Our World, Connected

What can football teach us about connection, community and diplomacy in an interconnected world? In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson speaks with Dr. Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff about football’s role as a tool for soft power, exploring how major tournaments such as the FIFA Men’s World Cup shape international relationships and global perceptions. We also hear from Nomonde Mash...

What skills will young people need to thrive in a greener, more inclusive digital future? In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson speaks with William Mutero, Director of the Center for Inclusive Digital Transformation of Africa at Carnegie Mellon University Africa in Rwanda, about how digital transformation and climate action are reshaping societies and opportunities around...

What does it really mean to reset a relationship between nations? In this episode of Our World, Connected , host Christine Wilson is joined by Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, Erasmus Smith’s Professor of Modern History at Trinity College Dublin, to discuss the complex and deeply intertwined relationship between the UK and Ireland. Drawing on her own life and work across Ireland, the UK and beyond, Jane r...

What does it really mean for a city to be a “city of culture”? And what role can culture play in shaping more peaceful and connected societies? In this episode of Our World, Connected , host Christine Wilson speaks with Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, about how cultural programmes can transform the way cities see themselves and connect with the wider world. Dr...

What can cultural relations organisations be doing now, and in the future, to support people in the midst of the conflict in the Middle East? In this special mini-episode of Our World, Connected , host Christine Wilson speaks with Zahid Mahmood, the British Council’s Director in Libya, about the role of cultural relations in times of conflict. Drawing on his experience working across the Middle Ea...

What does diplomacy look like in an era defined by conflict, mistrust and geopolitical rivalry?  In this episode of Our World, Connected , host Christine Wilson speaks with Laurie Bristow , former UK Ambassador to Afghanistan, Russia and Azerbaijan, about the evolving role of diplomacy in a more volatile and transactional world. Drawing on more than three decades at the heart of British foreign an...

Does multilateralism still matter - and what would change if global cooperation were built for today’s world, not yesterday’s? Marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly, this episode of Our World, Connected explores whether multilateralism can still deliver in a world shaped by geopolitical rivalry, global crises and declining trust in institutions. As the international s...

What does radical inclusion really look like – and what would change if dignity, access and belonging were built into our systems from the start? Marking the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, this episode of Our World, Connected explores how societies can move beyond charity and good intentions towards a rights-based approach to disability inclusion – one that centres listening,...

How can higher education remain resilient in an age of uncertainty? Universities everywhere are under pressure, from political interference and funding cuts, to rapid technological change and shifting public expectations. In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson speaks with Michael Ignatieff , an award-winning author and historian, former leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, and...

How can culture and creativity be powerful tools for connection, diplomacy, and intercultural dialogue? In this episode of Our World, Connected, we explore how art and cultural exchange can drive global cooperation, inspire climate action, embrace youth aspirations, and open new pathways for understanding in an increasingly divided world. Host Christine Wilson is joined by Ambassador Antonio Patri...

What does cultural heritage have to do with climate change, and how can creativity help communities respond to a crisis that threatens both land and legacy? In the opening episode of Season 3, host Christine Wilson explores cultural heritage and creativity in the context of climate action. From a local neighbourhood in Cairo, to the cultural policy conference Mondiacult, to the United Nations’ glo...

We’re back! Join us over the coming 12 episodes, where we’ll be continuing our global conversations about culture, education and language, asking how creativity, learning, and international exchange can help us meet the challenges of today’s complex and interconnected world. This season, we’ll be exploring pressing themes of our time, and meeting inspiring people who are making a difference. From...

What role can education play in times of war, displacement, and uncertainty? And how can schools and universities provide not just learning, but hope, courage, and resilience for communities in crisis? In this bonus episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson reflects on her conversation with Professor ‘Funmi Olonisakin , Vice President at King’s College London and founder of the Africa...

What does it mean to tell stories through the spaces we live in? And how can architecture be a source of memory and repair? In this bonus episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson revisits a powerful conversation with Kabage Karanja, architect, researcher, and co-founder of Nairobi-based design studio Cave_bureau. A leading voice in rethinking architecture through the lens of ecology,...

How is technology shaping the way we live, learn, and connect? And what does that mean for young people growing up in a digital-first world? In this bonus episode of Our World, Connected , host Christine Wilson revisits a powerful conversation with Baroness Beeban Kidron, crossbench peer in the House of Lords and founder of the 5Rights Foundation. A leading advocate for children’s digital rights,...

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....

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 ren...

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 act...

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...

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 — e...

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...