Past Events

A new Steven Spielberg film titled _The Post,_ called an "Ode to Journalism" by _The New Yorker_, takes us back to the the 1971 battle between the Press and the U.S. government over the leaked Pentagon Papers that outline America's involvement in the Viet Nam conflict. In anticipation of the film, news editors who saw the real drama as it unfolded met recently at Northeastern University to discuss that time in history, how they advised on Spielberg's take, and the legal implications for today's journalists in the ongoing struggle between the media and President Trump. (Photo: Matt Storin)

Spurred by the reporting at NECIR comes this conversation about wrongful imprisonment. An in-depth panel of experts representing diverse viewpoints consider: What does society owe the wrongfully imprisoned? How many other innocent people might currently be serving time? Victor Rosario of Lowell was convicted for an arson that killed eight people in 1982. Rosario’s advocates questioned the evidence and, after investigative reporters shed light on his case, prosecutors abandoned efforts last month to keep him in prison — but not until he spent three decades there.

At a time when confidence in institutions and governments is at an all-time low, there has been a surge in the growth of shared economy companies like Airbnb, Uber and Zipcar. Rachel Botsman writes about and researches how technology is transforming trust and what this means for life, work and business. In her new book, "[Who Can You Trust?](https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/304270/who-can-you-trust/ "book title")", Botsman investigates these new trends and notes a huge shift in trust away from institutions towards individuals, in areas as diverse as dating to banking, from politics to child rearing. Photo:[ sakyphoto (Own work)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carpooling.jpg "") [CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Consider some of the differences in health statistic outcomes between races in the U.S., such as infant mortality rates, populations living with asthma or diabetes. Add to that data on which populations suffer in tenuous living conditions or lack good public transit to health facilities, and you can perceive how systemic racism contributes to health disparities. In its third annual Anne Bonnyman Symposium, members and friends of Trinity Church explore these issues and seek to develop specific ways to create positive change in the city of Boston and beyond. State Representative Jeffrey Sánchez, Chairman of the Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee, delivers the keynote speech to begin a day of talks to consider the following: - Access to quality health care and services - Impact of legislation and education on disparities in health - Faith and spirituality in personal and systemic well-being - Wellness and healthy choices - Racism as trauma - Violence as a public health issue Photo: [U.S. Air Force airmen from the 133rd and 148th Medical Group, Minnesota Air National Guard,](http://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/Media-Center/Art/igphoto/2001778449/ "")

When you hear the term "space" do you think of aliens or the cramped urban landscape of Boston? At BostonTalks, local architects and astrophysicists cover both ideas of space. Curiosity Desk's Edgar B Herwick III hosts a discussion of space that includes architectural designer Aeron Hodges on living small, Emily O'Neil on the arts community in Fort Point, and molecular astrophysicist Clara Sousa-Silva considering if we share the universe with other life. (Image: [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/sky-earth-space-working-2156/ "Pexels"))

As we witness an outpouring of public expression about racial differences in the news and via social media, we sense a tension over the nature of lawful civic engagement and around the obligations between citizens and their government. Young adults especially are raising fundamental questions about the responsiveness of American democracy. As part of its mission, the Museum of African American History will use this forum to provide opportunities for people to engage in constructive dialogue about civil and human rights issues. The conversation with Joy Reid, political analyst for MSNBC and host of “AM Joy,” and Jelani Cobb, Professor of Journalism at Columbia University, will be moderated by Callie Crossley, host of Under the Radar with Callie Crossley on WGBH Radio. In view of the current social climate in this country, MAAH will produce a series of panel discussions entitled _Millennium Conversation: Race in the Public Dialogue_ through which we are asking activists, journalists, and academic and business leaders to address the current societal issues.

Directly after the [2017 UN Conference on Climate Change in Bonn](https://www.cop23.de/en/ "2017 UN Conference on Climate Change in Bonn"), Joel Clement, environmental scientist and former employee of the Department of the Interior, shares his story about resigning and filing a whistleblower complaint against the Trump Administration's actions of suddenly relocating over 50 employees. Following Clement's account is a conversation about climate change policy with environmental scientists H. Curtis Spalding, Professor at Brown University, and Andrew Rosenberg, Director for Science and Democracy at [Union of Concerned Scientists](http://www.ucsusa.org/ "Union of Concered Scientists"). This talk is moderated by Timothy Weiskeli. (Image: [Flicker](https://www.flickr.com/photos/38709469@N08/8699594602 "Flicker")/Sébastien Duyck/CC BY-ND 2.0)

In this part of the [WGBH 7th annual Innovation IdeaLab,](http://forum-network.org/series/future-tense-future-perfect-2017-wgbh-innovation-idea-lab/ "series link") explore the Future of Nature with Biomimicry Institute’s Janine Benyus, US Navy Admiral/climate expert David Titley, and Conservationist Harvey Locke. In November 2017, the Innovation IdeaLab explored new ideas from thought leaders, scientists and grassroots activists presenting to WGBH documentary producers from national television programs, children’s programs, digital initiatives, radio/broadband series, independent public media producers and interested foundation representatives. Day One began with The Brain Beat: Building Children’s Brains, moderated by journalist Arun Rath. Day Two offered sessions on the Future of Nature, Future of Work, Future of Equity: Engaging New Voices, and Future of Cities, moderated by journalists Miles O’Brien and Kara Miller.

In this portion of [the 7th annual Innovation IdeaLab](http://forum-network.org/series/future-tense-future-perfect-2017-wgbh-innovation-idea-lab/ "series link"), titled "Future of Equity: Engaging New Voices" we hear from **The Message Movement’s** Juma Inniss, **Climate Justice Alliance** Angela Adrar, **Thunder Valley/Oglala Lakota Nation** community organizer Nick Tilsen, and youth evangelical climate activist Kyle Meyaard-Schaap. In November 2017, the Innovation IdeaLab explored new ideas from thought leaders, scientists and grassroots activists presenting to WGBH documentary producers from national television programs, children’s programs, digital initiatives, radio/broadband series, independent public media producers and interested foundation representatives. Day One began with The Brain Beat: Building Children’s Brains, moderated by journalist Arun Rath. Day Two offered sessions on the Future of Nature, Future of Work, Future of Equity: Engaging New Voices, and Future of Cities, moderated by journalists Miles O’Brien and Kara Miller. Photo: _Climate Justice Alliance_

[The 7th annual WGBH Innovation IdeaLab](http://forum-network.org/series/future-tense-future-perfect-2017-wgbh-innovation-idea-lab/ "series link") talk on the Future of Jobs and Work features MIT’s Andrew McAfee, National Domestic Worker Alliance’s Palak Shah, and New America’s Kristin Sharp In November 2017, the Innovation IdeaLab explored new ideas from thought leaders, scientists and grassroots activists presenting to WGBH documentary producers from national television programs, children’s programs, digital initiatives, radio/broadband series, independent public media producers and interested foundation representatives. Day One began with The Brain Beat: Building Children’s Brains, moderated by journalist Arun Rath. Day Two offered sessions on the Future of Nature, Future of Work, Future of Equity: Engaging New Voices, and Future of Cities, moderated by journalists Miles O’Brien and Kara Miller.