Our World, Connected

When violent conflict erupts, you might think that staging a Shakespearean play would not be a priority. You might think that developing your business skills is a luxury reserved for peaceful times. In this episode of Our World, Connected, Christine Wilson talks to two guests whose work challenges these notions.

Dr Hala Nur joins us to discuss her experience of working for the British Council during Sudan’s ‘forgotten war’. Hala has seen first-hand the relief that artistic expression can bring in times of war, and how education can be a beacon of hope. She highlights the extraordinary efforts and achievements of her team who continue their work in supporting arts and education, despite adversity. 

Amr Gamal shares the inspiring story of his unique production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in Aden, Yemen, in 2023. Amr’s story highlights the enduring power of classics and the vital role of culture in rebuilding communities. 

This episode, inspired by the late poet Benjamin Zephaniah’s theme of ‘planting seeds to harvest hope’, challenges us to rethink the importance of culture and education during times of crisis. Tune in to learn how this essential work is sustained by remarkable people who are shaping a path towards a more peaceful future. 

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:

‘85’: a poem by Benjamin Zephaniah - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/english-currency 

Discover young Sudanese perspectives with the British Council Next Generation Sudan report - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/next-generation-sudan 

Learn more about Amr Gamal’s work in theatre and film - https://theamrgamal.info 

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Meet Dr John Mugo and Beria Wawira – two colleagues on a mission to empower millions of young people and parents through the Zizi Afrique Foundation in Kenya. In conversation with host Christine Wilson, they ask: are we preparing young people for success in today’s fast-paced world?

John and Beria champion innovative approaches to education that go beyond simply providing young people with academic or technical knowledge. In this episode, they touch on topics such as the digital divide in education, support for young people with disabilities, and why holistic youth development matters.

Tune in to find out how John and Beria’s experience in East Africa compares with what young people around the world are telling the British Council through the Next Generation research programme.

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:

Explore our Next Generation research - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/research-series/next-generation 

Found out more about the Zizi Afrique Foundation - https://ziziafrique.org/ 

Discover John’s work with the Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) programme - https://www.alive-reli.org/ 

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Discover how language learning can enhance well-being, unite communities, and support people displaced by conflict.

Marie Delaney, educational psychotherapist and teacher, joins host Christine Wilson to share inspiring stories of resilience from her work with refugees and displaced peoples worldwide. Together, they explore how language learning can serve as a catalyst for rebuilding lives.

We also visit Warsaw, Poland, where Zhanna Sevastianova tells us about her work in making the teaching and learning of English more trauma-sensitive, inclusive, and safe for students and teachers in Ukraine.

Join us for compelling stories and an insightful conversation about the transformative power of language.

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:

Read Marie’s Language for Resilience report - https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/language_for_resilience_report.pdf 

Learn more about Marie’s work at Trauma Responsive Education - https://trauma-ed.com 

Explore Zhanna’s Teaching and Learning in Difficult Times course and project - https://www.britishcouncil.org.ua/en/teaching-and-learning-in-difficult-time 

Find out more about Zhanna’s work in helping English language teachers in Ukraine to lead professional communities in their schools - https://www.britishcouncil.org.ua/en/programmes/english/schools/switlo

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Cultural heritage is our link to the past - the stories, traditions, and places we have inherited from previous generations that shape who we are today. 

In this episode, host Christine Wilson and Dr Scott Orr, a data scientist at the UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage, examine how climate change threatens much of this heritage around the world. We also visit Uganda where Barbra Babweteera Mutambi, Director of the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda, is working to preserve ancient sites and support communities affected by climate change.

But could cultural heritage also be part of the solution in the fight against climate change? Tune in to discover how we can all play a role in protecting our past to safeguard our future.

Dive deeper:

British Council Strategic Literature Review: Climate Change Impacts on Cultural Heritage - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/british-council-strategic-literature-review-climate-change-impacts-cultural

Watch this video about the Bakonzo community and Barbra’s project in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAz2ZGI-R6U

Indigenous Knowledge for Climate Action report by the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda - https://tinyurl.com/3fbmhs2u 

Learn more about the British Council Cultural Protection Fund - https://cultural-protection-fund.britishcouncil.org/about

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‘AI’: two letters that conjure a whirlwind of questions, speculation, and, for many, concern. But what exactly is artificial intelligence, or ‘AI’, and how does this connect to human behaviour and society?

Join us as we peel back the layers of AI and go beyond the hype to uncover the human role behind the development and use of AI tools around the world.

