Wilton Park dialogues

Who can deliver the counter narrative against brutal violence and murder? This podcast discusses the role of the civil society movement as an agent for change. What is unique about their voice? And can they really influence government?

Lord Howell, Minister of State, FCO talks about the 54 nation Commonwealth as an instrument to foreign policy. How has the information revolution affected the commonwealth in the new international landscape and why is the Commonwealth important to the UK?

Minister of State for Security and Counter-Terrorism, Baroness Neville Jones, on the impact of the internet on terrorism and the ‘lone wolf’ terrorist. How has the internet changed terrorism? What resilience is there through the internet?

In dialogue with John Ruggie, we explore the business community's reaction to his UN mandate; the policy framework of protect, respect and remedy, and the nature of human rights problems experienced by business.

After a decade of deadlock the recent Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty review delivered breakthrough, but what has been achieved? We discuss the treaty’s 3 pillars, USA/Russia disarmament and how non-signatories to the treaty impact on its effectiveness.

Dialogue between the Afghan government and insurgents is ongoing, but how did talks begin? How did the government identify who to talk with? And what is so special about this insurgency? We address these questions and more.

2010 saw a major breakthrough in the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty on weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. We discuss its significance; focusing on the dynamics at play in the region, the bottlenecks and the first steps to forward progress.

Civil war and civil disruption: The need to engage in dialogue with the very people with who conflict is occurring. We address the history of talking while fighting, pre-conditions for dialogue and ask why an upsurge in fighting just before talks begin.

In recent times, we have seen major disasters in Haiti, Burma, Indonesia, China and Pakistan, but how prepared are affected cities to act as a hub of coordination of relief and recovery? And what is the role of external and foreign agencies on recovery?

With increasing global urbanisation comes increasing risk of urban disaster; but what constitutes an urban disaster? We address crime and civil control; the role of the UN and the problem if host nations are un-willing to receive international aid.

How does international aid create societal and political pressures within the very countries it aims to help? Focusing on Madagascar, we examine donor behaviour and its impact on a nation's capacity to deliver the responsibilities of government.

What are the challenges of change? How does the bilateral world influence the UN? We examine the changing picture for the UN and in particular its leadership on development.

Are we entering an era of European pragmatism in an age of European austerity? Do European politicians and public agree on EU expansion? Discussion touches on relations with the USA, China and on the emergence of a common security and foreign policy.

Here we examine China, in light of recent global economic shockwaves, to discover the philosophical and political origins of the term ‘harmonious society’ and its various challenges since 2005. Is there any link to ‘big society’ in the UK?

Japan is increasing its global role, refocusing internal contradictions and international behaviour. We examine what is required internally and the partnerships involved (US/China etc), plus the commonality between UK and Japanese interests.