“Guardianes de Derecho” Podcast: Highlighting the role of law in Managing Global Catastrophic Risks to latam law students

This project was carried out as part of the Carreras con Impacto program during the 14-week mentorship phase. You can find more information about the program in this entry.

Summary:

This project involved the production and dissemination of a Spanish-language podcast to highlight the fundamental role of law in managing catastrophic risks in Latin America. Through an analysis of existing public policies applicable in crisis situations, the project aims to inform and raise awareness among Spanish-speaking law students about the relevance of lawyers in global security, thereby promoting the building of more resilient and secure communities. Since its release on YouTube, there has been a growing interest from the audience in topics related to global catastrophic risks, indicating a latent need for more education and specialization in this field within the region.

The podcast results suggest that there is significant room to continue exploring and developing educational content that not only educates but also inspires future lawyers to actively engage in the creation of risk mitigation policies and strategies. Looking ahead, there is a possibility of expanding the podcast's reach through collaboration with international experts, the creation of additional episodes addressing specific cases in the region, and the development of complementary educational resources that can be used in academic institutions.

Introduction:

In an increasingly interconnected world, information about global catastrophic risks (GCRs) is abundant, but the lack of specialized professionals in this field limits our ability to effectively address these challenges. Despite having access to a vast amount of information, the absence of experts dedicated to the study and management of GCRs creates critical gaps in preparedness and response to catastrophic events. It is essential for legal professionals and other disciplines to become more involved in this field to develop integrated and multidisciplinary approaches that allow for the proper management of these risks.

Recent events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters driven by climate change, and the constant threat of nuclear weapons use, have demonstrated the urgent need for a robust legal framework that facilitates preparedness, prevention, and effective response to these crises. Law plays a fundamental role in the creation of policies and the coordination of global efforts to protect not only the citizens of a country but also the population of the entire planet. Therefore, it is vital that more professionals specialize in the study and application of law in the context of GCRs to strengthen our capacity to face the global challenges ahead.

The project "Guardians of Rights: Exploring Global Catastrophic Risks" was thus conceived with the goal of raising awareness and informing law students and legal professionals about the importance of their role in managing catastrophic risks. Through a podcast format, this project aims to analyze existing public policies, examine the defense of human rights in crisis situations, and foster a deep understanding of how law can contribute to global security.

This podcast seeks not only to educate its audience on the legal and technical aspects of risk management but also to promote critical reflection on the role of law alongside other disciplines such as public health, sustainable environmental development, and international security. The aim was to implement a comfortable and engaging format to make the academic learning process more enjoyable for the audience and to inspire them to specialize in these priority causes.

Through interviews, the project also aspires to create a space for discussion and learning that inspires future lawyers to play an active role in building more resilient and secure communities.

Motivation:

The primary motivation behind this project is to educate and raise awareness among law students, jurists, and lawyers about the importance of studying global catastrophic risks. By offering a different perspective, it aims to demonstrate the opportunities that can arise from these areas of work.

This podcast is created with the purpose of serving as a learning and development tool for legal professionals, enabling them to look beyond borders and understand the indispensable role they play in global security. It does so by interpreting relevant global issues, with the goal of promoting risk preparedness and mitigation through legal knowledge.

The decision to use the podcast format is due to its versatility and accessibility, allowing listeners to consume content anytime and anywhere. Additionally, it has become a highly convenient format for content creators, enabling them to connect with their audience in a more direct, efficient, and dynamic way. Producing it in Spanish is crucial, as there is a significant lack of specialized content on global catastrophic risks in this language. Creating this podcast in Spanish not only facilitates access to this information but also allows legal professionals in Latin America to join the global movement for risk preparedness and mitigation in their own language and cultural context.

Methodology:

The methodology used for this project is based on four main pillars: documentary research, interviews, episode production, and a constant focus on content quality. Each of these components is detailed below, explaining both the process followed and the reasons behind each decision.

