Big and Bittersweet Changes in Store for 2023
The new year is upon us, bringing with it opportunities for reflection, gratitude, and of course – change. Here at Spheres of Influence, we are kicking off 2023 with some big, exciting, and also bittersweet changes. First, I will be stepping down as executive director. This was an incredibly difficult decision, as the last two…
Navigating Daily Life: A Brief & Effective Guide to Seeing a Specialist
This article continues the story of “One Woman’s Experience Navigating Disability, Doctors, and Disappointment,” focusing on communication barriers in patient-physician interactions and relationships.
Concerns over Greenwashing and Gentrification Surround Upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics
Despite progressive promises, local residents and activists worry that the Paris Olympics will cause more harm than good.
The Civil Resistance Against Foreign Military Intervention in Haiti
Widespread demonstrations against Western military intervention have erupted across Haiti for a Haitian-led solution to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
COP27: Where We’ve Come from and Where We’re Going
For three decades, the United Nations has demonstrated its commitment to climate change action in the form of an annual meeting called the Conference of Parties, or COP. This November 6-18, almost 200 countries are convening in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt to negotiate consequential decisions on climate commitments. Since the first UN COP in 1992,…
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Human Rights
Why Has Canada’s Policy on Disastrous Mining Operations in Latin America Not Changed?
Despite Trudeau’s promises to regulate Canadian coal mining in Latin America, human rights violations continue due to profit, lobbying, and apathy.
Environment
The Arctic Trade War and the Environmental Fallout in Canada’s North
The climate crisis will make the Arctic more accessible to economic development, but at what cost to locals, the environment, and global geopolitics?
Our Voices
Tatheer Tariq
Staff Writer
Tatheer is a Pakistani-Canadian Political Science student at the University of Calgary. More »
Light Naing
Editor
Light (he/they) is a second-year Media, Information and Technoculture student at Western University. More »
Danica Torrens
Senior Writer
Danica Torrens (she/her) is a fourth-year student at UBC pursuing a BA in Political Science and Middle East Studies. More »
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Social Justice
Rojava’s Last Stand: How the International Community failed a Burgeoning Democracy
Once backed by US troops in the Syrian Civil War, Rojava could now find itself surrounded by two hostile state militaries – a consequence of the International Community appeasing dictatorships over democracies.
Who are we?
Spheres of Influence is a non-profit digital publication dedicated to explaining and unpacking global affairs in an accessible way while highlighting underreported issues. We are entirely volunteer-based and youth-led and work to amplify marginalized voices and provide opportunities for youth to gain experience in journalism and global affairs.