Culture. Connection. Empowerment.
Our World, Connected is a podcast which examines the most pressing issues of our time and uncovers the human stories behind them.
Join host Christine Wilson, Director of British Council Research and Insight, and a diverse lineup of world-renowned experts for global conversations about culture, connection, and empowerment.
In each episode, we explore the transformative power of arts, culture, language, and education amidst global challenges like peacebuilding, sustainable development, climate change, and the growth of AI.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify now!
Episodes
Episode 1: Is culture the missing key to global progress?
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, the United Nations Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. We also travel to Brazil, where Pedro Affonso Ivo Franco tells us about his work as an International Consultant for Culture, Creativity, and Development - and how, amid the vibrant rhythms of Maracatu, culture creates new opportunities for communities.
In this first episode of Our World, Connected podcast, Christine, Alexandra and Pedro discuss topics such as locally-led development, cultural and human rights, and whether culture deserves its own Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
Episode 2: How to ensure gender equality for the next generation?
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 the London School of Economics. Our expert on-the-ground, Dharini Priscilla, reports from Sri Lanka, where digital technology creates new opportunities as well as new dangers for women's well-being and empowerment.
Together, Christine, Naila and Dharini confront the pressing issues and promising developments driving the agenda for gender equality worldwide.
Episode 3: United by music: Lessons from Eurovision 2023
What value do events like Eurovision bring to communities, cities, and countries? And what did the collaboration between Liverpool and Ukraine for Eurovision 2023 teach us about the unifying power of arts and culture?
Join host Christine Wilson and guest David Watson, Executive Director of Audiences and Media at National Museums Liverpool, as they rewind to the electrifying atmosphere of last year's contest and its impact on local communities in Liverpool.
We’ll also hear from Kyiv, Ukraine, where Tetyana Filevska, Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute, tells us what it was like to see her home country being represented in Liverpool for Eurovision 2023.
Episode 4: What does AI mean for equality and inclusion?
AI: two letters that conjure a whirlwind of questions, speculation, and concern. But what exactly is artificial intelligence and how does it 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 speaks to Dr Abeba Birhane, a cognitive scientist working on responsible and ethical AI at Trinity College Dublin and recently named as one of the TIME100 Most Influential People in AI. Meanwhile, our expert on-the-ground Malik Afegbua brings us his story from Lagos, Nigeria, where he is using generative AI to challenge the dominant perceptions of marginalised groups and drive inclusion through his art.
In this conversation, Christine, Abeba, and Malik explore the humanity, biases, and imbalances of power behind the development and use of AI. Together, they ask: how can we steer technological advancement towards a future where AI is beneficial for everyone?
Episode 5: Climate change and cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is our link to the past - the shared stories, traditions, and places that shape who we are today. Climate change threatens much of this heritage around the world.
In this episode, we examine the effects of climate change on cultural heritage and ask: what if, instead of being a victim, cultural heritage could become an ally in the fight against climate change?
In the studio, our host Christine Wilson speaks with Dr Scott Orr, a data scientist at the UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage. We also visit Uganda, where Barbra Babweteera Mutambi, Director of the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda, is working to preserve ancient sites and support communities affected by climate change.
Tune in to discover why protecting our past can help to safeguard our future and how we can all contribute to this effort.
Episode 6: The power of language in difficult times
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 visit Warsaw, Poland, where Zhanna Sevastianova tells us about her work in making the teaching and learning of English more trauma-sensitive, inclusive, and safe for students and teachers in Ukraine.
Join us for compelling stories and an insightful conversation about the transformative power of language.
Episode 7: Youth skills in a rapidly changing world
Are we preparing young people for success in today's fast-paced world?
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.
John and Beria champion innovative approaches to education that go beyond simply providing young people with academic or technical knowledge. In this episode, they touch on topics such as the digital divide in education, support for young people with disabilities, and why holistic youth development matters.
Tune in to find out how John and Beria’s experience in East Africa compares with what young people around the world are telling the British Council through the Next Generation research programme.
Episode 8: Culture and education: Seeds of hope in times of conflict
"Culture gives hope. Education builds futures." - Dr Hala Nur.
When violent conflict erupts, you might think that staging Shakespeare would not be a priority. You might think that developing your business skills is a luxury reserved for peaceful times. In this episode, 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 during Sudan’s ‘forgotten war’. Hala has seen first-hand the relief that artistic expression can bring in times of war, and how education can be a beacon of hope. She highlights the extraordinary efforts and achievements of her team who continue their work, despite adversity.
Amr Gamal shares the inspiring story of his unique production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in Aden, Yemen, in 2023. Amr’s story highlights the enduring power of classics and the vital role of culture in rebuilding communities.
Tune in to learn how essential work in culture and education is sustained during times of crisis by remarkable people who are shaping a path towards a more peaceful future.
Episode 9: What role does English play in our multilingual world?
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 affect the quality of education, the learning of other languages, and the evolution of the English language itself? And how can teachers ensure inclusivity for all students, regardless of their English proficiency?
Find out in this fascinating conversation between host Christine Wilson and Dr Harry Kuchah Kuchah, an expert in language education and social justice. And travel with us to Rwanda to hear first-hand experiences from Eric Mpozenzi, a trainer dedicated to developing the English language skills of the next generation of teachers.
Episode 10: Are young people disengaged? The real story behind youth participation
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 a more optimistic picture, backed by British Council Next Generation research.
Christine speaks with two young changemakers: Disty Winata, an Indonesian activist with experience at the G20, the UN, and the British Council’s 90 Youth Voices for The Future programme, and Dhari Al-Malih, a geological engineer from Iraq who refuses to let violence define his home country and shares his story of using science for social good.
Join Christine and guests as they explore the innovative ways in which young people engage with societal issues, and ask: how can we support young people and amplify their voices in policy decisions that will shape their futures?
Episode 11: Transnational education: A policymaking perspective
Transnational education (TNE) is redefining how students access international learning opportunities.
Through joint degrees, online courses, overseas campuses, and global university partnerships, education is becoming borderless.
In this episode, Christine is joined by Attorney Lily Freida Milla, Deputy Executive Director at the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) in the Philippines. An experienced policymaker, Lily shares her insights into how TNE is transforming education in the Philippines and beyond. Christine and Lily discuss what makes international partnerships successful and how TNE benefits students, institutions, and the countries involved.
We also hear from filmmaker Amanda Mojilip – a TNE alumna from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, whose studies empowered her to advocate for Indigenous communities at an international level.
Join Christine and guests as they explore how transnational education is helping to make our world better connected.
Episode 12:The British Council in an evolving world: reflections on 90 years of building connections
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 themes from the series – culture, connection, and empowerment – and offer insights into how the British Council builds bridges on a global scale through its work in arts and culture, education and languages.
Together, Christine and Scott reflect on the organisation’s 90-year history, how it has evolved to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world, and why the British Council’s work is as relevant now as it was in the 1930s. And looking to the future, they discuss how the British Council can support the next generation to continue creating connections to build a more peaceful and prosperous world.
Our Host, Christine Wilson
Christine has been with the British Council since 2004. In her 20 years with the organisation she has heard powerful stories from all over the world, and is delighted to be able to share them with listeners on Our World, Connected.
She is based in Scotland, from where she oversees the Research and Insight team’s work supporting accessible, high quality research across arts and culture, language, education, skills, youth participation, and more. She is also a member of the advisory board for Edinburgh University's Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Before joining the British Council, Christine was also in the business of stories, as a journalist - prior to that, she worked in the music industry. When not at work, she will likely be found either fermenting things, supporting Liverpool FC, or out on a long walk.