On one day soon within the coming months, there will be 8 billion of we humans on this planet. Clustered across nearly 200 different nations we will all be hustling and bustling away, to survive in a world that is beset by uncertainties and complex social, economic, cultural, and ecological challenges. Given that most of these challenges have truly global dimensions, how do we rise above our own national concerns? Who will help us think and act beyond our borders? Who are our international guardians and carers?

Michael Sackett happens to be one of them and in and in his conversation with our host Richard Bawden, he shares his experiences and insights. For more than two decades, Michael worked in increasingly senior positions with the United Nations organisation, particular within the World Food Program and in the latter part of his career, in Humanitarian initiatives mostly in Africa and Asia.