Finding Democracy’s Voice: Why Language Still Matters with Gavin Charles

About this episode

Gavin Charles discusses the impact of language and communication on democracy.

In the eleventh episode of Season 3 of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, we sat down with Gavin Charles to discuss how language, storytelling, and strategic communication can shape the way we understand, trust, and sustain democracy. We also examine the power of words to bridge divides, humanize policy, and remind us that democracy is, at its core, a shared conversation. Gavin Charles is the speechwriter and Governance Officer in the Office of the Secretary General at International IDEA . He is a strategist, communicator, and policy thinker whose career has bridged politics, civil society, and international governance. Based in Stockholm, he leads the drafting of speeches and strategic communications for International IDEA’s Secretary General, helping shape the Institute’s global narrative on democracy, governance, and inclusion. Before joining International IDEA in 2022, Gavin worked at the heart of Canada’s foreign policy and development ecosystem, advising the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs in Parliament, leading the policy team at Cooperation Canada, and serving as a Senior Policy Analyst at Public Safety Canada. Across these roles, he has been guided by a common thread…

People in this episode

Guest: Gavin Charles

Topics covered

• language
• storytelling
• strategic communication
• democracy
• trust
• policy

Keywords

• democracy
• language
• communication
• storytelling
• trust
• policy
• governance

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: International IDEA

Places: Canada, Stockholm

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