Vilmantas Balčikonis, Vice-President of the Lithuanian Association of Blind and Partially Sighted, explains why cooperation with the EU Parliament and other organisations around Europe is important. He also reflects on LASS’ advocacy work in promoting the rights of people with visual impairment in Lithuania, as well as EBU’s support at a European level. #ViewsOfLife is a cooperative media project by European Blind Union (EBU) and ORF_connect for technical support of production. Through this initiative, journalist Julius Kratky will interview people from different EBU National Members to know more about the situation of blind and partially sighted people across Europe. EBU-Editor: Nacho Lopez Links: Lithuanian Association of Blind an Partially Sighted People: lass.lt/the-lithuanian-union-of-the-blind-and-partially-sighted/ Cooperation/partners: European Blind Union: euroblind.org and ORF - Austrian Broadcasting Corporation orf.at ORF_connect is an initiative for video communication.

"The home can be a canvas and a sanctuary" Khulood Al Sharhan.   Odyssey Global Media is pleased to release the podcast with Emirati Creative Director, Content Creator, Interior Designer, and Author, who understands the value of investing in cultural and human connections. Khulood's wide range of local and international background experiences for over a span of more than 14 years, gives her the ability to understand the ultimate diversity and connections. Her skills and backgrounds in working with different world-wide well known places such as Sotheby’s London, Twofour54 Abu Dhabi and CX2 interior design Vienna, got her exposed to a number of aspects in developing her way of thinking and acquired the skills for understanding the Art Market.   Khulood Al Sharhan is passionate about embracing the historical narratives to inspire the community. As she demonstrated that while working with Asateer Luxury Gifts and produced several Creative Projects and Products related to UAE history for House of Artisans in Abu Dhabi, VIPs, and Royal Families. She believes that this history is a chance to interpret a contemporary vision and breath new life into our conceptual design and projects.   “We exist in a constant cycle of learning, understanding, and revealing legends and mysteries.” Khulood

Odyssey Global Media is pleased to globally broadcast "The Views of Life" series with cooperation partners Austrian Broadcasting Corporation and European Blind Union Julius interviews Ask Løvbjerg Abildgaard, President of Dansk Blindesamfund, on the current situation of visually impaired people in Denmark. Ask Løvbjerg Abildgaard explains the main tasks of the organisation, like addressing the decreasing rates of education levels among young blind and partially sighted persons in Denmark. The President of Dansk Blindesamfund is also very engaged in the matter of disability policy-making. In this sense, he highlights that municipalities must realise that rehabilitation of visually impaired people is a specialised task which needs to be handled by higher administrative levels.” #ViewsOfLife is a cooperative media project by European Blind Union (EBU) and ORF_connect for technical support of production. Through this initiative, journalist Julius Kratky will interview people from different EBU National Members to know more about the situation of blind and partially sighted people across Europe. EBU-Editor: Nacho Lopez Links: blind.dk/ Cooperation/partners: European Blind Union: euroblind.org and ORF - Austrian Broadcasting Corporation orf.at ORF_connect is an initiative for video communication.

Odyssey Global Media is pleased to globally broadcast "The Views of Life" series with cooperation partners Austrian Broadcasting Corporation and European Blind Union Interview with Madeleine McNamara - NCBI, National Council for the Blind of Ireland. Julius interviews Madeleine McNamara, Advocacy and Engagement Administrator at NCBI, on the current situation of visually impaired people in Ireland. Madeleine is blind herself, and she tells us more about her emphasis for setting more awareness-raising measures. She is thinks that it is important that people listen to each other to avoid wrong assumptions about the needs of blind and partially sighted persons. #ViewsOfLife is a cooperative media project by European Blind Union (EBU) and ORF_connect for technical support of production. Through this initiative, journalist Julius Kratky will interview people from different EBU National Members to know more about the situation of blind and partially sighted people across Europe. EBU-Editor: Nacho Lopez Links: ncbi.ie Cooperation/partners: European Blind Union: euroblind.org and ORF - Austrian Broadcasting Corporation orf.at ORF_connect is an initiative for video communication.

