Lecture Series: Talking without Borders
The British Council Talking without Borders series addresses some of the most pressing global issues of our time. As the challenges of poverty, climate change and terrorism increasingly threaten our future, Talking without Borders brings together leading minds from around the world to stimulate global conversations in the search for global solutions. The lectures and debates show the vital role that cultural relations plays in building trust and understanding worldwide.
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COMING UP: Wangari Maathai - The Thin Green Line
On her way to the Copenhagen Climate Change Convention, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai will discuss the limitations of politics and the need for activity from the ground up.
COMING UP: Shami Chakrabarti - Public Diplomacy
The Liberty director will be discussing how grass-roots groups are taking over from elites in the field of international relations.
E. O. Wilson: Darwin, 'The Origin' and the Future of Biology
On 24 November 2009, Pulitzer Prize-winning scientist E. O. Wilson spoke in celebration of Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species', published exactly 150 years ago.
Benjamin Barber: Patriotism, Autonomy or Subversion?
In a lively and thought-provoking talk at the Barbican on 04 November 2009, the US author assessed various predicaments of the arts in modern, capitalist democracies - compared to their position in dictatorships and theocracies.
Gijs de Vries: Winning Friends and Influence
On 22 October 2009, former EU-counter terrorism co-ordinator Gijs de Vries called for cultural diplomacy to form a central element of the European Union’s international relations work. Read the summary and transcript here.
David Lordkipanidze: British Science Festival Lecture
On 8 September 2009 Professor David Lordkipanidze spoke about his research into the first humans out of Africa, who migrated nearly 1.8million years ago.
Muhammad Yunus: Framework for a Better Future
On 29 May 2009, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus presented a new banking model based on social impact instead of profit or charity.
Has aid improved the life of Africans – is it time to stop?
In a Talking without Borders debate in Lusaka, Zambia on 21 May, economist and best selling author of 'Dead Aid' Dambisa Moyo argued that Africa must no longer depend on Western aid.
Tackling climate change together
In his lecture at the Royal Society, Mexico’s President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa emphasised the importance of nations working together to tackle one of the most important challenges of our time – climate change.
Education will cure everything
On 5 March Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen gave his recipe for human progress: education will cure everything.
