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-peace

• https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/cities-everyday-endotic-cultural-relations

• https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/eurovision2023

• https://www.britishcouncil.rs/en/programmes/education/different-memories-shared-futures-towards-inclusive-memorialisation

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 resources

1. l021_young_arab_voice_from_voice_to_encounter_final_v2_web.pdf

2. https://www.britishcouncil.ly/en

3. https://www.britishcouncil.org/partner/international-development/approach/regions/middle-east-north-africa
   

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 1989-2025

https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/UK-cultural-diplomacy-Europe

Afghanistan: the inside story of the withdrawal

https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/afghanistan-inside-story-of-the-withdrawal

Global Perceptions 2025
https://www.britishcouncil.org/global-perceptions-2025