Odyssey Global Media is pleased to globally broadcast "The Views of Life" series with cooperation partners Austrian Broadcasting Corporation and European Blind Union Julius interviews Katarina Bigović-Kulić, deputy director and Anđela Dragović, member of the Union of the Blind of Montenegro on the current situation of blind and partially sighted people in Montenegro. Katarina and Anđela talk about how they could help the organization with their mutual cooperation and which kind of support they could offer. The result is a lot of progress during the last years. #ViewsOfLife is a cooperative media project by European Blind Union (EBU) and ORF_connect for technical support of production. Through this initiative, journalist Julius Kratky will interview people from different EBU National Members to know more about the situation of blind and partially sighted people across Europe. EBU-Editor: Nacho Lopez Links: ss-cg.org/ Cooperation/partners: European Blind Union: euroblind.org and ORF - Austrian Broadcasting Corporation orf.at ORF_connect is an initiative for video communication.

Odyssey Global Media is pleased to globally broadcast "The Views of Life" series with cooperation partners Austrian Broadcasting Corporation and European Blind Union Julius interviews Dorota Krać, member of the Polish Association of the Blind (PZN), on the current situation of visually impaired people in Poland. The deep-going interview explains how better education and more empathy in general could help to improve the situation of people with disabilities - especially for access to the labour market. #ViewsOfLife is a cooperative media project by European Blind Union (EBU) and ORF_connect for technical support of production. Through this initiative, journalist Julius Kratky will interview people from different EBU National Members to know more about the situation of blind and partially sighted people across Europe. EBU-Editor: Nacho Lopez Links: pzn.org.pl Cooperation/partners: European Blind Union: euroblind.org and ORF - Austrian Broadcasting Corporation orf.at ORF_connect is an initiative for video communication.

Odyssey Global Media is pleased to globally broadcast "The Views of Life" series with cooperation partners Austrian Broadcasting Corporation and European Blind Union. Julius interviews Cristina Barreto, member of Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles, on the current situation of visually impaired people in Spain. In the second half of 2023, Spain will overtake the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Cristina explains how this will help the Spanish organizations for persons with disabilities to achieve their goals. At the same time, she also discusses the introduction of the new European Disability Card. #ViewsOfLife is a cooperative media project by European Blind Union (EBU) and ORF_connect for technical support of production. Through this initiative, journalist Julius Kratky will interview people from different EBU National Members to know more about the situation of blind and partially sighted people across Europe. EBU-Editor: Nacho Lopez Links: once.es Cooperation/partners: European Blind Union: euroblind.org and ORF - Austrian Broadcasting Corporation orf.at ORF_connect is an initiative for video communication.

Odyssey Global Media is pleased to globally broadcast "The Views of Life" series with cooperation partners Austrian Broadcasting Corporation and European Blind Union. Julius interviews Reiner Delgado, officer of Social Affairs of the German Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted (DBSV), on the current situation of visually impaired people in Germany. #ViewsOfLife is a cooperative media project by European Blind Union (EBU) and ORF_connect for technical support of production. Through this initiative, journalist Julius Kratky will interview people from different EBU National Members to know more about the situation of blind and partially sighted people across Europe. EBU-Editor: Nacho Lopez Cooperation/partners: European Blind Union: euroblind.org and ORF - Austrian Broadcasting Corporation orf.at ORF_connect is an initiative for video communication.

