Our World, Connected

Epizodes

• Future skills: how to thrive in a greener, more inclusive digital world 03.06.2026 45min

  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 the world. Together, they explore the growing connection between digital and green skills, the importance of inclusive innovation, and why Africa is central to conversations about the future of technology and sustainability.We also hear from Amanda Costa, Youth Advisor for the British Council’s Climate Skills programme and founder of Instituto Perifa Sustentável in Brazil. Amanda reflects on how her experiences in education, climate activism, and community leadership have shaped her understanding of sustainability, technology, and social justice, and why local knowledge and youth voices matter in building more resilient futures.This episode explores how education, collaboration and representation can help ensure digital futures are more sustainable, inclusive and human-centred.Listen to Our World, Connected, the award-winning podcast from the British Council, exploring culture, communication, and the power of collaboration in a changing world.Further resources:Youth Connect Live: building an inclusive climate futurehttps://www.britishcouncil.org/education/non-formal-education/youth-connect/live/youth-connect-live-building-inclusive-climate Afretec Network https://engineering.cmu.edu/afretec/directory/bios/mutero-william.html Climate Connection Hive report Skills for an Inclusive Transition: Youth realities and green opportunity pathways https://www.britishcouncil.org/climate-connection/get-involved/hive-campaign
• Resetting relationships: UK-Ireland connections, culture and the stories that bind us 29.04.2026 38min

  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 reflects on how history, imperial legacy and mobility continue to shape identities and relationships across these islands. Exploring difficult conversations about the past and the challenges brought about by Brexit, as well as celebrating educational and cultural links and looking to a more hopeful future, she explores how these connections can be nurtured.We also hear a personal perspective from Bukky Adebowale, Policy Education Officer at the Irish Network Against Racism. Bukky shares how her educational and cultural experiences in Ireland and later in the UK shaped her understanding of her Irish and Yoruba identity, sense of belonging and connections. Her story highlights how education, culture and relationships can help people bridge histories, communities and borders.This episode questions whether national relationships can ever be reset through diplomacy alone, and how culture, education and people-to-people connections can help imagine a more open, empathetic future.Listen to Our World, Connected, the award-winning podcast from the British Council, exploring culture, communication, and the power of collaboration in a changing world.Further resources:Erasmus+ https://www.britishcouncil.org/erasmusplus Higher Education Mobility UK and Irelandhttps://www.britishcouncil.ie/higher-education-mobility-researchProfessor Jane Ohlmeyerhttps://www.janeohlmeyer.ie/
• Culture, connections and peace: stories from Bradford, UK City of Culture 2025 01.04.2026 37min

  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. Drawing on Bradford’s story, Shanaz reflects on the power of culture to bring communities together, create space for dialogue about identity and history, and build lasting international partnerships rooted in creativity and exchange.We also hear personal perspectives from Caitlin Askin, an administrator and museum guide at the Museum of Free Derry, and Marko Pešikan, a filmmaker and teacher from Sarajevo, who both took part in the Here We Stand project. Marko created this film with his co-creator, Hanan Alić. “For us, this project was a really meaningful experience because it reminded us that peace is not something distant or theoretical. It’s something very human. Through the film, we tried to show that even when the world feels chaotic, there are still places inside of us where calm exists. Being part of telling that story made the whole process feel very real and it showed us how a simple idea can grow into something that people can actually connect with,” said Marko. Through their experiences, they explore how storytelling, film and artistic collaboration can help young people make sense of conflict, express their identities, and connect with others across borders. Their stories highlight the role of culture not only in reflecting lived experience, but in fostering empathy, resilience and a sense of shared humanity.This episode asks how cities can use culture not just to celebrate who they are, but to engage with difficult histories, strengthen connections across divides, and contribute to a more peaceful and inclusive future.Links: https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/role-artistic-expressions-positive-peacehttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/cities-everyday-endotic-cultural-relationshttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/eurovision2023https://www.britishcouncil.rs/en/programmes/education/different-memories-shared-futures-towards-inclusive-memorialisation 
• Cultural relations in conflict: listening and learning 10.03.2026 14min

  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 East and North Africa, Zahid reflects on building trust in conflict-affected regions, the long-term impact of youth and cultural programmes, and why soft power and diplomacy remain vital even in moments of escalating geopolitical tension.Further resourcesl021_young_arab_voice_from_voice_to_encounter_final_v2_web.pdfhttps://www.britishcouncil.ly/enhttps://www.britishcouncil.org/partner/international-development/approach/regions/middle-east-north-africa
• The long game: diplomacy in an age of anger 25.02.2026 51min

