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]](../../../../Global/Darwin_cropped90x90.jpg)
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: 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: 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.

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...

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

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...
