How do we really listen — to each other, and to the world around us?

In this final episode of season two, host Christine Wilson explores the practice of deep listening — a powerful communication method rooted in empathy, openness, and the desire to understand across divides.

Christine is joined by journalist, media executive and author Emily Kasriel, who developed the Deep Listening methodology. Drawing on her work from across news, conflict resolution and academia, Emily’s new book Deep Listening: Transform Your Relationships with Family, Friends, and Foes offers a practical guide to navigating disagreement and building connection in a noisy, polarised world.

We also hear from Hawraa Ghandour, an English teacher, educational trainer and founder of Media Literacy Lebanon. Hawraa took part in the BBC and British Council’s Crossing Divides deep listening project in Lebanon, an experience that continues to shape her work with students and communities, using media and dialogue to foster understanding.

Together, Emily and Hawraa reflect on the challenges of truly hearing another’s perspectives, and how slowing down, staying curious, and practising empathy, can create the space we need to leave aside our assumptions and bring about positive change.

Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking conversations on culture, communication, and the power of education.

Additional Resources & Links:

Deep Listening: A Transformative Experience - By Tiba Khalifa, 90 Youth Voices Participant, British Council

https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/deep-listening-transformative-experience

Deep listening as an approach to tackle polarisation

https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/deep-listening-approach-tackle-polarisation

Crossing Divides with Deep Listening for BBC100

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-61984236

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What does the future hold for the English language? And how is technology transforming the way we speak, write and connect across borders?

In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson explores how digital culture is reshaping the English language, from the rise of internet slang to the impact of AI, social media, and globalisation on how we communicate.

Christine is joined by renowned linguist and author David Crystal, one of the world’s leading experts on the English language. With more than 100 books to his name – including the landmark Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language – David reflects on how English has evolved over centuries, and what its future might look like in an increasingly digital world.

We also hear from César Bizetto, an English teacher, teacher trainer, and academic director based in São Paulo. With over 20 years of classroom experience, César shares how English language instruction has changed in Brazil, and why he believes teaching English is about more than grammar, it’s about opening doors.

Together, David and César explore how English is shifting across contexts, continents, and generations, and what that means for education, culture, and connection.

Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more global stories on culture, connection, and the power of education.

Additional Resources & Links:

The Future of English research programme: https://www.britishcouncil.org/future-of-english 

The Future of English: in conversation with David Crystal (March 2025)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64HRT797Lsc 

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When girls are educated, communities thrive – but how do we make that a global reality in the digital age?

In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson explores the urgent issue of girls’ education in a rapidly changing world – where access to schooling, digital literacy, and life skills can transform futures and communities.

Christine speaks with Wadi Ben-Hirki, a Nigerian activist and founder of the Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation, who has spent nearly a decade advocating for marginalised girls across Nigeria. From addressing early marriage to supporting school re-entry, Wadi shares how her youth-led organisation empowers young women through education, equality, and opportunity.

We also hear from Diana, an EDGE trainer working under a pseudonym in Myanmar, who was inspired by her mother to pursue a career in education. Through the British Council’s English and Digital for Girls’ Education programme (EDGE), Diana teaches English, life skills and digital literacy to girls from displaced and marginalised communities – helping them rebuild confidence and resilience in the face of conflict and multiple crises.

Together, Wadi and Diana reflect on the power of education to reshape not only individual lives, but entire societies, and what it takes to make that vision a reality.

Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more global stories on culture, connection, and the power of education.

Additional Resources & Links:

The Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation

https://www.instagram.com/wadibenhirkifoundation/

EDGE Programme

https://www.britishcouncil.org/english-assessment/english-programmes/english-language-empowerment/english-digital-girls-education

Schools Connect report: Status of Gender Responsive Inclusive School Practices

https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/status-gender-responsive-inclusive-school-practices-ethiopian-primary-schools-focus

Schools Connect report: Creating more inclusive schooling

https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/creating-more-inclusive-schooling 

Schools Connect report: Barriers to girls’ education – A synthesis of British Council research in Africa

https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/schools-connect-barriers-girls-education 

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Can art be a tool for repair? And what happens when exhibitions themselves move across borders?

In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson dives into the relationship between art, architecture, and place — and how both disciplines are being used to challenge colonial narratives, spark dialogue, and imagine alternative futures.

Christine is joined by writer, artist and curator Rosie Olang’ Odhiambo, who speaks about her collaborative, cross-disciplinary practice and her recent exhibition, In Transit: Under Another Sky, which she co-curated with E.N. Mirembe. First shown in Kampala and Nairobi, and soon opening at the Africa Centre in London, the exhibition weaves together sound, image, and text to explore transience, marginal identities, and shifting geographies.

We also hear from Kabage Karanja, an architect and co-founder of Nairobi’s cave_bureau. Speaking from the British Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale, Kabage reflects on using caves as sites of cultural memory and of decolonial storytelling and his bold vision for architecture as a force of geological repair.

Together, Rosie and Kabage explore what it means to tell stories of place, migration, and resistance — and how visual arts and architecture can both reflect and reshape the world we live in.

Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking discussions on culture, connection, and the power of education.

Additional Resources & Links:

British Council Arts

https://arts.britishcouncil.org/

UK at the Venice Biennale

https://venicebiennale.britishcouncil.org/

cave_bureau

https://www.cave.co.ke/

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What are the benefits — and the ethical challenges — of relying on EdTech in crisis environments? Can technology offer true educational equality when access is still uneven?

For many children around the world, the start of the learning day is marked not by the opening of a classroom door, but of a laptop. As education increasingly moves online, technology has become both a bridge and a barrier — especially for young learners living through conflict.

In this episode of Our World, Connected, we explore the transformative role of educational technology in some of the world's most challenging environments. With millions of children living in conflict zones today—almost double the number from just a few decades ago—access to education has taken on new urgency and new forms. Host Christine Wilson speaks with Dr. Koula Charitonos, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Educational Technology at the Open University, to unpack the promises, limitations, and ethical complexities of EdTech, particularly for learners facing extraordinary hardships.

We also hear from Olga Pavlenko, a senior teacher and teacher trainer based in Kyiv, Ukraine, who shares her first-hand experiences teaching through a full-scale invasion — and how technology became her students' lifeline to learning. Together, Olga and Koula unpack the realities of digital education in conflict zones and refugee camps, from resilience and connection to the risks of surveillance and digital colonialism.

Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking discussions on culture, connection, and the power of education.

Additional Resources & Links:

English and Empowerment

https://www.britishcouncil.org/english-assessment/english-programmes/english-language-empowerment 

Supporting schools and teachers teaching refugee children 

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/case-studies-insights-and-research/supporting-schools-and-teachers-teaching-refugee 

Understanding Ukrainian young people’s current concerns, needs, and hopes: Looking ahead to a future rebuilding of Ukraine

https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/concerns-needs-hopes-ukraine 

Understanding the effectiveness of professional development opportunities for teachers delivered remotely

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/case-studies-insights-and-research/understanding-effectiveness-professional 

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/education-development/learning/the-open-sanctuary-hub

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How do we protect young people in a digital-first world? And who’s responsible for protecting kids online?

From social media to AI, technology is evolving faster than policy, and young people are at the center of this digital revolution. While the internet offers incredible opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection, it also exposes children to risks that we are still learning to navigate. So how can we ensure young people develop the digital skills they need, whilst staying safe online?

In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson delves into the complexities of growing up in an era of screen ubiquity. She is joined by Baroness Beeban Kidron, a leading advocate for children’s digital rights, crossbench peer in the House of Lords, and founder of the 5Rights Foundation. Together, they explore the urgent need for digital regulation, the responsibilities of governments and tech companies, and the impact of online platforms on young people’s well-being.

We also hear from 17-year-old Nicole Valeria Ruiz Valencia, a data engineering and AI student from Colombia. Nicole shares how coding transformed her perspective on the world, empowering her to solve real-world problems. But she also reflects on the dangers of the digital sphere and the importance of awareness in navigating online spaces safely.

Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking discussions on culture, connection, and the power of education.

Additional Resources & Links:

Digital cultural relations: a pathway to trust? https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/digital-cultural-relations-pathway-trust

Skills for inclusive digital participation: https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/non-formal-education/current-programmes/skills-inclusive-digital-participation

5Rights Foundation: https://5rightsfoundation.com/about-us/ 

What is the Colombia Programme? - https://mintic.gov.co/colombiaprograma/847/w3-propertyvalue-916000.html

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How do international education and research shape global relationships? And why do countries invest in knowledge diplomacy?

From pioneering scientific collaborations to cross-border academic partnerships, the exchange of knowledge has long been a bridge between nations. But beyond the benefits for students and universities, how does knowledge diplomacy serve national interests, foster trust, and enhance global influence?

In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson explores how international higher education, research, and innovation contribute to diplomacy and soft power. How do universities balance national and global interests? And what role do researchers play in shaping how nations are perceived on the world stage?

Christine is joined by Professor ‘Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President of International, Engagement and Service at King’s College London, and founding Director of the African Leadership Centre. With a career dedicated to peace, leadership, and global collaboration, ‘Funmi shares her insights on the intersection of education and international cooperation, the importance of public-facing research, and the future of inclusive and impactful partnerships.

We also hear from hydrologist and environmental engineer Saumya Srivastava, a current British Council Women in STEM Postdoctoral Fellow at Imperial College London. Saumya shares her journey from India to the UK, her work in water system modelling, and how international academic mobility has shaped her confidence, collaborations, and perspective on knowledge diplomacy.

Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking discussions on culture, connection, and the power of education.

• https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/kno.pdf

• https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/he-science/our-work/higher-education-partnerships 

• https://www.africanleadershipcentre.org/

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How does film shape global narratives and foster understanding? And how can filmmakers navigate the challenges of representation?

Whether it’s an iconic sci-fi opening that transports us to a galaxy far, far away or a documentary that reshapes the way we see the world, storytelling through film has an unparalleled power to connect diverse people across borders and cultures.

In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson explores the role of film as a tool for cultural exchange, national identity, and social change. Can film help amplify the voices of so-called ‘marginalised communities’? What are the poetics of film-making?

Christine is joined by Noé Mendelle, a documentary filmmaker and founder of the Scottish Documentary Institute. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Noé has dedicated her career to telling untold stories and mentoring emerging filmmakers through initiatives like the Stories documentary workshop, a collaboration with the British Council. Together, they discuss the power of documentary filmmaking, the intersection of truth and storytelling, and the impact of film on cultural relations.

We also hear from queer rights activist and storyteller Bisi Alimi, founder of Vengiance Productions. Bisi talks about why he’s made it his mission to bring authentic queer African stories to our screens and the challenges of securing funding for underrepresented voices in the industry.

Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking discussions on culture, connection, and the power of art.

• Noé Mendelle - Scottish Documentary Institute

• Noé Mendelle | Close:Up Edinburgh

• Noé Mendelle Interview: Bridging the Gap, Past & Present

• Vengiance Productions

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This week, we examine what it means to think long-term and act as ‘good ancestors’ for future generations. How do the choices we make today shape the world of tomorrow? And how can governments, businesses, and individuals take responsibility for ensuring a sustainable and equitable future?

Host Christine Wilson is joined by Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, to discuss the groundbreaking Well-being of Future Generations Act and how Wales is pioneering future-focused policymaking. That is, a way of thinking, governing and taking decisions that meets people's needs ‘in the here and now’, without causing long-term irreversible damage. Together, they explore the balance between sustainability and economic growth, the role of international collaboration, and what it truly means to be globally responsible.

We also hear from Sarah Reay, Climate Change Manager at ICAEW and Director at the UK Youth Climate Coalition, who highlights the passion young people have for sustainability and the challenges they face in influencing policy.

As global discussions on sustainability gain momentum, how can the UK lead by example? What impact could a Future Generations Act have if expanded across the country? And how can we ensure that young voices are not just heard, but truly influence the policies of the future?

Listen to Our World, Connected for more thought-provoking conversations on culture, connection, and empowerment.

Further Reading:

Next Generation UK Research

Global Perceptions Survey 2023

Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

UK Youth Climate Coalition

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In this episode of Our World, Connected, we explore the concept of soft power—what it is, how it differs from hard power, and why it’s crucial in today’s interconnected yet fractured world. From the staggering reach of K-pop to the global legacy of the Olympics, soft power shapes perceptions, builds trust, and strengthens both high level international relationships, as well as everyday community interactions.

Joining host Christine Wilson is Professor J.P. Singh, Distinguished University Professor at George Mason University and an expert in international diplomacy, trade, and cultural influence. Together, they unpack the mechanics of soft power, the ways nations wield it, and its evolving role in geopolitics: focusing on values of attraction and reciprocity, rather than coercion and dominance.

We also hear from Bill Morris, international event specialist and former director of culture, education, and ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics, who shares firsthand insights on how large-scale events serve as catalysts for national identity, social cohesion, and cross-cultural dialogue. 

With growing global tensions, rising nationalism, and the rapid evolution of digital communication, soft power is more relevant than ever. It holds the space for finding commonalities across geo-political borders, whilst at the same time celebrating our cultural and artistic diversity. What does the future hold for soft power in an era of AI, misinformation, and shifting alliances? And how can the UK’s new Soft Power Council harness culture, creativity, and diplomacy for national and global benefit?

Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking discussions on culture, connection, and global influence.

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