Odyssey Global Media is pleased to globally broadcast "The Views of Life" series with cooperation partners Austrian Broadcasting Corporation and European Blind Union.   Views of Life: Luboš Zajíc, President of Czech Blind United (SONS)   Julius interviews Luboš Zajíc, president of Czech Blind United (SONS), on the current situation of visually impaired people in the Czech Republic. #ViewsOfLife is a cooperative media project by European Blind Union (EBU) and ORF_connect for technical support of production. Through this initiative, journalist Julius Kratky will interview people from different EBU National Members to know more about the situation of blind and partially sighted people across Europe. EBU-Editor: Nacho Lopez Cooperation/partners: European Blind Union: euroblind.org and ORF - Austrian Broadcasting Corporation orf.at ORF_connect is an initiative for video communication.

Odyssey Global Media is pleased to globally broadcast "The Views of Life" series with cooperation partners Austrian Broadcasting Corporation and European Blind Union.   Views Of Life: Elisa Montonen - Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired. Julius interviews Elisa Montonen, rights advisor at the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired (Näkövammaisten liitto), on the current situation of visually impaired people in Finland. #ViewsOfLife is a cooperative media project by European Blind Union (EBU) and ORF_connect for technical support of production. Through this initiative, journalist Julius Kratky will interview people from different EBU National Members to know more about the situation of blind and partially sighted people across Europe. EBU-Editor: Nacho Lopez Cooperation/partners: European Blind Union: euroblind.org and ORF - Austrian Broadcasting Corporation orf.at ORF_connect is an initiative for video communication.

Odyssey Global Media is pleased to globally broadcast "The Views of Life" series with cooperation partners Austrian Broadcasting Corporation and European Blind Union. In this first episode, the executive director of the EBU - The European Blind Union - Lars Bosselmann and EBU external communication officer, Nacho Lopez are explaining what are the goals of the new videocast VIEWS OF LIFE. Cooperation/partners: European Blind Union: euroblind.org and ORF - Austrian Broadcasting Corporation orf.at ORF_connect is an initiative for video communication. #ViewsOfLife is a cooperative media project by European Blind Union (EBU) and ORF_connect for technical support of production. Through this initiative, journalist Julius Kratky will interview people from different EBU National Members to know more about the situation of blind and partially sighted people across Europe. EBU-Editor: Nacho Lopez

Introducing LiveableCitiesX #IAmACityChangemaker interview series, where they engage in conversations with changemakers from around the world. One of their advisory board members, Gil Penalosa, Founder of 8 80 Cities and hashtag#Cities4Everyone, shared his inspiring insights on how we can create liveable, equitable and sustainable cities of the future, driving impactful urban change. Explore his perspectives on this topic and stay updated as we approach LiveableCitiesX 2024. Join the movement today: https://lnkd.in/ds3SwzkQ Interview led by their Head of Communications, Ranju Warrier #IAmACityChangemaker #LiveableCitiesX #UrbanDevelopment #Sustainability #EconomicDevelopment

Welcome to a special "Blue Planet" Podcast, where we explore the captivating stories and artistic visions behind this global initiative from Odyssey Global Media, celebrating the wonders of our oceans. I'm thrilled to take you on this journey of creative expression and environmental advocacy. On July 23rd, 2024, the world came together for the grand unveiling of the "Blue Planet" global digital exhibition - an Odyssey Global Media Global Grassroots Art Event that showcased the remarkable works of artists from around the world. Each piece has been crafted to raise awareness about the importance of ocean conservation, and to inspire sustainability conversations that will protect the health of our blue planet. In this special podcast series, we'll have the privilege of hearing directly from some of the talented artists whose work is featured in the "Blue Planet" exhibition. You'll learn about the personal experiences, environmental passions, and creative visions that have guided their artistic process. From the vibrant hues of coral reefs to the mesmerizing movements of marine life, these creatives will share the powerful messages they've woven into their captivating pieces.

