Affairs
‘Empathy is nothing without action.’ Jacinda Ardern on compassionate leadership and radicalisation reform
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern discusses what it takes to run a country, from reforming firearms laws in the wake of the 2019 attack on Christchurch to leading with kindness and empathy.
Opinion
Latest
It’s high time to hoist new standards for flag-bearing as expressions of unity, not division
Flags are open to many meanings – let’s not allow small-minded flappers get in the way.
Monocle’s 2025 Soft Power Survey – who is quietly gaining or losing influence in a multipolar world
Which country’s cultural influence grew and whose slumped in the past 12 months? We take a look at six nations.
Is Beirut back from the brink? Despite challenges for the Lebanese government, the city is getting its buzz back
A new government is offering the long-beleaguered city a welcome opportunity for renewal.
Inside Hanaholmen, the secretive Nordic retreat where diplomats shape Europe’s future
On a small island off Helsinki is an institution where key political figures from Finland and Sweden meet to discuss geopolitical issues, in a space away from the pressurised corridors of power.
Can tax breaks create a baby boom? Athens hopes so
Declining birthrates and an exodus of young people have resulted in a hollowing out of Greek family life. Now the government is stepping in to encourage people to have children.
How Toronto is leading the way in the sustainable regeneration of industrial waterfronts
The Canadian city is offering the world a lot to learn from as it ‘renaturalises’ a harbour once used to accomodate an industrial port district.
How Lisbon City Hall is protecting historic businesses across the city
The Portuguese capital is working to preserve and promote traditional retailers through Lojas com História, a municipal programme aimed at protection of cultural identity and urban regeneration.
Umekita Park – Osaka’s newest development proving greenery has a place and purpose in urban environments
Osaka isn’t known for generous green spaces but its latest multiuse development is an exception. Monocle visits the expansive station-connected park.
