Stay ConnectedDiscover the people and the projects trying to make the world a better place.
A weekly programme looking at common challenges around the world and the creative ways people are trying to tackle them.
Presenter Myra Anubi speaks to reporters, experts and innovators to investigate how effective different solutions are, share their successes and inspire listeners with what is possible.
Copyright: © (C) BBC 2022
US shopping malls, once a mainstay of American life, are in decline. Forty malls have closed since 2020, while more than 230 department stores have closed in the same time period, according to Green Street, a real estate analytics firm.
But where there is change, there is also opportunity.
After Burlington High School in Vermont had to close its doors because dangerous chemicals were found, the school hopped into a site vacated by Macy’s department store five years earlier.
The children now ride the escalator to class. Elsewhere, malls have been converted into offices, casinos or large healthcare facilities. We explore the surprising second life being offered to these temples of consumerism.
Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporter: William Kremer Series producer: Tom Colls Sound Mix: Anne Gardiner Editor: Penny Murphy
Email: peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk
Image: Pupils at a school in a department store.
As humanity expands further and further into the wild areas of the world, they are increasingly coming into conflict with the creatures that live there. One of those animals is the elephant. When tensions flare with these huge creatures, lives can be lost on both sides.
We investigate the people trying to resolve these conflicts in a peaceful, bloodless way - like the farmers placing beehives on their fences in Kenya to ward off elephants looking to eat their crops. Because despite their size, it turns out that elephants are scared of bees.
And in India, we meet a woman who is making trying to make sure people get the compensation they deserve when animals damage their land - so they don't let their anger out on the animals.
Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporter: Michael Kaloki Reporter/producer: Lizzy McNeill Series producer: Tom Colls Sound mix: Anne Gardiner Editor: Penny Murphy
Email: peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk Image: An African elephant (Credit: Getty Images)
How do you help older people, and particularly those with dementia, to remain independent for longer?
In Singapore, where dementia affects roughly 1 in 10 people over 60, the government are betting that the re-designing neighbourhoods with an aging population might just be the answer.
Reporter Craig Langran visits the Singaporean suburb of Nee Soon – an area of public housing which has been overhauled by a team of healthcare experts, designers, and residents – and looks at some of the other innovations in elderly care taking place in the country.
And we look at a village in France where everything has been designed especially for people with dementia.
Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporter: Craig Langran Series producer: Tom Colls Sound mix: Gareth Jones Editor: Penny Murphy
Email us: peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk Image: Leong Leng Nan and Ng Ha Dui
Many of the world’s most violent conflicts happen in the midst of some of its most valuable natural wildernesses. But protecting these areas’ biodiversity cannot happen until the fighting stops.
We look at how nature itself can be used to help build that peace, with a project in Colombia training former guerrilla fighters to create their own ecotourism initiatives.
They are protecting nature while integrating the former fighters back into society, following the end of Colombia’s civil war in 2016.
Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporter: Zoe Gelber Series producer: Tom Colls Sound mix: Gareth Jones Editor: Penny Murphy
Email: peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk Image: Former FARC member Cesar
The menopause is something half the world’s population goes through. But despite this, it’s still not much talked about - and in some places, remains taboo.
Which means many women hit this stage of life not understanding what’s happening to them.
We join a menopause cafe where people share experiences face-to-face, try out an app giving Indian women practical advice, and hear about workshops in Argentina where women learn how to replace expensive menopause products with cheaper items like coconut oil.
Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporters: Ann Hepburn and Claire Bates Series producer: Tom Colls Sound mix: Gareth Jones Editor: Penny Murphy
Email: peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk
Image: Rachel Weiss at a menopause cafe
Paraguay, like much of the world, has a problem with corruption. But a project in the country is trying to change that, by starting with the next generation.
Founded by David Riveros - who started his fight against corruption as a teenager - reAccion Paraguay works by providing schools with all the information they need to track the funds owed to them.
They then show teachers, parents and pupils how to collect evidence that the money hasn't arrived, so they can put pressure on the government to act.
We travel to Paraguay to find out more.
Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporter: Jane Chambers Series producer: Tom Colls Sound mix: Hal Haines Editor: Penny Murphy
Email: peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk Image: David Riveros
Many people associate bacteria with dirt and disease. But a lot of bacteria are good for us. And scientists around the world are using them to help us do all sorts of useful things like recycle, clean up waste and produce food. We find out how bacteria are salvaging metal from electronic waste. We taste the protein-rich food additive that is made from bacteria. Plus, we explore how bacteria are helping to reduce the impact of farming on the environment. Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporter: Rosie Blunt Series producer: Tom Colls Sound mix: Hal Haines Editor: Penny Murphy Thanks to Prof Sebastien Farnaud, Coventry University Email: peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk Image: Computer illustration of bacteria (Getty images)
La Casa de Carlota isn’t like most workplaces. The design studio, based in Barcelona, Spain, employs creatives who have intellectual disabilities, autism and schizophrenia.
Working together with non-disabled colleagues, they produce striking graphics for campaigns and packaging, as well as original works of art. This isn’t a government-backed scheme to help out a disadvantaged group, but a winning formula that is helping the studio forge a unique brand.
In this programme we look at two companies who have realised there is strength in neurodiversity and hear from Natalie Duo from the charity Mencap. The vast majority of people with learning disabilities are unemployed, so how can other businesses can follow suit?
Programme originally broadcast in April 2022.
Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporter: William Kremer Executive producer: Tom Colls Editor: Penny Murphy
Image: Casa de Carlota
Premature babies often need a lot of expensive specialised care - but that isn’t always available. So, doctors in Colombia are teaching mothers to look after their babies in a similar way that kangaroos look after their own young.
It’s called "kangaroo mother care" and instead of being in an incubator, babies are wrapped tightly against their mother’s skin. The technique was developed in Bogota in the late 1970s as a response to overcrowding in hospital maternity units. There weren't enough incubators and around 70% of premature babies didn’t survive.
Doctors started using this simple skin-to-skin method. They found it wasn't only saving babies lives but was helping them to thrive. Now kangaroo care has spread around the world.
Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporter: Zoe Gelber Series producer: Tom Colls Sound mix: Hal Haines Editor: Richard Vadon Email: peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk Image: A baby in the kangaroo position
Football in Germany had a big problem with violent, racist, far-right supporters. But a social innovation, organised and run by fans, has been credited with helping to change the dynamic in the stands.
“Fan projects” attract young fans with the promise of youth clubs and cheap transport to games. We go to a game with a fan project in Dresden to see how it works.
And from the US, we hear how one woman is on a mission to make ice hockey more accessible to black women.
Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporter: Jessica Bateman Producer: Ann Hepburn Series producer: Tom Colls Sound mix: Hal Haines Editor: Richard Vadon
Email: peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk Image: Ronald Beć
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