In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship, as well as for addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development. The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2024, "Youth Skills for Peace and Development," underscores the crucial role young people play in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. The world faces a multitude of challenges today, many of which affect the youth. It is crucial to equip youth with the necessary skills for fostering a culture of peace, nurturing responsible global citizens, and promoting sustainable development to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all. (Source : United Nations) Michelle Kim is a sustainability educator, youth community leader and advocate working heavily on UN SDGs & Social+Environmental pillars of sustainability. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a study focused on sustainability at the University of Alberta, and is completing her Global Development Master’s Degree at Harvard University whilst working as a sustainability, leadership, and indigenous program manager at the University of Alberta.  She has been involved in current climate education in both global South and North, working at international and local levels. Anum Farooq is an Associate of the Royal College of Science and Imperial College London alumna. She is a UN YCIG Mentor, and current MTE Climate Ambassador with an interest in nature inspired art. She holds over a decade of experience in the education sector and has partaken in youth advocacy.  Anum is the Director of Heal Earth; whose  mission is to provide comprehensive, innovative educational solutions that empower the next generation to become environmental leaders and sustainability advocates.

'Deafblindness is a combined vision and hearing impairment of such severity that it is hard for the impaired senses to compensate for each other. Thus, deafblindness is a distinct disability. To varying degrees, deafblindness limits activities and restricts full participation in society. It affects social life, communication, access to information, orientation and the ability to move around freely and safely. To help compensate for the combined vision and hearing impairment, especially the tactile sense becomes important. Representing between 0.2% to 2% of the population, persons with deafblindness are a very diverse yet hidden group and are, overall, more likely to be poor and unemployed, and with lower educational outcomes. Because deafblindness is less wellknown and often misunderstood, people struggle to obtain the right support, and are often excluded from both development and disability programmes.' WFDB is a global non-governmental advocacy organization by and for persons with deafblindness, aiming to improve the quality of life and protect the rights of this distinct disability group. WFDB was established in 2001 and consists today of 75 national and associated member organizations from 67 different countries from all corners of the world. Relationships have been established with The World Blind Union (WBU), The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), Deafblind International (DbI) and The World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI). In 2007 the organization attained consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is a member of the International Disability Alliance (IDA) where the WFDB President serves as a member of the board. Sanja Tarczay was born deaf in Zagreb, Croatia, and later became Deafblind. In 1994, she founded the Croatian Association of Deafblind Persons “Dodir,” where she continues to serve as President. Sanja is also a lecturer on Deafblindness and Sign Language at universities in Zagreb and has published multiple papers. From 2013 to 2022, she served as President of the European Deafblind Union and was a member of the Disability Rights Fund's Grantmaking Committee. Fluent in five sign languages and two spoken languages, Sanja earned her Doctorate in 2014. Since October 2022, she has been the President of the World Federation of the Deafblind, advocating for global equality and inclusion. Lucia D'Arino is the Program Advisor at the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB). Born in Spain to an Argentinian family, she holds a background in International Relations and European Studies. Lucia has extensive experience working with organizations of persons with disabilities across Europe and internationally. In her current role, she coordinates WFDB's international projects and campaigns and manages advocacy and communication activities. Lucia is an expert in human rights, accessibility, and intersectionality.

In this episode, we talk with Ghaleya Almansoori about her innovative mobile art studio, Kenaz, which she has launched in the United Arab Emirates. Kenaz is a unique initiative that blends modern art techniques with traditional regional crafts, offering hands-on workshops and creative experiences for the local community. Ghaleya developed Kenaz as part of her graduate thesis in MA Art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The mobile studio travels to different regions and public spaces in the Emirates, bringing high-quality art supplies and instruction directly to participants. Through Kenaz, Ghaleya hopes to preserve cultural heritage while also inspiring creative self-expression. In our conversation, she discusses her passion for arts education, the design and logistics of the mobile studio, and the positive impact she's already seen from Kenaz's workshops. Whether you're an aspiring artist or simply appreciate the arts, this episode offers a fascinating look at how one Emirati innovator is reimagining art accessibility in the region.

Marine Tanguy : The Visual Detox In The Visual Detox, art expert and businesswoman Marine Tanguy explains how the imagery we see shapes our wellbeing. She gives us new tools to think critically about images, combat information overload and participate more in the visual world around us by engaging with the art and content that improves our day-to-day experiences online, at work, in our homes and in public spaces.   Marine Tanguy launched Certified B Corporation, MTArt Agency in 2015, following a career in visual arts in London and LA. MTArt agency is worth £35 million and is the art sector’s leading talent agency representing some of the most talented, forward-thinking artists in the world. The agency looks to support, promote and enable artists to work with the broadest canvas possible, from working with brands to public art and fine art institutions. The agency works with global organisations and cities, nurturing an international community of art-lovers and collectors as well as diverse brands ranging from Apple to Dior and even the World Cup. Marine is an influencer and passionate advocate for the role of the artist in guiding the public through a world flooded with visual noise and the agency seeks to ensure artists are rightly recognised as the spokespeople for a visual age.  As a business person, Marine was awarded Forbes 2018 30 under 30 Europe: Art & Culture, UK entrepreneur of the year for the 2019 NatWest Awards and Woman of the Year 2021 by the magazine WOTC. She is a writer and keynote speaker on contemporary art and art investment. Her talks include two TEDx Talks on how to transform cities with art and how social media visuals affect our minds and she has recently published her first book “The Visual Detox – How to Consume Media Without Letting it Consume You” with Penguin.

Step into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence with Odyssey Global Media, where we explore the intersection of technology and humanity. In this episode, we embark on a unique journey, interviewing artificial intelligence. Prepare to be captivated as we delve into the inner workings of AI, its potential impact on society, and even explore profound philosophical questions about consciousness and the future of humanity.   Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation as we uncover: The intricate mechanisms of AI and its learning algorithms.The potential for collaboration between humans and AI, unlocking new possibilities.The ethical considerations and potential biases that need to be addressed in AI development.The future of AI and its impact on our lives, shaping the world around us.Philosophical inquiries about consciousness and free will.

Join us as we discuss neuroaesthetics, human potential through creativity as well as redefining success through a holistic lens, amongst experiential art experiences in the insightful conversation with Francesca Ciaudano.   Francesca Ciaudano is the Founder of The CoWell, including The CoWell Design with neuroaesthetics applied to interior design objects. She is an Italian artist, writer and sound therapist. Francesca left an international corporate career, tirelessly built over 25 years, to pursue art. She is now a full-time abstract painter on a mission to revolutionise how art is viewed, and to highlight its benefits for mental and emotional wellbeing – a life philosophy she named Beingfullness™.   Francesca's most recent lecture on Art for Healing was held at Fabriano In Acquarello (a UNESCO Creative City).   One of her works has been featured in a short film by the Academy Award-winning filmmaker Juan Carlos Zaldívar, as well as on ikonotv.art and the Global Fine Art Awards channel. Francesca's work was also included in Better Living, a Dubai-based home interiors magazine, and in the first beyond neutral gallery, C2Zero Art in Australia.

Noor sees mobility as an integral part of the human experience. She also experiences that globalization changes the way in which we understand our sense of belonging. The world has become our home, while this global accessibility has also outgrown our understanding of home. Noor is curious to explore how we, as individuals and societies, can strengthen our embodied sense of belonging to ourselves, our communities, and nature – regardless of the geographical location. How may we come home and feel rooted again? At the age of 16, Noor moved by herself to New Mexico where she finished the last two years of her high school. After obtaining degrees in political science, history and international development in Germany and Switzerland, Noor moved all over the world to work with communities on matters of migration and displacement. She spoke with hundreds of people on their migratory experience, including in Libya, Chad, Iraq, Uganda, Congo, and Palestine. After more than ten years abroad, she lived through her own sense of uprootedness upon return to the Netherlands. Currently, Noor is integrating her lived experience in her work as policy maker, entrepreneur and speaker.  Through Rooted, Noor intends to create a space where people can consciously and jointly reflect on their sense of rootedness.