Share

cover art for Bridging the divides: the world of modern diplomacy

Reasons to be Cheerful with Ed Miliband & Geoff Lloyd

Bridging the divides: the world of modern diplomacy

Season 1, Ep. 288
•

Hello! Every day, remarkable acts of diplomacy are happening around the world to bring us one step closer to cooperation on our biggest conflicts and challenges. But how much do we really know about what goes on behind closed doors? And what are the ingredients of a successful negotiation? We speak to climate diplomacy legend and friend of the pod, Christiana Figueres, about her leadership on one of the most extraordinary diplomatic feats: the 2015 Paris Agreement. Gabrielle Rifkind, a specialist in conflict resolution, tells us about the importance of finding the ‘human face’ of conflict. Finally, the EU’s former top diplomat Catherine Ashton talks to us about the highs and lows of her time on the job, and why all of us are diplomats without even knowing it.


Plus: We’ve talked sandwiches, we’ve talked toasters. Have a guess at which gadget has Ed bought for himself this week...


Guests

Christiana Figueres, co-founder of Global Optimism and former Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC 2010-2016 (@CFigueres / @OutrageOptimism) 


Gabrielle Rifkind, Specialist in conflict resolution and Director of the Oxford Process (@OxfordProcess)


Catherine Ashton, Former High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and author of And then what? Inside stories of 21st century diplomacy 


More information

Buy a copy of Catherine's book

Listen to Outrage and Optimism, Christiana and Tom Rivett-Carnac's podcast

Learn more about the Oxford Process

'We need to rethink how we do diplomacy,' Guardian Article, Catherine Ashton

Learn more about the Paris Agreement, the legally binding treaty on climate change

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 23. CHATTEROO #21 England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country - And How To Set Them Straight

     42:12
    Just in time for St George's Day, former Mili-gang members Marc Stears & Tom Baldwin join the Chatteroo to talk about their excellent new book 'England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country - And How To Set Them Straight'Treat yourself to a copy - you deserve it! https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/england-9781526646231/Email us: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com

  • 22. CHATTEROO #20

     27:35
    Climate litigation in the 26 Cantons, the sense of smell in a digital world, Ed turns quizmaster, and your email.Throw us a chatty bone! What would you like to hear in the Chatteroo? chat@cheerfulpodcast.comPENGUINS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PwDFddpo4cCAN A WILD ANIMAL MAKE YOUR HOUSE FEEL LIKE A HOME? https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/can-wild-animal-make-your-house-feel-home?fbclid=PAAabIRLX2FP_IHykx-YjF75F2coLxbwYKDJv4U5NnMndw17bYa7qfcaQuxmQ_aem_AafVJaTzSreellMoKrLQZJrh5JYYNqpKYdJ7oZuPtj2iOQkJvm5zEvgI30s13GX9XTE

  • 21. CHATTEROO #19

     29:21
    We lament the passing of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and delve into the Chatteroo postbag.We'd love to hear from you - it's your Chatteroo, too: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com

  • 20. CHATTEROO #18 - Breaking The Habit(uation)

     54:10
    Neuroscientist and author Tali Sharot has joined the Chatteroo to talk about her excellent new book, 'Look Again - The Power of Noticing What Was Always There' (co-written with Cass R Sunstein.) It's the habituation sensation that's sweeping the nation.Email us! chat@cheerfulpodcast.com

  • 19. CHATTEROO #17

     25:17
    Includes a Presidential belch, life lessons from toddlers, the grace of a giraffe, and the Village People.We need your email to fuel the Chatteroo! chat@cheerfulpodcast.com

  • 18. CHATTEROO #16

     30:41
    The calm before the swarm, your email, and Ed shares his music lesson trauma.Email us! chat@cheerfulpodcast.comhttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/mar/14/theres-joy-i-havent-felt-for-years-how-i-got-hooked-on-the-piano-craze

  • 17. CHATTEROO #15

     35:04
    A flurry of email prompted by last week's episode, plus cheerful nuggets from John Kerry's New York Times exit interview, the age at which jeans become inappropriate, and an Oscars-themed quiz.Send us an email: chat@cheerfulpodcast.comJohn Kerry: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/opinion/john-kerry-climate-change-china.html

  • 16. CHATTEROO #14

     33:13
    Voicenotes, lessons from the New England Patriots, your email, and our best quiz yet.Chat makes the world go round! We need your email - send us facts about hedgehogs, stories of sticking to your guns, rules for voice-note etiquette, ideas for quizzes, articles... anything you'd like to hear Ed turn his big ol' brain to: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com

  • 15. CHATTEROO #13

     26:36
    Sad owl news, happy hedgehog news, and an encounter in the Portcullis House cafeteria queue. Plus, your email - send us more, please! chat@cheerfulpodcast.comLiebreich: Net Zero Will Be Harder Than You Think – And EasierPART 1: https://about.bnef.com/blog/liebreich-net-zero-will-be-harder-than-you-think-and-easier-part-i-harder/PART 2: https://about.bnef.com/blog/liebreich-net-zero-will-be-harder-than-you-think-and-easier-part-ii-easier/