Today's guests are local councillors Humaira Ali and Graham Howe, representing Southwark and Wokingham in the UK.

In this episode, Humaira and Graham explore what a council is, what councils do, and how we can improve the system through policy innovation - including whether or not we even need political parties in the first place.

Follow Humaira on Twitter and connect with Graham on LinkedIn.

Terminology:

• Ward - the administrative area of a borough that elects (and is represented by) a councillor (or councillors)
• Statutory instrument - delegated legislative power
• Canvassing - directly engaging with local residents
• Politicking - partisan or politically-driven activity

Today’s guest is Pippa Gawley, Founder and Director of Zero Carbon Capital. 

In this episode, Pippa explores why lithium is becoming the new gasoline, the cultural differences between UK and US venture capital, and making a healthy financial return because of purpose (not in spite of it).

In addition, Pippa discusses why:

• Governments should implement legally binding targets every year up to 2050 (to hold current governments to account, not just future ones)
• Carbon emissions need to be priced more accurately
• Deep tech startup founders need to keep the faith
• Innovate UK and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) grants are helping scientific and deep tech companies to innovate over longer time horizons
• The UK’s Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is compelling tax relief for investors

Learn more about Zero Carbon Capital and connect with Pippa on LinkedIn, who was introduced to the podcast by Gosbert Chagula.

Today's guest is Amit Mishra, Founder of ID8VC, Policy Adviser to the Indian Government, and ex-Country Head of F6S and Sansan.

In this episode, Amit explores:

• the appeal of the Indian market and Tier 2 cities, including as a place to build a Proof of Concept (PoC)
• the uptick in activity for the AgriTech, medical, education, e-commerce and electric vehicle (EV) sectors since COVID-19
• why change is both the biggest challenge and opportunity
• the importance of being a conscious citizen and responsible employer

Check out F6S and connect with Amit on LinkedIn.

Today's guest is Stephanie Jensen-Cormier, a biodiversity advocate living in Costa Rica.

In this episode, Stephanie discusses why we need to understand the urgency of reducing our emissions because it threatens our survival as a specifies.

In addition, Steph explains why:

1. government-funded projects need to embed top-notch environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) into projects e.g. China’s Belt and Road Initiative
2. we as consumers should choose to eat a mostly plant-based diet, buy reusable diapers/nappies, and rent toys for our kids
3. governments should stop subsidising the meat industry and reprioritise spending on education and sustainability (like Costa Rica did after demilitarisation)

Check out Global Witness and connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn here.

Today's guest is Bin (William) Xu, Head of Digital Innovation Labs at Pfizer in China and South East Asia.
 
In this episode, Bin Xu shares why innovation in finance can help to improve access to healthcare, why people working in legacy (or 'old school') industries should think more like an entrepreneur, and how China needs to "up its game" in terms of respecting nurses and doctors.

Bin Xu and Nathan met through the Young China Watchers (YCW), a community engaging with the most pressing issues related to the rise of China. Learn more about YCW and connect with Bin Xu on LinkedIn here.

Today's guest is Sundeep Waslekar, President of the Strategic Foresight Group and Author of The Blue Peace: Rethinking Middle East Water.
 
In this episode, Sundeep discusses why countries engaged in water cooperation do not go to war, how West Africa leads the world in water collaboration, and that even the world’s greatest leaders are unable to deliver because they operate with tunnel vision.

The key takeaway, therefore, is to look at the world in a more holistic way and to understand that - although change is (currently) driven by nation-states, they have to take into account the wishes of individuals and respond to them - we can all play our part!
 
Sundeep was introduced to the podcast by Sir Graham Watson in a previous episode, and introduced the former Prime Minister of Guinea, Kabiné Komara, to the podcast in a later episode.

Today's guests are entrepreneurs Mandy Nyarko MBE and Gosbert Chagula MBE, Co-Founders of Startup Discovery School.

In this episode, Mandy and Gos discuss the importance of social mobility, why the "Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic" (BAME) acronym is unnecessary, and what governments and investors can do to overcome bias and empower people who are currently underserved.

Learn more about Startup Discover School and check out their Instagram here.

Some terminology:

• "Incubator" - where startup founders develop and test their business ideas
• "Accelerator" - where founders grow their customer base and prepare for scaling-up
• "ERDF" - European Regional Development Fund
• "SEIS" - Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme 
• "EIS" - Enterprise Investment Scheme

Today's guest is Sir Graham Watson, former President of the Alliance of Liberal Democrats in Europe (ALDE) and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the South West of England and Gibraltar (1994-2014).

In this episode, Graham discusses how the United Kingdom and European Union can innovate policy in key areas - such as health, data and an emerging Asia - and shares some tips for continuous learning.

Other key takeaways include:
- Most Asian countries look to the United States, rather than Europe, as the model
 - The EU has to get together as a federal state if it wants to compete
- The EU wants to work closely with the UK, but they’re not going to force it
- You can never invest too much in scientific research

Follow Sir Graham on Twitter and check out the episode with Sundeep Waslekar.