Over the past year, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts have faced severe backlash, especially in the United States, prompting many organizations to quietly abandon their initiatives. Some claim “mission accomplished.” The data says otherwise.

In Episode 5 of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green sits down with Elmira Bayrasli, former diplomat, author, professor, and CEO of Interruptrr, to challenge the notion that DEI was simply a fleeting trend. They explore why inclusion is one of the world’s weakest areas of progress and why abandoning it now poses a severe risk to business and society.

Key takeaways:

• Shocking real-world examples, including failures during 9/11 and October 7th, where the deliberate rejection of women’s perspectives led to catastrophic outcomes.
• Why Elmira thinks the US has made it uniquely difficult for women to rise to the presidency compared to other countries.
• How diverse teams are better at lowering risk and anticipating what could go wrong.
• Elmira shares data on women’s representation in media and policy.
• Elmira details why she started Interruptrr.

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The world got Ukraine wrong. Why was Ukraine underestimated and Russia overestimated for decades? It’s not just a military question, it's a social progress story.

In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green sits down with Orysia Lutsevych, Head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House, to reveal the surprising civic strength that has defined Ukraine's identity and fueled its resilience.

Before the invasion, data from the Global Social Progress Index showed Ukraine was performing well in translating economic growth into strong social outcomes. Lutsevych explains the historical and institutional secrets behind this success, and why the outcome of this war is foundational for shaping our entire global system.

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Let's explore Costa Rica's remarkable social progress and the factors contributing to its success. Our special guest, Jaime Garcia, discusses the historical context, the role of institutions, and the importance of education and health in driving social welfare. The conversation also addresses current challenges and the need for a more equitable distribution of social progress across the country.

The insights shared highlight the significance of political stability, sustainability, and the potential lessons other countries beyond Latin America can learn from Costa Rica's experience.

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Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/

Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more.

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