In a complex and polarised world, young people need the skills to think for themselves
We help teachers bring current affairs discussions into the classroom to build critical-thinking, curiosity and confidence.
We’re an independent charity that combines deep educational knowledge with the journalistic expertise of The Economist newspaper.
How we do it
We give teachers everything they need to lead informed, open-minded and inspiring discussions about the news through our unique programme, Topical Talk.
Each week, our Headline lessons explore the most relevant issues – from global politics and climate to technology, culture and media literacy – helping teachers respond quickly to the world as it unfolds.
Explore lessonsCurrent affairs education should be mandatory in schools – read our policy position
86+
countries around the world taught Topical Talk in 2024-25
532,000
estimated children participated in Topical Talk in 2024-25.
Our impact
Children who take part in Topical Talk lessons build creativity, problem-solving, open-minded listening and confident speaking – skills proven to support higher wages, wellbeing and civic engagement.
They learn to apply these skills to the real issues that shape their lives and communities, which prepares them to thrive in future work and society.
See our impact“Engaging students in meaningful dialogue can be a struggle. Topical Talk ensures students consistently engage in rich dialogue about relevant real-world topics.”
TEACHER, UNITED STATES
