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People Fixing the World

People Fixing the World

BBC World Service 483 Episodes Jul 21, 2026

Brilliant solutions to the world’s problems. We meet people with ideas to make the world a better place and investigate whether they work.

Episodes

How to make cities better for everyone
How to make cities better for everyone Jul 21, 2026 1813 A special edition of People Fixing The World recorded in front of a live audience at the University of Nairobi as part of the BBC’s Future of Journalism Festival.Cities around the world are growing fast - they are the most efficient way of supporting large numbers of people. But many of them suffer chronic problems. There is often a shortage of decent housing. Getting around can be impossible with
How to reuse and repair
How to reuse and repair Jul 13, 2026 1379 Across the world, everyday products — from kitchen appliances to electronics — are often thrown away rather than repaired. The latest UN estimates suggest people generate around 2 billion tonnes of household and everyday waste each year. This week we travel to Argentina to meet people finding new ways to keep old things in use. We visit Club de Reparadores, where people are learning how to fix eve
Finding hidden entrepreneurs
Finding hidden entrepreneurs Jul 7, 2026 1400 At least once in a lifetime, everyone has a great business idea. They often come when life events force us to experience things from a different angle. This year, the city of Liverpool in north England set about finding these “hidden entrepreneurs” with the help of an organisation called Public Life. The entrepreneurs come from all walks of life and have been offered a year’s wage to develop their
Living longer, living better
Living longer, living better Jun 30, 2026 1584 In Bergen, Norway, a two-day ageing festival is testing out new ways to build an age-friendly society—through culture, conversation and shared experiences. Myra Anubi joins in, meeting the people finding creative answers to loneliness, mental health, care and belonging, and hearing hopes for a future where generations mix rather than separate. From masterclasses to inspiring collective events, the
Freeing modern slaves
Freeing modern slaves Jun 23, 2026 1405 People trafficking is a crime that often takes place in plain sight - victims are often exploited and controlled in everyday situations. It’s also a crime that touches all of us - the food we eat, the phones we use, the clothes we wear, may all have been produced using slave labour. We’ll hear about ways to break the cycle of trafficking. In the US we take a ride with Truckers Against Trafficking,
Snakebite solutions
Snakebite solutions Jun 16, 2026 1405 Snakebite kills tens of thousands of people every year, many of them in rural communities where treatment can be delayed, expensive or difficult to reach. In southern Nepal, reporter Craig Langran joins a community organiser responding to snake rescue calls and teaching villagers what to do when snakes appear near their homes. And in a laboratory at Monash University in Malaysia, researchers are w
Ending violence against women
Ending violence against women Jun 9, 2026 1394 Sexual and gender-based violence remains a reality for many women. In this programme we go to Rwanda to meet survivors who are beginning to find their voice after years of silence. We follow projects led by the development charity Tearfund and meet Sabine Nkusi, the organisation's lead on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence. They are projects that create safe spaces for women who ha
Slow down!
Slow down! Jun 2, 2026 1398 Is our modern obsession with speed damaging us? This week we explore the slow movement - a philosophy that challenges our fixation with productivity and suggests slowing down could offer a more meaningful way to live.Joined by Dr Joanne Lee from the University of Warwick, we visit a school garden and restaurant in Malawi to see how Slow Food is influencing how people grow and consume food. And pre
The dogs that bring hope
The dogs that bring hope May 26, 2026 1455 Rescued street dogs in Uganda help survivors find comfort, healing and renewed hope.Northern Uganda was torn apart by a violent insurgency led by the Lords Resistance Army some twenty years ago. Kidnapping, rape and mutilation were commonplace. Many thousands of people were left with physical and emotional scars as a result. But one organisation is helping to bring comfort to those who have suffer
How to thrive with ADHD
How to thrive with ADHD May 19, 2026 1393 People with ADHD can face many challenges including struggles with attention, impulsivity and time management. In this programme we go to global creative company DRPG’s offices in the UK where they are doing things differently to support their ADHD colleagues. We also hear about the work of Unlocking ADHD, a charity set up by Singapore based Moonlake Lee who believes that the key to navigating lif
Saving Chile's urban wetlands
Saving Chile's urban wetlands May 12, 2026 1401 We visit the communities in Chile restoring vital wetlands in cities and towns.Chile’s urban wetlands are under pressure from rapid development, pollution and neglect, yet they play a crucial role in storing rainwater, supporting wildlife and reducing floods.We visit the southern city of Valdivia where local communities have restored damaged wetlands by clearing rubbish, replanting native species
The SafeBox
The SafeBox May 2, 2026 1394 The group carrying on investigations when journalists are silenced.Over the last five years, almost 200 journalists have been killed outside conflict zones, with reporters being murdered while investigating corruption, organised crime and environmental destruction. For World Press Freedom Day, People Fixing the World looks at the work of a pioneering organisation that is trying to help. Forbidden

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