ParlAmericas Podcast

Welcome to the ParlAmericas Podcast.

In this episode, we explore the intersection of climate action and public policy, with a focus on the importance of tailored communication strategies to engage diverse constituencies, as well as address public skepticism and declining trust, with a view to strengthening sustained support for climate action.

You will hear from Professor Barbara Leckie, Academic Director of Re.Climate: Centre for Climate Communication and Engagement, who outlines five common challenges in climate communication and presents practical strategies for parliamentarians to navigate them and foster meaningful connections. She emphasizes the importance of using storytelling, engaging in focused and constructive conversations, amplifying trusted voices, avoiding overused imagery, and helping people make sense of complex issues by relating them to their everyday lives.

This episode was recorded during the virtual meeting titled Communicating with Constituents about Climate: Dispelling Myths and Taking Action, part of the COP30 series, held on December 12, 2025. Please find the meeting content available at the following link.

La innovación y el crecimiento resiliente requieren marcos regulatorios adecuados, instituciones capaces y actores preparados para identificar oportunidades, asumir riesgos e invertir en el desarrollo de largo plazo.

En este episodio escuchará a Juan Fernando Londoño Osorio, asesor de la Vicepresidencia Corporativa del Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe - CAF, quien reflexiona sobre el papel de los parlamentos en la creación de condiciones para fortalecer los ecosistemas de innovación en las Américas y el Caribe.

Su intervención aborda la importancia de diseñar regulación inteligente, generar incentivos adecuados, superar fallas de mercado, fortalecer capacidades institucionales y promover la convergencia entre sectores productivos, educativos e institucionales.

El episodio también analiza los riesgos del exceso regulatorio y del cortoplacismo, así como la necesidad de que los parlamentos fortalezcan sus capacidades de prospectiva y control político para contribuir a la coordinación de políticas públicas y a la construcción de respuestas más integrales frente a los desafíos económicos, tecnológicos y sociales del futuro.

Este episodio fue grabado durante la 22ª Asamblea Plenaria de ParlAmericas y el 10º Encuentro de la Red de Parlamento Abierto, titulados “Liderazgo parlamentario para la prosperidad compartida: promoviendo el comercio, la innovación y la seguridad en un mundo en transformación”, celebrados en Ottawa, Canadá, del 19 al 22 de mayo de 2026. Por favor, consulte el contenido de la reunión en el siguiente enlace.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly shaping economic transformation, competitiveness, public services, and the future of work. At the same time, it raises important questions about trust, skills, inclusion, data protection, and the role of governments in guiding technological change.

In this episode, Scott Bradley, Vice-President of Government Relations at OpenText, discusses how countries in the Americas and the Caribbean can participate meaningfully in emerging innovation while addressing the broader impacts of AI on societies and labour markets.

His intervention explores public concern around artificial intelligence, the need to build digital capacity, and the role of governments in demonstrating trusted and practical uses of AI. He also highlights the importance of starting with small, useful applications that solve real problems before scaling more complex projects.

The episode also examines data sovereignty and the need for countries to protect their most critical information while continuing to benefit from global innovation. Bradley reflects on hybrid models that allow countries to remain open and competitive while building secure domestic systems and protecting sensitive data. The conversation concludes with a reflection on national AI strategies as a legislative and policy priority. Bradley emphasizes the importance of protecting data, building trust in AI systems, supporting responsible government adoption, and ensuring that AI remains human-centred, with people actively involved in how these systems are designed and used.

This episode was recorded during the 22nd ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly and 10th Gathering of the Open Parliament Network, titled “Parliamentary Leadership for Shared Prosperity: Advancing Trade, Innovation, and Security in a Changing World,” held in Ottawa, Canada, from May 19 to 22, 2026. Please find the meeting content available at the following link.

Las juventudes emprendedoras desempeñan un papel clave en la innovación, la participación económica y el desarrollo a largo plazo en las Américas y el Caribe. Sin embargo, muchas personas jóvenes continúan enfrentando barreras para transformar sus ideas en oportunidades sostenibles, incluyendo el acceso a financiamiento, redes, formación, apoyo institucional y recursos.

En este episodio escuchará a Valerie Lorena, directora ejecutiva del Young Americas Business Trust, quien reflexiona sobre cómo construir ecosistemas de innovación más accesibles e inclusivos para jóvenes emprendedoras y emprendedores. Su intervención aborda la importancia de fortalecer la confianza, promover alianzas entre gobiernos, sector privado, inversionistas e instituciones de desarrollo, y crear marcos de apoyo sostenidos en el tiempo.

El episodio también destaca la necesidad de simplificar procesos, facilitar la formalización de emprendimientos, crear ventanillas únicas y aprovechar herramientas como la inteligencia artificial y la digitalización para ampliar oportunidades. Estos esfuerzos pueden contribuir a que la innovación se traduzca en mayor inclusión, crecimiento económico y mejora de la calidad de vida.

Este episodio fue grabado durante la 22ª Asamblea Plenaria de ParlAmericas y el 10º Encuentro de la Red de Parlamento Abierto, titulados “Liderazgo parlamentario para la prosperidad compartida: promoviendo el comercio, la innovación y la seguridad en un mundo en transformación”, celebrados en Ottawa, Canadá, del 19 al 22 de mayo de 2026. Por favor, consulte el contenido de la reunión en el siguiente enlace.

In a context of rapid change and global uncertainty, countries in the Americas and the Caribbean are looking for ways to strengthen innovation, competitiveness, and long-term economic opportunity.

In this episode, Marta C. Blackwell, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Council for the Americas, shares a business perspective on international trade and commercial engagement across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Her intervention highlights the importance of collaboration among governments, the private sector, and civil society in building stronger innovation ecosystems. She also reflects on trade diversification as an opportunity for growth, the need to move beyond old approaches, and the value of practical, applied, and useful tools that can help businesses and countries respond to emerging challenges.

The episode also explores how regional dialogue can support domestic innovation ecosystems by helping translate shared learning into tools, access, partnerships, investment opportunities, and platforms for financing and access to new markets.

This episode was recorded during the 22nd ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly and 10th Gathering of the Open Parliament Network, titled “Parliamentary Leadership for Shared Prosperity: Advancing Trade, Innovation, and Security in a Changing World,” held in Ottawa, Canada, from May 19 to 22, 2026. Please find the meeting content available at the following link.