresses the importance of regional groupings such as ASEAN.

Yet, as the world waits for ASEAN to take the lead, Cyril Pereira questions whether its policy of non-interference renders ASEAN “fundamentally disabled”.

Also a heated debate on whether Aung San Suu Kyi is responsible for the collapse of her hybrid government? Is it time for her exit?

Moe Thuzar, respected expert and Coordinator of the Myanmar Studies Programme at the ISEAS-Yusok Ishak Institute, speaks on the longstanding relationship between the citizens and the military - and if it has been severed beyond repair as Kyi Suu suggests.

We also hear from Cyril Pereira, seasoned Asian affairs commentator, who argues that the former State Counsellor wasted her opportunity to form a working relationship with the military while in government.

If in the same situation, would you choose to take to the streets and fight for the cause?

Please take a moment to click this link and take a simple poll.

Click the YouTube link (above) for the highlights of what Kyi Suu shared in the IQ discussion. It’s 8min long - you don’t want to miss it!

FUll recording

We held the discussion on the social audio platform, 🎙Dive, to bring you this important discussion.

The full recording of the discussion can be found here: