Our World, Connected

“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” The words of Oscar Wilde set the stage for this episode, where we are examining the power of the theatre to inspire and connect across borders. 

In this episode, we’re specifically looking at the concept of identity, in particular national identity and national culture, and how this is played out on stage, by examining the role of national theatre and telling a nation's story both at home and in the wider world. 

Host Christine Wilson is joined in the studio by Jackie Wylie. Jackie has been the Artistic Director and Chief Executive at the National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) since 2017. We also travel to Argentina where we hear from Rubén Otero, who is a naval veteran of the South Atlantic conflict between the UK and Argentina. Rubén participated in the play, Minefield, which brought together veterans from both sides to explore the conflict and its impact.

In the conversation, both Christine and Jackie speak about the origins of NTS from its early days in a newly devolved Scotland, and how it has evolved to articulate the diverse experiences of Scots from across the country, as well as represent Scotland on the world stage. They talk about the magic of the collective experience for the audience, and how the artform continues to adapt to engage theatregoers in our fast paced world.

Rubén illustrates the power of drama in his telling of the story of making the play Minefield, in particular the experience of sharing the stage with men who were once seen as enemies. 

This episode invites you to be part of the conversation and consider how we can better connect with each other, whatever the context.

Follow British Council Research and Insight:

Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish 

Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight 

Welcome to the new series of Our World, Connected. We’re starting our second season by looking at the idea of ‘connection’. And we hope that the fact you are listening to this podcast is because you are interested in connecting with the wider world. And what’s the most fundamental form of connection? Communication.

In this episode, we’re looking specifically at communication during conflict. We’re investigating how both traditional and newer media platforms can help and hinder people in understanding their communities and contexts, as well as how arts and creativity can bring people together, promote dialogue, support conflict resolution and ultimately foster peace. 

Host Christine Wilson is joined in the studio by Larisa Halilovic. Larisa is a consultant, and is currently the Team Leader for the UK-Government funded programme Western Balkans Media for Change. We also travel to Sri Lanka’s capital city Colombo, to hear from Sandev Handy, a senior curator at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka. Throughout 2024, he has been working with an EU-funded programme, implemented by the British Council, called Supporting Effective Dispute Resolution (SEDR).

In their conversation, Christine and Larisa talk in depth about issues such as communicating through different languages, managing community tensions, and the art of storytelling in sensitive situations. They also touch on the impact of new technologies, such as AI, on communications, particularly the impact on the trust readers and listeners have in what they see and hear. 

Sandev shares his experiences, and a powerful memory from a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, USA, where he noticed how a painting had spontaneously prompted a conversation about history and slavery. He recounts what he learnt when it came to using the arts to enable discussion around challenging issues in Sri Lanka, such as land rights, as it emerged from a period of conflict. 

This episode invites you to be part of the conversation and to consider how we can better connect with each other, whatever the context.

Follow British Council Research and Insight:

Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish 
Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight

Season 2 of Our World, Connected is here! Over 12 episodes, we’ll be building on the discussions we had in season 1, with a new collection of conversations and stories exploring our complex and interconnected world. Topics will include considering the role of local and independent media in supporting societies dealing with conflict, the potential of theatre, film and art to build bridges across borders, and how researchers and scientists are establishing intercultural connections through their work. And what do we mean when we talk about soft power? 

Join Christine Wilson, Director of Research and Insight at the British Council, and her fascinating guests from countries including Brazil, India, Libya, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and the UK. 

If you’re a global citizen, or you’re just curious about the world in 2025, make sure to follow Our World, Connected wherever you get your podcasts to be the first to listen to the new season.

What is needed to enable individuals and communities to have control over their lives and futures? In this mini episode of Our World, Connected, Christine Wilson, Director of Research and Insight at the British Council, explores the theme of empowerment by reflecting on insights shared by a wide range of speakers from Season 1.

The episode investigates three critical pathways to empowerment: access to education, the use of technology, and intergenerational cooperation. From the transformative power of education and youth participation, to the nature of technology as both a tool for empowerment and a potential source of inequality, Christine and her guests examine the opportunities and challenges ahead.

This is the final instalment of the 3-part mini-series we’re putting together as we prepare for Season 2 of Our World, Connected, coming in January 2025.

Episodes Featured:

Culture and Education: Seeds of Hope in Times of Conflict

How to ensure gender equality for the next generation?

The power of language in difficult times

What does AI mean for equality and inclusion?

Youth skills in a rapidly changing world

Are young people disengaged? The real story behind youth participation.

The British Council in an evolving world: reflections on 90 years of building connections

Follow British Council Research and Insight:

Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish 

Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight 

What role does language play in uniting us across borders and cultures? In this mini episode of Our World, Connected, Christine Wilson, Director of Research and Insight at the British Council, explores connection through language, examining how it serves as a vital tool for building bonds, fostering empathy, and bridging cultural divides.

Drawing on insights from language education experts Harry Kuchah Kuchah and Marie Delaney, Christine explores how English serves as a bridge for global communication and highlights the importance of preserving linguistic diversity, protecting minority languages and embracing multilingualism. From the classrooms of the UK to the Zaatari Refugee Camp, these stories reveal how language can empower, dignify, and inspire greater understanding across communities.

This is the second of a 3-part mini-series we’re putting together as we prepare for Season 2 of Our World, Connected, coming this January.

Episodes Featured:

What role does English play in our multilingual world?

The power of language in difficult times

Follow British Council Research and Insight:

Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish 

Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight 

What does culture mean to you? Is it the art we create, the traditions we carry, or the values we hold dear? In this mini episode of Our World, Connected, Christine Wilson, Director of Research and Insight at the British Council, delves deeper into the multifaceted nature of culture and its incredible power to connect, inspire, and heal. 

Christine revisits some of the most impactful conversations from the first season, featuring insights from Alexandra Xanthaki, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, Scott Orr, a data scientist from the UCL Institute of Sustainable Heritage, David Watson, the Executive Director of Audiences and Media at National Museums Liverpool, and Hala Nur, a British Council colleague working in Sudan. Together, they discuss how culture transcends borders, linking people through shared values, language, art, and traditions. From the Eurovision Song Contest's unifying magic to the profound connection between culture and the environment, we unpack how culture shapes our world and fosters a deep sense of belonging.

This is the first of a 3-part mini-series we’re putting together as we prepare for Season 2 of Our World, Connected, coming this January.

Episodes Featured:

Is culture the missing key to global progress?

United by music: Lessons from Eurovision 2023

Climate Change and Cultural Heritage: Protecting our Past and Future

Culture and Education: Seeds of Hope in Times of Conflict

Follow British Council Research and Insight:

Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish 

Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight 

For 90 years, the British Council has been creating connections between the UK and the rest of the world. Although much has changed over the decades, its central aim of bringing people together to support peace and prosperity remains crucial.

In the final episode of our first season, host Christine Wilson is joined by Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council, to explore the main themes from the series—culture, connection, and empowerment— and offer insights into how the British Council builds bridges at a global scale through its work in arts and culture, education and languages.

Together, Christine and Scott reflect on the organisation’s 90-year history, how it has evolved to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world, and why the British Council’s work is as relevant now as it was in the 1930s. And looking to the future, they discuss how the British Council can support the next generation to continue creating connections to build a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Dive deeper: 

Digital Timeline – Celebrating 90 years of the British Council | British Council

Cultural Relations Collection series – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/research-series/cultural-relations-collection 

Next Generation Research series – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/research-series/next-generation

Follow British Council Research and Insight:

Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe 

 Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish 

 Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight 

In this episode, Christine examines the rapid growth of transnational education (TNE), where students can access international learning without leaving their home countries. TNE comes in many forms, including joint degree programs, online courses, universities opening campuses abroad, and partnerships between universities across different nations. 

Christine is joined by Attorney Lily Freida Milla, Director of International Affairs Service at the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) in the Philippines. An experienced policymaker, Lily shares her insights into how TNE is transforming education in the Philippines and beyond. Christine and Lily discuss what makes international partnerships successful and how TNE benefits students, institutions, and the countries involved. 

We also hear from filmmaker Amanda Mojilip – a TNE alumna from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, whose studies empowered her to become a voice for indigenous communities.  

Join Christine and guests as they explore how transnational education is helping to make our world better connected.  

Dive deeper: 

Article: Toward an Improved Shared Understanding of TNE - https://tinyurl.com/TNE-shared-understanding  

Our report on the value of transnational education partnerships - https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/he-science/knowledge-centre/transnational-education/value-transnational-education  

Our report on managing risk and responsible transnational education partnerships - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/managing-risk-developing-responsible-transnational-education-partnerships  

Discover Amanda’s work in film - https://tinyurl.com/amanda-mojilip-playlist   

Follow British Council Research and Insight:

Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe 

 Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish 

 Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight

Almost half of the world’s population will be voting in elections in 2024. Young people, however, are less likely to join this large group of voters than older generations. Many believe this is because young people are less interested or engaged in politics and society.

In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson challenges these assumptions about youth participation and reveals a more optimistic picture, backed by British Council Next Generation research.

Christine speaks with two young changemakers: Disty Winata, an Indonesian activist with experience at the G20, the UN, and the British Council’s 90 Youth Voices for The Future programme, and Dhari Al-Malih, a geological engineer from Iraq who refuses to let violence define his home country and shares his story of using science for social good.

Join Christine and guests as they explore the innovative ways in which young people engage with societal issues, and ask: how can we better support young people and amplify their voices in policy decisions that will shape their futures?

Learn more about this topic with British Council Next Generation research:

Next Generation Iraq - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/next-generation-iraq

Next Generation Indonesia – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/next-generation-indonesia

Explore our full collection of reports and resources – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/research-series/next-generation

Follow British Council Research and Insight:

Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe

Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish

Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight

Around the world, 2.3 billion people speak English, and for most of them it is an extra, rather than their first, language.

In many countries, English is also used to teach most academic subjects at schools and universities – even where most of the population do not speak it as a first language.

So, what does it mean to speak English in a world with over 7,000 languages? How does its popularity affect the quality of education, the learning of other languages, and the evolution of the English language itself? And how can teachers ensure inclusivity for all students, regardless of their English proficiency?

Find out in this fascinating conversation between host Christine Wilson and Dr Harry Kuchah Kuchah, an expert in language education and social justice. And travel with us to Rwanda to hear first-hand experiences from Eric Mpozenzi, a trainer dedicated to developing the English language skills of the next generation of teachers.

Ahead of our last episode of this series with our Chief Executive Scott McDonald, we’d like to hear from you. 

What burning questions do you have about the topics raised in this series that you’d like us to discuss in that episode? 

If you’re listening to us on Spotify, you can comment your question. And if you’re listening on a different platform then send us your question by emailing [email protected] by Sunday 18 August. We’ll choose a few to discuss in that final episode

Dive deeper:

Discover the Future of English – https://futureofenglish.britishcouncil.org

Read Harry’s paper on the challenges faced by multilingual children taught in English in Cameroon - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2023.103216

Check out Harry’s report on how children experience learning when they are taught in a language that is not familiar to them - https://doi.org/10.57884/4CZ4-TT07

Read Harry’s paper on how girls can be excluded epistemically in English medium classrooms in Rwanda - https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2022.2159031

See the latest trends in foreign language learning in schools across England - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/language-trends-england-2024

Find out more about the STELIR project –

https://www.britishcouncil.rw/programmes/education/secondary-teachers-english-language-improvement-rwanda-stelir

Interested in Pidgin? Check out this study on Shakespearean plays in Pidgin and why they matter - https://tinyurl.com/pidgin-shakespeare-essay

Follow British Council Research and Insight:

Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe

Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish

Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight