In this episode, the British Council podcasts look 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.

Listen to the podcast.

The British Council and the University of Leeds have published the findings from their recent research collaboration into the role of non-formal education (NFE) in empowering young people to drive meaningful social change. The research focuses on development contexts and includes detailed studies into NFE initiatives in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Myanmar, as well as sharing insight from the British Council’s global youth leadership programme, Youth Connect. Read headline findings and access the project’s research outputs.

The war in Ukraine has brought about profound upheaval and uncertainty for young people, fundamentally altering their lives and aspirations. Understanding the impact of this conflict is essential to appreciating the resilience of Ukrainian society and its potential for recovery. The British Council’s new report, commissioned from LSE Consulting, explores how the war is shaping young people’s everyday experiences and their views on the future. Read more.