BBC World Service

World Questions

News EN ↓ 214 episodes

Every month, members of the public put forward their questions about issues impacting their country and the world.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.bbc.co.uk

Author

BBC World Service

Category

News

Podcast website

www.bbc.co.uk

Latest episode

Oct 10, 2026

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Episodes

Iraq 13.03.2023

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 11.02.2023

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...

Iceland 11.02.2023

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...

Indonesia 17.01.2023

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...

Indonesia 17.01.2023

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...

Rome 10.12.2022

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...

Rome 10.12.2022

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...

Malawi 16.11.2022

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...

Malawi 16.11.2022

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...

Buenos Aires 08.10.2022

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...

Buenos Aires 08.10.2022

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...

Young Pakistan 08.10.2022

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...

Young Pakistan 08.10.2022

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...

Commonwealth 09.07.2022

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...

Commonwealth 09.07.2022

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...

Taiwan 11.06.2022

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...

Taiwan 11.06.2022

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...

Germany 17.05.2022

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...

Germany 17.05.2022

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...

Morocco 11.04.2022

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...

Morocco 11.04.2022

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 10.03.2022

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...

Estonia 10.03.2022

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...

Young Syria 12.02.2022

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...

Young Syria 12.02.2022

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...

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