  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 and national security policy, Laurie reflects on the end of the Cold War, the invasion of Iraq, the fall of Kabul in 2021, and what these moments reveal about power, perception and policy. From ‘cognitive warfare’ and disinformation, to the limits of military intervention, he examines how misunderstanding, resentment and short-term thinking can shape global events, exploring how diplomacy must adapt in response.We also hear a personal perspective from Noor Al-Naser, Iraqi peacebuilding specialist and Scottish Peace Platform Manager at Beyond Borders. Noor shares how a bombing in Baghdad during her teenage years led her into diplomacy and UN work in mine action, counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism. Her experience bridges frontline humanitarian efforts and grassroots peacebuilding, highlighting the importance of trust, cultural understanding and sustained local engagement in building more stable societies.This episode asks what responsible international engagement means today, and whether diplomacy still has the patience and imagination to shape a more peaceful future.Listen to Our World, Connected, the award-winning podcast from the British Council, exploring culture, communication, and the power of collaboration in a changing world. 🏆 Winner of Gold for Thought Leadership at the 2025 Signal Awards.Additional Resources: UK cultural diplomacy in Europe 1989-2025https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/UK-cultural-diplomacy-Europe Afghanistan: the inside story of the withdrawalhttps://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/afghanistan-inside-story-of-the-withdrawal Global Perceptions 2025https://www.britishcouncil.org/global-perceptions-2025
• Multilateralism at a crossroads: does international cooperation still work? 28.01.2026 50min

  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 system faces growing pressure, the episode asks what does global cooperation look like now - and who is it serving?Host Christine Wilson is joined on this episode by Jane Kinninmont, Chief Executive of the United Nations Association-UK. Drawing on her experience across diplomacy, policy and civil society, Jane reflects on the UN’s founding purpose, the realities of power and compromise in international decision-making, and why multilateralism often works quietly, perhaps imperfectly, and out of the spotlight. Together, they discuss the tensions between principle and pragmatism, the challenges of legitimacy and reform, and what it would take for global institutions to remain relevant in a multipolar world.We also hear a personal perspective from Juhi Adhikari, a Kathmandu-based youth leader and Youth Consultant at UNESCO. Juhi shares her experiences navigating international institutions as a young person, and reflects on why multilateralism can feel distant or opaque to many - particularly those most affected by global decisions. Her story highlights the gap between global policymaking and lived experience, and why youth participation must go beyond symbolism to shape real outcomes.From global governance and power dynamics to youth voice and institutional reform, this episode asks whether multilateralism can evolve to meet today’s challenges - and what must change if international cooperation is to remain credible, inclusive and effective.Listen to Our World, Connected, the award-winning podcast from the British Council, exploring culture, communication, and the power of collaboration in a changing world. 🏆 Winner of Gold for Thought Leadership at the 2025 Signal Awards.Additional Resources: Global Perceptions 2025https://www.britishcouncil.org/global-perceptions-2025 Reflecting on 80 years of impact with the United Nationshttps://www.britishcouncil.org/partner/international-development/news/reflecting-on-80-years-impact-with-united-nationsListen to Jane Kinninmont’s own podcast ‘Disorder’https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disorder/id1706818264UNA UKhttps://una.org.uk/ 
• Radical inclusion: driving social change with and for young disabled people 17.12.2025 33min

  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, participation, and meaningful action.Host Christine Wilson is joined on this episode by Nada Ehab, a youth development specialist and advisor to the British Council’s Inclusive Youth Empowerment Programme in Egypt. Nada reflects on her journey from empathy-driven inclusion to a collective rights-based, participatory model, and shares insights from her work supporting young people with disabilities to engage in advocacy, social entrepreneurship, and community-led change. Together, they discuss the barriers that still exist in education, public spaces and digital environments, and why inclusion must be embedded across systems, not treated as a quota.We also hear a personal story from Saja Mohammed Alkadhimi, a 19-year-old student from Baghdad, UN Youth Advisory Council member, and disability rights advocate. Saja shares her experiences navigating education as a wheelchair user, the importance of accessible infrastructure, and why inclusive schools matter not just for learning, but for belonging. Her story brings the conversation to life, reminding us that inclusion is about unlocking potential, not lowering expectations.From education and policy to technology and leadership, this episode asks how we turn conversations about inclusion into concrete change - and why the responsibility for removing barriers must sit with society as a whole.Listen to Our World, Connected, the award-winning podcast from the British Council, exploring culture, communication, and the power of collaboration in a changing world.🏆 Winner of Gold for Thought Leadership at the 2025 Signal Awards.Additional Resources: Beyond inclusion: what Next Generation research reveals about disability and youth leadershiphttps://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/beyond-inclusion-next-generation-disability-youth-leadership The British Council’s Disability Inclusion Community Steering Grouphttps://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/alumni-uk/alumni-community-and-impact/disability-inclusion-community/steering-group Breaking Barriers: Advancing Inclusive Education, Arts, and Youth Empowerment in Jordanhttps://www.britishcouncil.org.eg/en/programmes/inspire-partnerships/shaping-the-conversation/breaking-barriers-inclusion-through-english-and-arts-jordanDisability Arts | British Council ArtsBeyond the British Council:https://www.unicef.org/iraq/press-releases/iraq-launches-national-disability-inclusion-strategy-children-and-young-people
• Global tertiary education: how to survive and thrive in a volatile world? 26.11.2025 46min

  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 former President and Rector of Central European University (CEU). A keynote speaker at the British Council’s Going Global 2025 conference, Michael reflects on the “storm clouds” gathering over higher education, drawing on his experience leading CEU through significant challenges, including political pressure that forced the institution to relocate. Together, they examine what resilience means for higher education today, the role of international partnerships and values-led leadership, the defence of academic freedom, and the human side of teaching and learning.We also hear live reflections from three delegates at last month’s Going Global conference. Urvashi Prasad, a public policy and health specialist explores the role of empathy and evidence in shaping education, whilst Rawan Taha, a UN World Food Programme officer and UK Alumni SDG Ambassador shares her experience of adapting, upskilling and building resilience through international study. Finally, Caryn Nery, Director of Transnational Education (TNE) Partnerships at Victoria University, reflects on how TNE models proved robust during Covid and why diversified, student-centred partnerships matter now more than ever. Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more conversations on culture, connection, and the power of education.🏆 Winner of Gold for Thought Leadership at the 2025 Signal Awards.Additional Resources: Going Globalhttps://www.britishcouncil.org/going-global Understanding the impact of transnational education: insights from UK TNE alumnihttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/understanding-impact-transnational-education-insights-uk-tne-alumni Alumni Voices 2025: UK Graduates, Global Influencehttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/alumni-voices-2025-uk-graduates-global-influence Alumni Voices 2025: UK Graduates, Global Influence
• Bridging worlds: dialogue, diplomacy and the soft power of culture 22.10.2025 37min

  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 Patriota, Brazil’s Ambassador to the UK, and one of the country’s most experienced diplomats, for a wide-ranging conversation about the power of cultural exchange in shaping international relations. We discuss Brazil’s renewed environmental leadership, the UK's creative ties with Brazil, and the significance of the UK/Brazil Season of Culture 2025–26, a year-long celebration of artistic collaboration and cultural diplomacy.Also featured in the episode is British-Iranian artist Javaad Alipoor, and his work for the UK/Australia British Council season (2021-22). He reflects on the politics of art, the power of international collaboration, and the nuanced role of soft power in global cultural work.From the UK, to Australia, and onto Brazil, this episode highlights how cultural connections can foster understanding, amplify youth voices, and inspire action across borders.Listen to the award-winning podcast Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking conversations on culture, communication, and the power of collaboration.🏆 Gold Winner for Thought Leadership at the 2025 Signal Awards.Additional Resources: Next Gen Brazil 2025https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/next-generation-brazilUK/Brazil Season of Culture 2025-26https://www.britishcouncil.org.br/en/programmes/arts/ukbrseasonThe Javaad Alipoor Companyhttps://www.javaadalipoor.co.uk/
• Culture as climate action: creativity, community and change 24.09.2025 34min

  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’ global gathering on climate change (the Conference of the Parties - COP), we’re asking how culture and creativity can build more resilient communities and more sustainable futures.Christine is joined by Dr. Sally Flint, a writer, researcher, and creative lead of the We Are the Possible programme at the University of Exeter - an international initiative using poetry and storytelling to communicate the climate crisis. Through Sally’s work, we explore the power of the arts to foster emotional connection, shift perspectives, and imagine new possibilities for the planet.We also hear from May al-Ibrashy, a conservation architect and founder of Megawra, an Egyptian initiative preserving historic Cairo through community-led heritage projects. As the climate crisis reshapes urban life, May shares how heritage conservation can restore not only buildings, but also agency, pride and collective memory.Together, Sally and May offer a powerful reminder that culture is not just what we stand to lose, it’s also how we find the strength to act.Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking conversations on culture, communication, and the power of education.Additional Resources & Links:Season 1 Episode 5: Climate change and cultural heritage with Dr Scott Orr and Barbra Babweteera Mutambihttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/our-world-connected-podcast/climate-change-cultural-heritage-protecting-past-futureClimate change impacts on cultural heritagehttps://www.britishcouncil.org/climate-change-impacts-cultural-heritage-0The British Council Strategic Literature Review: Climate Change Impacts on Cultural Heritagehttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/british-council-strategic-literature-review-climate-change-impacts-cultural Follow British Council Research and Insight:Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribeTwitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
• Season 3 - Trailer 17.09.2025 2min

  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 how cultural heritage and creative writing are inspiring new approaches to climate action, to how international cultural seasons help build bridges between nations, we’ll hear stories from people working on the ground in Egypt, Brazil, Thailand, the UK and beyond.Join Christine Wilson, Director of Research and Insight at the British Council, and her diverse range of guests as they reflect on the power of culture to shape more peaceful and prosperous futures.If you’re curious about the world in 2025, or simply want to hear fresh perspectives from people shaping culture across continents, follow Our World, Connected, wherever you get your podcasts, and be the first to listen to Season 3.Additional Resources and Links:Climate change impacts on cultural heritage | British CouncilSoft power at a turning point, a comparative analysis | British CouncilUsing multilingual practices | Teaching English | British CouncilTransnational Education - What We Know | British CouncilFollow British Council Research and Insight:Newsletter - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter - https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
• Teaching hope: conflict, courage and community 10.09.2025 13min

  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 African Leadership Centre. Drawing on her own experiences of conflict in Nigeria and her career at the UN, ‘Funmi shares why she sees education as central to rebuilding societies — from restoring institutions after war, to forging equitable partnerships that transcend borders.We also hear from Nigerian activist Wadi Ben-Hirki, who has spent nearly a decade advocating for marginalised girls, and from Dr Koula Charitonos of the Open University, who explores how EdTech can offer opportunities for refugees, but also how it has the potential to exacerbateinequalities, and most fundamentally, to lose that human aspect of education.Together, these voices reveal how, even in the face of violence and instability, education can act as a lifeline — shaping futures, strengthening communities, and creating the possibility of lasting peace.Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more global stories on culture, connection, and the power of education.Additional Resources and Links:Episode 8 Season 1 | Culture and education: Seeds of hope in times of conflicthttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/our-world-connected-podcast/culture-education-hope Teaching for peace - British Councilhttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/teaching-for-peaceTransnational education: students from conflict-affected regions opting for UK universitieshttps://www.britishcouncil.org/about/press/students-conflict-affected-regions-opting-uk-universities International higher education partnerships and the Sustainable Development GoalsInternational higher education partnerships and the Sustainable Development Goals | British CouncilResearch in the midst of conflict: New perspectives on peacebuilding in Sudan and Ethiopiahttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/research-in-conflict Follow British Council Research and Insight:Newsletter - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter - https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
• Living stories: art, space and memory 03.09.2025 15min

  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, memory, and justice, Kabage shares his reflections on vernacular architecture, the legacy of British colonialism, and the importance of caves as spaces of cultural knowledge. His work, including the groundbreaking UK-Kenya collaboration Geology of Britannic Repair, exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale, asks urgent questions about how we live, what we build, and what we choose to remember.Christine also draws on insights from other voices featured in Season 2 — including artist Rosie Olang’ Odhiambo and filmmaker Noé Mendelle — to explore how storytelling takes many forms, from exhibitions and documentaries to the natural world around us. Together, these creative practitioners show how the stories we choose to tell can become tools for connection, repair, and collective healing.Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking conversations on culture, communication, and the power of storytelling.Additional Resources & Links:Digital Cultural Heritage: Imagination, innovation and opportunityhttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/digital-cultural-heritageUK Arts, Culture and Young People: Innovative practice and trendshttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/UK-arts-young-peopleOFF/TRACK Collective: Imagining New forms of Cultural Productionhttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/new-cultural-productionFocus on Ukraine – Supporting Decolonisation in Museumshttps://arts.britishcouncil.org/resources/focus-ukraine-supporting-decolonisation-museumsFollow British Council Research and Insight:Newsletter - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter - https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
• Rewired: How technology is changing us all 27.08.2025 16min

  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, Beeban reflects on the urgent need to rethink how technology is designed and regulated — and the responsibilities of governments, educators, and tech companies in keeping young people safe online.Christine also connects Beeban’s insights to other voices from across the series: from linguist David Crystal on how digital culture is reshaping our language, to consultant Larisa Halilovic on how new technologies are impacting on how we communicate — and what we feel we can trust.Together, these conversations explore a central issue of our time: how digital tools are transforming us all — and how we can harness them for connection, creativity, and positive change.Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking conversations on culture, communication, and the power of education.Additional Resources & Links:Digital Cultural Relations https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/digital-cultural-relationsWhy technology needs artists: 40 international perspectiveshttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/why-technology-needs-artists Digital Cultural Heritage: Imagination, innovation and opportunityhttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/digital-cultural-heritage Relevant 5Rights Foundation research:Inquiry finds UK Government must regulate GenAI and close online safety loopholeshttps://5rightsfoundation.com/inquiry-finds-uk-government-must-regulate-genai-and-close-online-safety-loopholes/New UK data law: what does it mean for children’s privacy?https://5rightsfoundation.com/new-uk-data-law-what-does-it-mean-for-childrens-privacy/ Follow British Council Research and Insight:Newsletter - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter - https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
• Connecting through dialogue: deep listening in divided times 18.06.2025 33min

  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. Drawing on her work from across news, conflict resolution and academia, Emily’s new book Deep Listening: Transform Your Relationships with Family, Friends, and Foes offers a practical guide to navigating disagreement and building connection in a noisy, polarised world.We also hear from Hawraa Ghandour, an English teacher, educational trainer and founder of Media Literacy Lebanon. Hawraa took part in the BBC and British Council’s Crossing Divides deep listening project in Lebanon, an experience that continues to shape her work with students and communities, using media and dialogue to foster understanding.Together, Emily and Hawraa reflect on the challenges of truly hearing another’s perspectives, and how slowing down, staying curious, and practising empathy, can create the space we need to leave aside our assumptions and bring about positive change.Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking conversations on culture, communication, and the power of education.Additional Resources & Links:Deep Listening: A Transformative Experience - By Tiba Khalifa, 90 Youth Voices Participant, British Councilhttps://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/deep-listening-transformative-experienceDeep listening as an approach to tackle polarisationhttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/deep-listening-approach-tackle-polarisationCrossing Divides with Deep Listening for BBC100https://www.bbc.com/news/world-61984236Follow British Council Research and Insight:Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
• Changing words, changing worlds: English in an age of transformation 04.06.2025 49min

  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 renowned linguist and author David Crystal, one of the world’s leading experts on the English language. With more than 100 books to his name – including the landmark Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language – David reflects on how English has evolved over centuries, and what its future might look like in an increasingly digital world.We also hear from César Bizetto, an English teacher, teacher trainer, and academic director based in São Paulo. With over 20 years of classroom experience, César shares how English language instruction has changed in Brazil, and why he believes teaching English is about more than grammar, it’s about opening doors.Together, David and César explore how English is shifting across contexts, continents, and generations, and what that means for education, culture, and connection.Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more global stories on culture, connection, and the power of education.Additional Resources & Links:The Future of English research programme: https://www.britishcouncil.org/future-of-english The Future of English: in conversation with David Crystal (March 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64HRT797Lsc Follow British Council Research and Insight:Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
• Power in knowledge: How girls’ education helps communities thrive 21.05.2025 34min

  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 activist and founder of the Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation, who has spent nearly a decade advocating for marginalised girls across Nigeria. From addressing early marriage to supporting school re-entry, Wadi shares how her youth-led organisation empowers young women through education, equality, and opportunity.We also hear from Diana, an EDGE trainer working under a pseudonym in Myanmar, who was inspired by her mother to pursue a career in education. Through the British Council’s English and Digital for Girls’ Education programme (EDGE), Diana teaches English, life skills and digital literacy to girls from displaced and marginalised communities – helping them rebuild confidence and resilience in the face of conflict and multiple crises.Together, Wadi and Diana reflect on the power of education to reshape not only individual lives, but entire societies, and what it takes to make that vision a reality.Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more global stories on culture, connection, and the power of education.Additional Resources & Links:The Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundationhttps://www.instagram.com/wadibenhirkifoundation/EDGE Programmehttps://www.britishcouncil.org/english-assessment/english-programmes/english-language-empowerment/english-digital-girls-educationSchools Connect report: Status of Gender Responsive Inclusive School Practiceshttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/status-gender-responsive-inclusive-school-practices-ethiopian-primary-schools-focusSchools Connect report: Creating more inclusive schoolinghttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/creating-more-inclusive-schooling Schools Connect report: Barriers to girls’ education – A synthesis of British Council research in Africahttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/schools-connect-barriers-girls-education Follow British Council Research and Insight:Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
• Exhibitions in motion: what happens when art travels 07.05.2025 35min

