Our World, Connected

British Council
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Our World, Connected

Our World, Connected is a brand-new podcast from the British Council, placing you at the heart of the biggest global conversations about culture, connection, and empowerment. Join host Christine Wilson, Director of British Council Research and Insight, and a diverse lineup of world-renowned experts and thinkers as they examine the most pressing issues of our time - and uncover the human stories behind them. We’ll explore the transformative power of arts, culture, language, and education amidst global challenges like peacebuilding, sustainable development, climate change, and the growth of AI.

  1. FEB 12

    Shaping perceptions: the global impact of soft power

    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 interactions. Joining host Christine Wilson is Professor J.P. Singh, Distinguished University Professor at George Mason University and an expert in international diplomacy, trade, and cultural influence. Together, they unpack the mechanics of soft power, the ways nations wield it, and its evolving role in geopolitics: focusing on values of attraction and reciprocity, rather than coercion and dominance. We also hear from Bill Morris, international event specialist and former director of culture, education, and ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics, who shares firsthand insights on how large-scale events serve as catalysts for national identity, social cohesion, and cross-cultural dialogue.  With growing global tensions, rising nationalism, and the rapid evolution of digital communication, soft power is more relevant than ever. It holds the space for finding commonalities across geo-political borders, whilst at the same time celebrating our cultural and artistic diversity. What does the future hold for soft power in an era of AI, misinformation, and shifting alliances? And how can the UK’s new Soft Power Council harness culture, creativity, and diplomacy for national and global benefit? Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking discussions on culture, connection, and global influence. 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

    39 min

  2. JAN 29

    National identity and culture: played out on a stage

    “I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” The words of Oscar Wilde set the stage for this episode, where we are examining the power of the theatre to inspire and connect across borders.  In this episode, we’re specifically looking at the concept of identity, in particular national identity and national culture, and how this is played out on stage, by examining the role of national theatre and telling a nation's story both at home and in the wider world.  Host Christine Wilson is joined in the studio by Jackie Wylie. Jackie has been the Artistic Director and Chief Executive at the National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) since 2017. We also travel to Argentina where we hear from Rubén Otero, who is a naval veteran of the South Atlantic conflict between the UK and Argentina. Rubén participated in the play, Minefield, which brought together veterans from both sides to explore the conflict and its impact. In the conversation, both Christine and Jackie speak about the origins of NTS from its early days in a newly devolved Scotland, and how it has evolved to articulate the diverse experiences of Scots from across the country, as well as represent Scotland on the world stage. They talk about the magic of the collective experience for the audience, and how the artform continues to adapt to engage theatregoers in our fast paced world. Rubén illustrates the power of drama in his telling of the story of making the play Minefield, in particular the experience of sharing the stage with men who were once seen as enemies.  This episode invites you to be part of the conversation and consider how we can better connect with each other, whatever the context. 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

    39 min

  3. JAN 15

    Voices of change: communication in times of conflict

    Welcome to the new series of Our World, Connected. We’re starting our second season by looking at the idea of ‘connection’. And we hope that the fact you are listening to this podcast is because you are interested in connecting with the wider world. And what’s the most fundamental form of connection? Communication. In this episode, we’re looking specifically at communication during conflict. We’re investigating how both traditional and newer media platforms can help and hinder people in understanding their communities and contexts, as well as how arts and creativity can bring people together, promote dialogue, support conflict resolution and ultimately foster peace.  Host Christine Wilson is joined in the studio by Larisa Halilovic. Larisa is a consultant, and is currently the Team Leader for the UK-Government funded programme Western Balkans Media for Change. We also travel to Sri Lanka’s capital city Colombo, to hear from Sandev Handy, a senior curator at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka. Throughout 2024, he has been working with an EU-funded programme, implemented by the British Council, called Supporting Effective Dispute Resolution (SEDR). In their conversation, Christine and Larisa talk in depth about issues such as communicating through different languages, managing community tensions, and the art of storytelling in sensitive situations. They also touch on the impact of new technologies, such as AI, on communications, particularly the impact on the trust readers and listeners have in what they see and hear.  Sandev shares his experiences, and a powerful memory from a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, USA, where he noticed how a painting had spontaneously prompted a conversation about history and slavery. He recounts what he learnt when it came to using the arts to enable discussion around challenging issues in Sri Lanka, such as land rights, as it emerged from a period of conflict.  This episode invites you to be part of the conversation and to consider how we can better connect with each other, whatever the context. 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

    39 min

  4. TRAILER

    Season 2 - Trailer

    Season 2 of Our World, Connected is here! Over 12 episodes, we’ll be building on the discussions we had in season 1, with a new collection of conversations and stories exploring our complex and interconnected world. Topics will include considering the role of local and independent media in supporting societies dealing with conflict, the potential of theatre, film and art to build bridges across borders, and how researchers and scientists are establishing intercultural connections through their work. And what do we mean when we talk about soft power?  Join Christine Wilson, Director of Research and Insight at the British Council, and her fascinating guests from countries including Brazil, India, Libya, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and the UK.  If you’re a global citizen, or you’re just curious about the world in 2025, make sure to follow Our World, Connected wherever you get your podcasts to be the first to listen to the new season.

