Podcast and Audio | Andy Carling

Interview with Eric Bednarski

I manged to have an interview with Eric Bednarski, the director The Strangest Dream. We discussed the life and work of the film’s central character, Sir Joseph Rotblat and about documentary filmaking in general.

Listen to an interview with the Director (13:29, 12MB mp3)

Part 2: Interview with Commissioner Wallstrom

This is the second and final part of the interview. Also present is Joe Hennon, her Spokesman. Part one is here

Part 2 Interview with Commissioner Wallstrom (31.05, 28.4mb, mp3)

Commissioner Margot Wallstrom

Criticism, the citizens’ right to have a voice, how to tell if a Commissioner is doing a good job, getting rid of jargon, what frustrates her, advice for the next commissioner, the difference between old and new media, making the pro-Europe case, why we need referenda, the workload of a commissioner, the difficulties of public life, the need for doubt, and starting writing.

Interview with Commissioner Wallstrom

Commissioner Margot Wallström

This is the first of a two-part podcast with Commissioner Wallström, who has revolutionised the European Union’s strategy for communicating with citizens and has been a bold experimenter in using internet based technologies for putting their message out and encougaring debate between the institutions and citizens.

Whilst her efforts have not always been appreciated, to put it mildly, by the EU institutions, her remarkable energy and tenacity is slowly changing the entrenched mindset of many people.

It may be too early to say how successful she has been, or if future Commissioners will continue opening up debate, her impact is beyond doubt.

As she nears the end of her two terms, she discussed openly, passionately and movingly on her work and beliefs, she also spoke about the price of a life in politics and her plans for the future.

Part 1: Interview with Commissioner Wallström (29.59, 25mb, mp3)
Reforming communication strategy, blogging, using the internet to encourage debate and discussion, why people’s attitudes to govenment has changed, why politicians blame ‘Brussels’ and the dangers of reading the Daily Mail every day.

Part 2 will be online tomorrow.

Chris Davies MEP

I recorded two excellent interviews with Chris Davies, one of Britain’s most effective Members of the European Parliament and recently nominated as MEP of the Year.

He’s recently visited Gaza, and blogged from there. He’s also known for leaking a report into MEP’s expenses and was recently busted for posessing cannabis as part of his decriminalisation campaign.

In this podcast, we covered a lot of ground and Chris spoke freely and interestingly and gave a real insight behind the parliamentary walls.

In this podcast the Lib-Dem MEP discusses a wide range of issues including;

Part 1: Gaza and Israel ( 14.37, 13.3MB, mp3)
His trips to Gaza, including during the conflict, dealing with Hamas and looking for a peace process, the Arab Peace Plan.

Part 2: The European Elections and the European Parliament (32.34, 29.8MB, mp3)
On prospects and effects of the BNP gaining seats, discussions on how to counter the far-right, The difference between European and national parliaments, the political process in Europe, the pro-Europe case, the Euro, the forthcoming elections and why European politics is boring.

Further Reading:
Chris Davies MEP official site – Contains articles, speeches etc.
Chris’ Weblog – includes his blogging from Gaza

Next Century Foundation

William Morris, Next Century Foundation

Last night I interviewed William Morris of the Next Century Foundation.

They are involved in conflict resolution in places such as Gaza, Iraq and also facilitate track 2 dialogues, for example arranging confidential discussions between Hamas and people who publically claim they’re not/ cannot talk to them. These meetings are a way of initiating a process of dialogue.

An example of such a process would be the secret talks between the UK and the IRA that ultimately led to the peace proccess.

Audio interview with William Morris (mp3 14.5MB)