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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Charles Darwin © Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number, LC-DIG-ggbain-03485]

Debate: 150th anniversary of 'On the Origin of Species'

A debate on global Darwinism looking at how evolutionary theory spread across the world. The discussion will explore how his theory has embedded itself in public consciousness to form the basis for our modern understanding of life.

Benjamin Barber: Patriotism, Autonomy or Subversion?

In a vivid and thought-provoking talk, the US political theorist, author and playwright assessed various predicaments of the arts in modern, capitalist democracies - compared to their position in dictatorships and theocracies.

Shami Chakrabarti (c) Gurjit Nahal

Shami Chakrabarti: Public Diplomacy - whose role is it?

The Liberty director will be discussing how grass-roots groups are taking over from elites in the field of international relations.

Gijs de Vries

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.

Reconstruction of Dmanisi hominids

Professor David Lordkipanidze

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. Read more...

Muhammad Yunus

Framework for a better future: the promise of social business

Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus gave a lecture' A Framework for a Better Future' on 29 May in London

Dambisa Moyo

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.

President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa

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.

Professor Amartya Sen

Education will cure everything

On 5 March Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen gave his recipe for human progress: education will cure everything.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, photograph by Frank Noon

The Triumph of Goodness

The inaugural lecture on ‘The Triumph of Goodness’ marked global successes of cultural relations - such as the anti-apartheid movement and set out a challenge for global collaboration...

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75th Anniversary events