Our World, Connected

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 navig...

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 e...

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...

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 gr...

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 i...

“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 particula...

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’r...

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 bo...

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: acce...

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...

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 conversation...

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 them...

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...

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...

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 af...

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 duri...

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 academi...

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...

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 Mut...

‘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 sp...

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 Dav...

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 t...

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, th...

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 be...