1.- Documentary Research

The foundation of our content centers on an exhaustive review of documents, legislation, and relevant reports on global catastrophic risks. This initial step is crucial to ensure that the information presented in the podcast is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant. The documentary review included:

• Academic and Scientific Papers: Academic writings and documents provided a perspective on the impact of global catastrophic risks on the world.
• Reports from International Organizations: Reports produced by organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), among others, provided global-scale data on the topics to be discussed, with the Global Health Security Index being the tool used to limit the countries that would be subject to analysis and comparison.
• National and International Legislation: The analysis of national regulations from Chile and Venezuela allowed for a detailed understanding and comparison of each country’s security mechanisms. Similarly, the study of international regulatory tools, such as the START III Treaty and the International Health Regulations, was fundamental in understanding the management and prevention of risks, leading to an understanding of the applicable legal framework.

2.- Preproduction

Each episode was meticulously planned by defining the topics to be discussed, the objectives of the episode, and the script content, which underwent a series of revisions to ensure clarity and avoid content errors. 

• For the first episode, the subjects of study were defined by selecting two Latin American countries (Chile and Venezuela) with different legislative approaches to health law. This selection allowed for a comparison of their legal systems and the identification of their advantages and disadvantages.
• The second episode was conducted in an interview format, requiring an analysis of the interviewee’s work along with complementary information sources.

3.- Production

The production of the episodes involved creating audiovisual content through the professional recording of the script content. This process was carried out using a HyperX Solocast microphone and interface in a monologue format versus a conversational format. The audio was edited using Adobe Audition.

• Recording: The recording was done using a HyperX Solocast microphone and audio interfaces like Adobe Audition, and the visual material was created with Filmora to ensure high-quality image and sound.
• Interview: To enrich the podcast content and compare audience reception, an interview was conducted with International Relations student Ashley Marte Rosario, who provided valuable insights into risk mitigation in the presence of strategic nuclear weapons. Her recent research focused on understanding the political and social impact generated by Russia’s decision to withdraw from the START III Treaty and its global implications.

4.- Postproduction:

This stage involved editing the previously generated content using tools like Adobe Audition and Filmora, including:

• Audio Cleanup: Removal of background noise, echoes, and other unwanted sounds.
• Sound Quality Enhancement: Adjustments to volume, equalization, and the use of compressors to ensure professional sound quality.
• Insertion of Additional Elements: Addition of background music, sound effects, and transitions to enhance the listening experience.
• Error Correction: Elimination of long pauses, diction errors, and any other imperfections that might distract listeners.
• Visual Content Creation: Development of visuals complementary to the audio to create a video format that can be shared on audiovisual platforms.

5.- Distribution: 

The episodes were released on digital platforms such as YouTube, aiming to reach a wide audience and facilitate free access to the content. The episodes were published over the course of two weeks, with seven days between each release to evaluate their individual performance.

Results

During the development of the "Guardians of Rights: Exploring Global Catastrophic Risks" project, several significant outcomes were achieved in alignment with the proposed objectives. Firstly, two podcast episodes were produced that addressed critical topics such as pandemic prevention and the consequences of nuclear conflicts.

These episodes not only provided a deep and well-founded analysis of global catastrophic risks but also encouraged debate and reflection among listeners. This represents an important step in the mission to raise awareness and educate the audience about the importance of preventing and mitigating risks that threaten humanity.

• The first episode enabled a direct comparison of the protection mechanisms applied in the legislation of Chile and Venezuela in response to COVID-19. Through documentary analysis of each state's manuals and regulations, the goal was to encourage greater intervention in Health Law and Public Health among Latin American countries.
• The first episode also highlighted the importance of adapting health regulations to the specific contexts of each country, thus promoting a more effective and equitable response to public health emergencies.
• The interview with Ashley Marte during the second episode allowed for an understanding of the importance of regulating and limiting strategic nuclear weapons, as well as the indispensable role of three branches of law: Public International Law, International Humanitarian Law, and Environmental Law.

In terms of analyzing the performance of the published content, a total of 176 views were obtained, with 11 total comments and 39 likes. The specific statistics per episode on YouTube are summarized below

The statistics presented in the table above show greater audience engagement with Episode 1, despite Episode 2 featuring more dynamic and easily consumable content thanks to the interview format. This could be due to several factors:

• The content focused on pandemic prevention and its consequences may be more appealing to the audience due to the recent experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, as opposed to content focused on international treaties, which are not widely known.
• Since the first episode serves as an introduction to the channel's content, it is likely to generate more interaction due to the audience's initial curiosity about the content dynamics, especially if the topic is relevant to them.
• It is possible that the first episode was boosted by the YouTube algorithm, given that the channel was new. This could have led to a longer presence in users' feeds or a greater presence in the suggested content by the algorithm.
• The first episode may have been promoted more actively or released at a time when the audience was more receptive to this type of content.