    3 min

  5. 12/18/2024 · BONUS

    Bonus episode: on empowerment

    What is needed to enable individuals and communities to have control over their lives and futures? In this mini episode of Our World, Connected, Christine Wilson, Director of Research and Insight at the British Council, explores the theme of empowerment by reflecting on insights shared by a wide range of speakers from Season 1. The episode investigates three critical pathways to empowerment: access to education, the use of technology, and intergenerational cooperation. From the transformative power of education and youth participation, to the nature of technology as both a tool for empowerment and a potential source of inequality, Christine and her guests examine the opportunities and challenges ahead. This is the final instalment of the 3-part mini-series we’re putting together as we prepare for Season 2 of Our World, Connected, coming in January 2025. Episodes Featured: Culture and Education: Seeds of Hope in Times of Conflict How to ensure gender equality for the next generation? The power of language in difficult times What does AI mean for equality and inclusion? Youth skills in a rapidly changing world Are young people disengaged? The real story behind youth participation. The British Council in an evolving world: reflections on 90 years of building connections 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

    21 min

  6. 11/20/2024 · BONUS

    Bonus episode: on connection

    What role does language play in uniting us across borders and cultures? In this mini episode of Our World, Connected, Christine Wilson, Director of Research and Insight at the British Council, explores connection through language, examining how it serves as a vital tool for building bonds, fostering empathy, and bridging cultural divides. Drawing on insights from language education experts Harry Kuchah Kuchah and Marie Delaney, Christine explores how English serves as a bridge for global communication and highlights the importance of preserving linguistic diversity, protecting minority languages and embracing multilingualism. From the classrooms of the UK to the Zaatari Refugee Camp, these stories reveal how language can empower, dignify, and inspire greater understanding across communities. This is the second of a 3-part mini-series we’re putting together as we prepare for Season 2 of Our World, Connected, coming this January. Episodes Featured: What role does English play in our multilingual world? The power of language in difficult times 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

    15 min

  7. 10/30/2024 · BONUS

    Bonus episode: on culture

    What does culture mean to you? Is it the art we create, the traditions we carry, or the values we hold dear? In this mini episode of Our World, Connected, Christine Wilson, Director of Research and Insight at the British Council, delves deeper into the multifaceted nature of culture and its incredible power to connect, inspire, and heal.  Christine revisits some of the most impactful conversations from the first season, featuring insights from Alexandra Xanthaki, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, Scott Orr, a data scientist from the UCL Institute of Sustainable Heritage, David Watson, the Executive Director of Audiences and Media at National Museums Liverpool, and Hala Nur, a British Council colleague working in Sudan. Together, they discuss how culture transcends borders, linking people through shared values, language, art, and traditions. From the Eurovision Song Contest's unifying magic to the profound connection between culture and the environment, we unpack how culture shapes our world and fosters a deep sense of belonging. This is the first of a 3-part mini-series we’re putting together as we prepare for Season 2 of Our World, Connected, coming this January. Episodes Featured: Is culture the missing key to global progress? United by music: Lessons from Eurovision 2023 Climate Change and Cultural Heritage: Protecting our Past and Future Culture and Education: Seeds of Hope in Times of 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

    17 min

  8. 09/11/2024

    The British Council in an evolving world: reflections on 90 years of building connections

    For 90 years, the British Council has been creating connections between the UK and the rest of the world. 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 at 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.   Dive deeper:  Digital Timeline – Celebrating 90 years of the British Council | British Council Cultural Relations Collection series – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/research-series/cultural-relations-collection  Next Generation Research series – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/research-series/next-generation 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

    40 min
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Trailers

About

Our World, Connected is a brand-new podcast from the British Council, placing you at the heart of the biggest global conversations about culture, connection, and empowerment. Join host Christine Wilson, Director of British Council Research and Insight, and a diverse lineup of world-renowned experts and thinkers as they examine the most pressing issues of our time - and uncover the human stories behind them. We’ll explore the transformative power of arts, culture, language, and education amidst global challenges like peacebuilding, sustainable development, climate change, and the growth of AI.

Information

  • Creator
    British Council
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © British Council
  • Show Website
    Our World, Connected

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