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Roundtables

The Mantle provides a forum for the next generation of leaders, artists, innovators, and visionaries to express their opinions and ideas. The Mantle encourages emerging voices from around the world to participate in the shaping of social and political discourse. The Mantle critiques popular and influential international books, literature, film, and elements of society and culture, as well as hosting blogs and virtual roundtable discussions on timely political questions.

Some issues require more space to fully flesh out. Hence, the virtual roundtable, The Mantle’s flagship element wherein emerging thinkers from a variety of backgrounds debate and discuss the merits of a given question. The intention of the roundtable is two-fold: to provide a deeper space for young intellectuals to explore a topic, and to further and stimulate the general discourse of a particular subject.

For the Sake of Others

In The Mantle's fourth virtual roundtable, artists and allies answer the question, "What is the role of the artist in a conflict zone?" The question is vexing, but becomes more interesting when one considers that "conflict" can take many forms. Revolution, war, ecological destruction, and the struggle to define the artist's role in society are the types of conflicts addressed in this fascinating discussion. Shaun Randol moderates.

In The Mantle's third virtual roundtable, four talented musicians from around the world tackle the deceptively simple question, "What is the role of the musician in a conflict zone?" Stretching over five countries on three continents and through conflict of various guises, the musicians in this discussion bring unique experiences—and passion—to the conversation. All agree, however, that in the face of adversity, the musician cannot sit idly by. Shaun Randol moderates. A soundtrack accompanies the discussion.

In The Mantle's second virtual roundtable, three acclaimed authors and poets from around the world ponder the weighty question, what is the role of the writer in a conflict zone? With intimate knowledge of the trauma and mental anguish so many writers face when laboring in the face of adversity, the participants vary in their approach to the question. Yet all three agree that the human experience never dulls the urge of a writer to engage the situation at hand, and to report on their role amidst hostilities. Shaun Randol moderates the discussion.

The United Nations' doctrine on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) was adopted in 2005 at a UN world summit. Its purpose, to protect civilians from mass atrocities, is commendable. R2P calls on states to keep their populations safe, but what about in instances where states are functionally weak or non-existent? On whom does responsibility to protect vulnerable populations fall? In this inaugural virtual roundtable, Marie Mainil moderates a vibrant panel discussion between four emerging experts in this field who grapple with the complexities of this question, and the R2P doctrine as a whole.

The MANTLE newsletter

Roundtables

For the Sake of Others

Future Weapons

Pens and Swords

Whose Responsibility To Protect?

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