  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 Rosie Olang’ Odhiambo, who speaks about her collaborative, cross-disciplinary practice and her recent exhibition, In Transit: Under Another Sky, which she co-curated with E.N. Mirembe. First shown in Kampala and Nairobi, and soon opening at the Africa Centre in London, the exhibition weaves together sound, image, and text to explore transience, marginal identities, and shifting geographies.We also hear from Kabage Karanja, an architect and co-founder of Nairobi’s cave_bureau. Speaking from the British Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale, Kabage reflects on using caves as sites of cultural memory and of decolonial storytelling and his bold vision for architecture as a force of geological repair.Together, Rosie and Kabage explore what it means to tell stories of place, migration, and resistance — and how visual arts and architecture can both reflect and reshape the world we live in.Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking discussions on culture, connection, and the power of education.Additional Resources & Links:British Council Artshttps://arts.britishcouncil.org/UK at the Venice Biennalehttps://venicebiennale.britishcouncil.org/cave_bureauhttps://www.cave.co.ke/Follow British Council Research and Insight:Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
• Classrooms in crisis: the role of education technology in conflict 23.04.2025 33min

  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 — especially for young learners living through conflict.In this episode of Our World, Connected, we explore the transformative role of educational technology in some of the world's most challenging environments. With millions of children living in conflict zones today—almost double the number from just a few decades ago—access to education has taken on new urgency and new forms. Host Christine Wilson speaks with Dr. Koula Charitonos, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Educational Technology at the Open University, to unpack the promises, limitations, and ethical complexities of EdTech, particularly for learners facing extraordinary hardships.We also hear from Olga Pavlenko, a senior teacher and teacher trainer based in Kyiv, Ukraine, who shares her first-hand experiences teaching through a full-scale invasion — and how technology became her students' lifeline to learning. Together, Olga and Koula unpack the realities of digital education in conflict zones and refugee camps, from resilience and connection to the risks of surveillance and digital colonialism.Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking discussions on culture, connection, and the power of education.Additional Resources & Links:English and Empowermenthttps://www.britishcouncil.org/english-assessment/english-programmes/english-language-empowerment Supporting schools and teachers teaching refugee children https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/case-studies-insights-and-research/supporting-schools-and-teachers-teaching-refugee Understanding Ukrainian young people’s current concerns, needs, and hopes: Looking ahead to a future rebuilding of Ukrainehttps://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/concerns-needs-hopes-ukraine Understanding the effectiveness of professional development opportunities for teachers delivered remotelyhttps://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/case-studies-insights-and-research/understanding-effectiveness-professional https://www.open.edu/openlearn/education-development/learning/the-open-sanctuary-hubFollow British Council Research and Insight:Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
• Tech, trust, and teens: who’s looking out for young people online? 09.04.2025 35min

  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 navigate. So how can we ensure young people develop the digital skills they need, whilst staying safe online?In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson delves into the complexities of growing up in an era of screen ubiquity. She is joined by Baroness Beeban Kidron, a leading advocate for children’s digital rights, crossbench peer in the House of Lords, and founder of the 5Rights Foundation. Together, they explore the urgent need for digital regulation, the responsibilities of governments and tech companies, and the impact of online platforms on young people’s well-being.We also hear from 17-year-old Nicole Valeria Ruiz Valencia, a data engineering and AI student from Colombia. Nicole shares how coding transformed her perspective on the world, empowering her to solve real-world problems. But she also reflects on the dangers of the digital sphere and the importance of awareness in navigating online spaces safely.Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking discussions on culture, connection, and the power of education.Additional Resources & Links:Digital cultural relations: a pathway to trust? https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/digital-cultural-relations-pathway-trustSkills for inclusive digital participation: https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/non-formal-education/current-programmes/skills-inclusive-digital-participation5Rights Foundation: https://5rightsfoundation.com/about-us/ What is the Colombia Programme? - https://mintic.gov.co/colombiaprograma/847/w3-propertyvalue-916000.htmlFollow British Council Research and Insight:Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight