World Questions

Iceland is known for its rugged wilderness, booming tourist industry and a high standard of living. But this small nation in the North Atlantic is not immune from the challenges facing the rest of the world. Rising inflation is making it harder for young people to afford a home of their own. And as the globe warms, glaciers are melting and the landscape that draws so many visitors is changing.Jonny Dymond is in Reykjavik with a public audience and panel of leading politicians and commentators to debate the big issues facing this ancient democracy, including whale hunting, immigration, sustainable tourism and how to protect Iceland’s unique culture from increasing globalisation.Producer: Steven Williams

The rights of indigenous peoples, the practicalities of imposing a ban on sex outside marriage, public education and how Indonesia can boost its economy to reach its full potential are some of the issues brought up for discussion by the Indonesian public.Indonesia, which is made up of over 17,000 islands stretching from Asia to Australia, faces many challenges including demands for independence in several provinces, environmental degradation, food insecurity and a capital city that is slowly sinking into the ground. In this virtual edition of World Questions, Jonny Dymond asks Indonesians how they see the future of their country.The panel: Sandiaga Uno: Minister for Tourism and the Creative Economy Rukka Sombolinggi: Secretary General, Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) Yenny Wahid: Director of Wahid Institute Andreas Harsono: Human Rights Watch, IndonesiaProducers: Steven Williams and Helen Towner

Georgia Meloni has been sworn in as Italy’s first female Prime Minister and leader of a new right-wing government. She has committed to reducing immigration, helping families in difficulty with high energy prices and supporting Ukraine with arms and aid. Jonny Dymond, with a public audience and panel of leading politicians debate big issues facing this European democracy, including trust in politics, war in Europe and LGBTQ rights.On the panel: Nicola Procaccini MEP: Head of Energy and Environment for Fratelli D’Italia Christian Di Sanzo MP: PD Deputy for North and Central America Senator Alessandra Maiorino: Deputy Leader of Movimento 5 Stelle in the Senate Paola Tommasi: Economic Advisor to Forza Italia and Columnist for Il Tempo

Fuel shortages, electricity cuts, food security, climate change and corruption: Jonny Dymond presents a public debate in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, on these issues of national importance.Malawi is one of the poorest nations on earth with over half the population living on less than a dollar a day. How to move the country forward?The panel includes some of Malawi’s senior politicians and campaigners who answer questions posed directly by the audience.The panel: Gospel Kazako: Minister for Information and Government spokesman Marie Mainja: Of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chikondi Chijozi: Lawyer and a commissioner on the Malawian Human Rights Commission Charles Kajoloweka: Founder and Executive Director of Youth and Society (YAS)BBC World Questions is a series of international events created in partnership with the British Council, which connects the UK and the world through arts, culture, education and the English language. (Photo: Women and Children in Lilongwe, Malawi)

China’s claims that the ‘breakaway’ island of Taiwan has always been part of its territory, has led some to believe that Beijing will be emboldened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and will move to annex the island. With President Xi Jinping’s crackdown on freedoms and democracy in Hong Kong, the Taiwanese are becoming more nervous - particularly as President Putin proclaimed Russia is building a new "democratic world order" with China. But if China were to invade Taiwan how would the West respond – particularly the USA?

An assassination attempt on the Vice President, the impact of legalising abortion, sky-high inflation and the Falkland/Malvinas question: the big issues in Argentina are debated by an enthusiastic audience firing challenging questions at a panel of experts and political insiders in the capital. Jonny Dymond presents on location in this vibrant and vocal Latin American democracy.The Panel: Delfina Rossi: Economist and Director of Banco Cuidad Emmanuel Ferrario: Vice Chief of Government for the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires Ana Iparraguirre:, Political Analyst and Senior Vice President of GBAO Consulting Agostina Mileo: Environmental Scientist and Feminist Activist

Devastating floods, political instability, economic turmoil… as Pakistan grapples with enormous challenges, Jonny Dymond hears from a young panel of activists, academics and politicians debating questions raised by under 30s across the country. They discuss the government’s reaction to the floods, climate change, the role of women, relations with India, the role of the army in politics and what their future vision is for Pakistan, a country with the fifth largest population in the world.The panel: Maria Malik: Director of Research, Balochistan Think Tank Network, Quetta Rehan Zeb Khan: Chairman, Tribal Youth Forum Pakistan and member of the Prime Minister’s National Youth Council of Pakistan Ailia Zehra: Former Editor, Naya Daur Media and The Friday Times Ammar Ali Jan: Founder and President of Haqooq-e-Khalq Movement

Is the Commonwealth of Nations still relevant?

World Questions debates the future of Taiwan. Jonny Dymond presents the programme with a panel of leading politicians and questioners from across the region discussing relations with China, migrant workers, the legalisation of cannabis and the province's low birth rate.The panel: Jason Hsu, Senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School and former Kuomintang Party (KMT) legislator Wen Lii, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Country Director, Matsu Islands Emily Wu, Podcaster and journalist Professor Kerry Brown, Director, Lau China Institute at King's College London

The war in Ukraine has proved a turning point for German policy makers who have pledged to increase defence spending and wean themselves off their dependence on Russian gas and oil. But at what cost to the German public? How deep is the new consensus in Berlin? How will Germany face these new challenges in foreign policy and energy and inflation problems at home? German politicians and opinion formers take questions from a live audience at Berlin's Humboldt University in a debate chaired by Jonny Dymond.The panel: Nils Schmid: SPD MP and foreign affairs spokesperson Johann Wadephul: CDU MP and member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Daniela Schwarzer: Political scientist and Open Society Executive Director for Europe Franziska Brantner: Green Party MP and Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic AffairsBBC World Questions is a series of international events created in partnership with the British Council, which connects the UK and the world through arts, culture, education and the English language.