While Episode 1 performed better in terms of total views, the "Likes" percentage relative to views for each video is quite similar, with 22.41% for Episode 1 and 22.03% for Episode 2. This suggests good audience acceptance regardless of the selected format, while also highlighting the importance of distribution strategies to achieve greater reach.

One of the most notable outcomes was the increasing awareness and understanding among law students about the importance of the lawyer's role in managing catastrophic risks. The audience metrics showed a significant increase in the number of subscribers and in content interaction, evidencing a positive impact on the target community. Additionally, the podcast facilitated a space for interdisciplinary discussion, promoting collaborations between professionals from various fields.

These results are consistent with existing literature that emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address global catastrophic risks (Zapata, 2007; OCHA and UNDRR, 2023). The podcast not only helped raise awareness among the audience on these issues but also contributed to highlighting the intersection between law and risk management. The episodes demonstrated that a solid understanding of legal and human rights frameworks is crucial for an effective response to global crises. The interpretation of the results suggests that educational initiatives like this podcast can play a vital role in risk preparedness and mitigation.

Limitations:

One of the biggest challenges in developing the podcast was the difficulty in finding material in Spanish on global catastrophic risks. Most of the available resources are in English, which complicated the task of creating accessible and relevant content for a Spanish-speaking audience. This language barrier not only made research more difficult but also limited the ability to delve into certain critical aspects and offer a broader perspective to listeners.

Another significant limitation was the collection of specific legislative information and documents from the Chilean state. Chile has an extensive library of legislation related to health security mechanisms, which involved a demanding task of selecting and narrowing down the most relevant laws and decrees for the project. This task was especially complex given the volume of available material and required thorough analysis to ensure that only the most pertinent and up-to-date sources were included.

The production and editing of the podcast also involved a series of technical challenges. As a lawyer, my training is not focused on communications and digital marketing, limiting my specialized knowledge in areas such as brand design, audio recording, or video editing. This lack of experience in technical aspects required an additional learning process and the use of various technological resources to achieve the desired quality, which resulted in a greater amount of time dedicated to editing the audiovisual material.

Perspectives:

The "Guardians of Rights: Exploring Global Catastrophic Risks" project has several promising future directions. One possible area for improvement is expanding the podcast's reach to international audiences by incorporating episodes on different states and collaborating with global experts. Additionally, an interactive platform could be developed where listeners can participate in real-time debates, promoting greater engagement and interaction with the audience.

Complementary educational materials, such as study guides and webinars, could also be created to delve deeper into the topics covered in the podcast. This could facilitate more structured and formalized learning for law students and other professionals interested in catastrophic risk management.

We invite the academic and professional community to get involved in this project, contributing their knowledge and experiences to enrich future episodes and expand the podcast's impact. Interdisciplinary collaboration and the exchange of ideas are crucial for developing innovative and effective solutions to global challenges.

Sources:  

• The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). (September 7, 2023). Overview of Disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean 2000 - 2022. https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/world/panorama-de-los-desastres-en-america-latina-y-el-caribe-2000-2022
• Salinas, C., Ulloa, M., Bas, G., Tinoco, R., Torres, J., Sevilla, J., & García, J. (November 24). Report: Latin America and Global Catastrophic Risks: Transforming Risk Management. Improvement in Risk Management Systems, Global Food Crisis, Global Pandemics, AI Risks. https://www.orcg.info/articulos/amrica-latina-y-los-riesgos-catastroficos-globales-transformando-la-gestin-del-riesgo 
• Pan American Health Organization. International Health Regulations 2005. Retrieved from https://www.paho.org/es/temas/reglamento-sanitario-internacional 
• SST and COVID-19. Regulations in Venezuela. Available at: https://www.venamcham.org/sst-y-el-covid-19-normativa-en-venezuela/. Publication date: September 12, 2020.
• Law on the Rights and Duties of People in Health Care. A Bioethical Perspective. Author: Francisco Javier León C. Published in Revista Médica de Chile. Available at: https://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-98872012001100017