John Kampfner in conversation with James Harding & David Miliband at the Royal Society of Arts

In conversation with editor-in-chief of The Observer, James Harding, and former foreign secretary David Miliband at the Royal Society Of Arts, John Kampfner explored how societies can respond to long-term challenges by looking beyond familiar assumptions.

Drawing on examples from countries including Japan, Taiwan, Finland, Canada and Austria, the discussion focused on practical ideas that have already been tested elsewhere—and what they might teach us about leadership, public policy and democratic renewal.

What stood out was the emphasis on curiosity over ideology. Rather than asking which political tradition has the answers, John argued for learning from what demonstrably works, wherever it is found.

For audiences, that's an increasingly valuable perspective. At a time when many conversations are dominated by short-term pressures, John's work offers a broader international lens on leadership, decision-making and institutional resilience—grounded in reporting, research and lived examples rather than abstract theory.

John's book A Braver New World is a timely addition to the debate, and a reminder that optimism is most credible when it is backed by evidence.