In the studio, our host Christine Wilson speaks to Dr Abeba Birhane, a cognitive scientist working on responsible and ethical AI at Trinity College Dublin. Meanwhile, our expert on-the-ground, Malik Afegbua, brings us his story from Lagos, Nigeria, where he is using generative AI to challenge the dominant perceptions of marginalised groups and drive inclusion through his art.

In this conversation, Christine, Abeba, and Malik explore the humanity, biases, and imbalances of power behind the development and use of AI. Together, they ask: how can we steer technological advancement towards a future where AI is beneficial for everyone?

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:

Abeba’s latest research paper is titled "Towards AI Accountability Infrastructure: Gaps and Opportunities in AI Audit Tooling’ (March 2024). The research won a distinguished paper award at SaTML. Read it here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.17861

Explore Malik’s Elder Series and learn more about his creative process: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64260739

Learn about the use of AI tools in English language teaching and learning with the latest British Council report: https://teachingenglish.britishcouncil.org/artificial-intelligence-and-english-language-teaching-research-british-council 

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In today’s episode, we’re reflecting on the extraordinary moment of collaboration between Liverpool and Ukraine when they hosted Eurovision in 2023. What does this experience teach us about the power of being united through arts and culture? And what is the value – to communities, cities, and countries - in hosting cultural mega-events like Eurovision? 

Join our host Christine Wilson and guest David Watson, Executive Director of Audiences and Media at National Museums Liverpool, as they rewind to the electrifying atmosphere of last year's contest and its impact on local communities in Liverpool.We’ll also hear from Kyiv, Ukraine, where Tetyana Filevska, Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute, tells us what it was like to see her home country being represented in Liverpool for Eurovision 2023.

Dive deeper:

Culture, place and partnership: the cultural relations of Eurovision 2023 -https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/eurovision2023

Hear more from David on his podcast, Before The Applause - https://www.beforetheapplausepod.com

Learn more about Tetyana’s work at the Ukrainian Institute - https://ui.org.ua/en/

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Though progress has been made, there is still a long road ahead to gender equality.

Join us as we explore existing and emerging barriers and opportunities for women’s empowerment, from deeply rooted social norms to new frontiers in technology.

In the studio, our host Christine Wilson explores the multifaceted dimensions of gender equality with Naila Kabeer, Professor of Gender and Development at the London School of Economics. Our expert on-the-ground, Dharini Priscilla, reports from Sri Lanka, where digital technology creates new opportunities as well as new dangers for women's well-being and empowerment.

Together, Christine, Naila, and Dharini confront the pressing issues and promising developments driving the agenda for gender equality worldwide.

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:

Next Generation: What we know on women and girls - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/next-generation-women-girls 

Dharini’s report on the gendered dimensions of Sri Lankan media - https://www.irex.org/MEND_Gender_in_Sri_Lanka_Media_English.pdf  

Naila discussing a gender-responsive age-sensitive social protection strategy with the UNICEF Innocenti Centre - https://tinyurl.com/236y724h 

Naila’s latest book ‘Renegotiating Patriarchy: Gender, Agency and the Bangladesh Paradox’ (LSE Press) will be published later in 2024. 

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Culture is fundamental to who we are as human beings. Yet it is missing from global efforts to resolve the most pressing human issues of our time.

Discover why recognising the importance of culture can open the door to a more equitable, sustainable, and connected world – and hear about priorities for action. 

Our host, Christine Wilson, is joined in the studio by Professor Alexandra Xanthaki, the United Nations Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. We also travel to Brazil, where Pedro Affonso Ivo Franco tells us about his work as an International Consultant for Culture, Creativity and Development and how, amid the vibrant rhythms of Maracatu, culture creates new opportunities for communities. 

In this first episode of ‘Our World, Connected’, Christine, Alexandra and Pedro discuss topics such as locally-led development, cultural and human rights, and whether culture deserves its own Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

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:

The Missing Foundation: Culture’s place within and beyond the SDGs – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/missing-foundation-report 

Pedro’s essay on the Cambinda Estrela Cultural Centre and Maracatu - https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/ch4ig_essays_ivofranco_1_web.pdf

Alexandra’s role as the UN Special Rapporteur and latest reports -https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-cultural-rights

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Explore our insights:

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

Our World, Connected is a brand-new podcast from the British Council, placing you at the heart of the biggest global conversations about culture, connection, and empowerment.

Join host Christine Wilson, Director of British Council Research and Insight, and a diverse lineup of world-renowned experts and thinkers as they examine the most pressing issues of our time - and uncover the human stories behind them.

Each episode will explore the transformative power of arts, culture, language, and education in the face of global challenges like peacebuilding, sustainable development, climate change, and the growth of AI.