World Questions

Gaza, The West Bank and women's rights in Jordan. As war continues in neighbouring Israel, members of the public from around the Kingdom of Jordan raise questions for political leaders and key figures to debate. Jonny Dymond presents. The panel: Senator Alia Hatoug Bouran: Former Ambassador to the United States Hadeel Abdel Aziz: Director of the Centre for Legal Aid in Jordan Senator Mohammed Al M...

Jonny Dymond presents a debate from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. A large and lively audience ask questions about Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, constitutional reform, divorce laws, poverty, transport and the record of their President, "Bong Bong" Marcos Jnr. The Panel: Justice Antonio Carpio: Former Supreme Court judge Rafaela David: President of the Akbayan Citizens Action...

After a bitter election, a new government takes power in Poland promising to de-politicise the state. But after courts are ignored, key people are sacked and opposition politicians are arrested in the Presidential Palace, is democracy being restored or undermined? Jonny Dymond chairs a panel of leading politicians as they debate the big issues put to them by the public in the Royal Castle of Warsa...

World Questions focusses on the future of Norway. What next for this oil rich country which is experiencing a cost of living crisis and debate over its high levels of public spending? Jonny Dymond is joined online by a panel of leading Norwegian politicians and activists taking questions from the public across the country. The panel: Hadia Tajik: Labour MP Henrik Asheim: Conservative MP Ella Marie...

It is rich in emeralds and copper, and home to Mosi oa Tunya, or Victoria Falls. It has a youthful population and one of the most stable democracies in Africa, but Zambia faces big challenges: High food prices, persistent poverty and claims that political rights are under threat. What are the country’s priorities in a fast-changing world? And what does the success of the women’s football team mean...

Ecuador was once a relatively peaceful country, perhaps best known for its rich biodiverse landscapes, Amazonian rainforests and the world-famous Galapagos Islands. But the murder rate has quadrupled between 2018 and 2022 – an increase caused largely by the drug trade and the violence it brings. Now the country is in the grip of an unprecedented crimewave which has seen a rise in not just murders,...

The Republic of Korea is one of the twentieth century’s economic miracles. Poor at the time it split from its neighbour to the north, it now has the fastest internet on the planet and is a world-leading exporter of electronics, cars and culture. Much of what is best in the world can be found in Korea but it faces many of its hardest challenges too. Sky-high property prices, the world’s fastest-age...

World Questions is in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. Leading politicians and academics take questions from a public audience. Membership of the European Union, relations with neighbouring Russia and the environment are all up for discussion in a unique debate chaired by Anu Anand. The panel: Mariam Lashkhi: MP for the governing party, Georgian Dream Party and Deputy chair of the Foreign Affairs...

The genocide of 1994 left 800,000 Rwandans dead. Since then the country has been remarkably stable, millions have been brought out of poverty and it is currently one of the least corrupt countries in Africa. But there are claims by some that freedom is the price that has been paid, and a recent UN report has detailed Rwandan involvement in fighting in neighbouring DRC. Open elections, freedom of s...

It is the most prosperous country in the Caribbean with a rich culture, a tropical island environment, a stable democracy, and an economy based on rich resources of oil and gas. But Trinidad and Tobago is facing a surge in violent crime. The near collapse of its big neighbour Venezuela, a porous border, tens of thousands of refugees, sex trafficking and piracy have contributed to it reaching sixth...

Bangladesh is now something of a global development poster child. Born out of war more than 50 years ago, it has hauled itself out of poverty to become one of the fastest growing economies in the Asia Pacific region. But the nation still faces many challenges - climate change threatens to overwhelm its low lying lands, corruption is endemic and many critics complain that democracy and freedom of s...

World Questions is in Chile with a public audience and a panel of politicians and thinkers to debate the future of the country. They address the big issues such as the rewriting of the nation’s constitution, immigration, crime and policing, economic growth, social justice – and the legacy of the Pinochet era. The panel includes Lorena Fries, member of the governing coalition; Ignacio Briones, form...

Saddam Hussein was toppled as Iraq’s head of state in 2003 after US-led forces invaded the country. World Questions is in Iraq with a public audience and a panel of politicians and thinkers to mark the 20th anniversary. They address today’s issues and there is passion and excitement as Iraqis debate openly whether life is better now than it was under Saddam. Foreign influence, corruption, the righ...

Iceland is known for its rugged wilderness, booming tourist industry and a high standard of living. But this small nation in the North Atlantic is not immune from the challenges facing the rest of the world. Rising inflation is making it harder for young people to afford a home of their own. And as the globe warms, glaciers are melting and the landscape that draws so many visitors is changing. Jon...

The rights of indigenous peoples, the practicalities of imposing a ban on sex outside marriage, public education and how Indonesia can boost its economy to reach its full potential are some of the issues brought up for discussion by the Indonesian public. Indonesia, which is made up of over 17,000 islands stretching from Asia to Australia, faces many challenges including demands for independence i...

Georgia Meloni has been sworn in as Italy’s first female Prime Minister and leader of a new right-wing government. She has committed to reducing immigration, helping families in difficulty with high energy prices and supporting Ukraine with arms and aid. Jonny Dymond, with a public audience and panel of leading politicians debate big issues facing this European democracy, including trust in politi...

Fuel shortages, electricity cuts, food security, climate change and corruption: Jonny Dymond presents a public debate in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, on these issues of national importance. Malawi is one of the poorest nations on earth with over half the population living on less than a dollar a day. How to move the country forward? A panel which includes some of Malawi’s senior politicians an...

An assassination attempt on the Vice President, the impact of legalising abortion, sky-high inflation and the Falkland/Malvinas question: the big issues in Argentina are debated by an enthusiastic audience firing challenging questions at a panel of experts and political insiders in the capital. Jonny Dymond presents on location in this vibrant and vocal Latin American democracy. The Panel: Delfina...

Devastating floods, political instability, economic turmoil… as Pakistan grapples with enormous challenges, Jonny Dymond hears from a young panel of activists, academics and politicians debating questions raised by under 30s across the country. They discuss the government’s reaction to the floods, climate change, the role of women, relations with India, the role of the army in politics and what th...

A local audience from the city of Birmingham in the UK - soon to host the Commonwealth Games - and an audience joining via video link from across the Commonwealth put their questions to an expert panel. Anita Anand presents the debate which ranges from issues around reparations for slavery and the role of the monarchy to human rights, the environment and economic development. The panel: Anne Galla...

Jonny Dymond debates the future of Taiwan with a panel of leading politicians and questioners from across the region discussing relations with China, migrant workers, the legalisation of cannabis and the low birth rate. He us joined by Jason Hsu, senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School and former Kuomintang Party (KMT) legislator; Wen Lii, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) County Director, Matsu...

The war in Ukraine has proved a turning point for German policy makers who have pledged to increase defence spending and wean themselves off their dependence on Russian gas and oil. But at what cost to the German public? How deep is the new consensus in Berlin? How will Germany face these new challenges in foreign policy – and energy and inflation problems at home? German politicians and opinion f...

Freedom of speech, youth and politics, child marriage and how to tackle drought - Jonny Dymond presents a public debate of national issues in Morocco’s capital Rabat. Morocco is a strategically important country. It's part of both the Arab World and the African, with strong links to both Europe and the Middle East. A panel of senior politicians and civil society leaders answer questions on differe...

Estonia is a parliamentary democracy, a member of the European Union and a post-Soviet success story right on the Nato frontline. As the war following Russia’s invasion continues in Ukraine, Estonians ask - How defensible is their country? Can it rely on Nato? And how loyal is the Russian speaking minority within its own borders? Jonny Dymond is joined by a panel of Estonian politicians and opinio...

World Questions offers a rare chance to hear a new Syrian generation debate its future. The programme is presented by the BBC’s chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, and features a panel and questioners of young Syrians from within the country – and those living abroad. Up for debate: economic sanctions, education, civil war, foreign intervention, the plight of refugees and how best to a...