The Forum, the BBC World Service's flagship discussion programme, brings together prominent thinkers from different disciplines and different parts of the world with the aim of creating stimulating discussion informed by highly distinct academic, artistic, and cultural perspectives. The World Service broadcasts the programme on Saturdays at 2106 GMT and repeats it on Sundays at 0906 GMT and on Mondays at 0206 GMT. BBC Radio 4 also broadcasts an edited 30-minute version of the programme.
 | |
| Running time | 52 minutes |
|---|---|
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | BBC World Service |
| Hosted by | Bridget Kendall |
| Recording studio | Broadcasting House |
| Original release | 6 April 2008 |
| Website | bbcworldservice.com/forum |
| Podcast | The Forum podcast The Forum 60 second idea podcast |
Format
editEach episode of The Forum brings together three thinkers, leading figures from different academic and artistic disciplines. A typical line-up might include a scientist, a writer or other artist, and a philosopher or cultural thinker.
Each guest is questioned by the presenter about their latest big idea, a topic area that is of particular interest to them and in which they are a particular expert. During the course of each section the other guests are invited to contribute with criticisms, insights and support of their own.
Sixty Second Idea
editEach week one of the guests is invited to present an idea in sixty seconds that they believe will make the world a better place. These ideas are not always practicable, but they are frequently entertaining and insightful. The 60 Second Idea and the discussion it produces is released as a podcast.[1]
History
editThe first episode of the show was broadcast on the BBC World Service on 6 April 2008. It has been broadcast every week since then.
The Forum was founded by Emily Kasriel, who was the program's Executive Producer for the show's first four years and occasionally presented it, as well as painting illustrations for The Forum's website.[2][3][4]
Presenters
editThe programme's presenter, who has been part of the show since its inception, is former BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall.
Guest presenters
editDistribution
editThe Forum is broadcast through the BBC World Service and its international broadcasting partners. The show is also available online, to download and as a podcast.[5] All previous shows are archived online.[6]
Previous guests
editPrevious guests include:
- Nobel Prize–winning biologist John Sulston[7]
- Political scientist Joseph Nye[8]
- Former Afghan finance minister Ashraf Ghani[9]
- British astrophysicist Lord Martin Rees[10]
- Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie[11]
- Canadian writer Naomi Klein[12]
- Egyptian writer Alaa Al Aswany[13]
- Ghanaian philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah[14]
- Argentinian architect Cesar Pelli[15]
- US psychologist Steven Pinker[16]
- South African judge Albie Sachs[17]
- Polish Canadian writer Eva Hoffman[18]
- British philosopher John Gray[19]
- Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy[20]
Notes and references
edit- ^ The Forum Sixty Second Idea podcast
- ^ Harrad, Lindsey. "Oxonians at large - Talking points" (PDF). Oxford Today. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "Emily Kasriel". www.battleofideas.org.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "The Forum 07/03/2010". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ The Forum Podcast
- ^ The Forum Online Archive
- ^ John Hulston's appearance on the 10/08/2008 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ Joseph Nye's appearance on the 11/05/2008 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ Dr. Ashraf Ghani's appearance on the 01/06/2006 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ Lord Martin Rees' appearance on the 1st episode of The Forum on 06/04/2008, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ Chimanda Ngozi Adichie's appearance on the 13/04/2008 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ Namoi Klein's appearance on the 25/05/2008 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ Alaa Al Aswany's appearance on the 20/04/2008 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ Kwame Anthony Appiah's appearance on the 06/06/2008 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ Cesar Pelli's appearance on the 29/06/2008 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ Steven Pinker's appearance on the 15/06/2008 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ Albie Sach's appearance on the 15/06/2009 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009
- ^ Eva Hoffman's appearance on the 04/10/2009 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ John Gray's appearance on the 13/07/2008 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
- ^ Marcus du Sautoy's appearance on the 27/04/2008 episode of The Forum, retrieved on 28 October 2009.
External links
edit
- The Forum at BBC Online
- The Forum on Facebook
