About us
We are an independent charity that combines deep education expertise with The Economist’s journalistic rigour.
We empower children with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate complex social and environmental challenges, misinformation and polarisation.
By supporting passionate teachers, we enable children to take part in inspiring discussions about the news, which help them think critically, communicate effectively and understand the world.
Meet the team
Content you can trust
Our work is underpinned by rigorous editorial and educational standards. All of our content is developed by experienced teachers and produced with guidance from senior journalists at The Economist. This ensures that what we publish is accurate, carefully framed and rooted in evidence.
We are guided by four core principles:
Pedagogy
Our resources are created by trained educators with extensive experience working with young people aged 10 to 16. Lessons are designed to be inclusive, accessible and focused on transferable skills.
Integrity
Economist journalists support topic selection and framing to ensure issues are presented fairly, with context and a range of perspectives.
Objectivity
We do not take positions on the issues we explore. Instead, we create space for students to form their own views. External experts and consultants help us challenge bias and maintain balance.
Editorial standards and fact-checking
Our content goes through a multi-stage editorial process, with review by senior editors at The Economist. Facts and sources are verified to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Our vision
We are scaling globally and deepening our impact through creative partnerships and collaborative projects. If you share our belief that every child should have the skills to make sense of the world, help us to make it happen.
Support our workOur journey so far...
2012
Born from within The Economist Group as an independent charity.
The Foundation began with an idea from Emily Evans, former CEO, discussed with John Micklethwait, then Editor-in-Chief of The Economist and Daniel Franklin, former Chair of Trustees. From the outset, the aim was to bring the values of rigorous journalism into classrooms.
2015
300 students reached
To create more consistent and in-depth knowledge about the current affairs, we launch the Burnet News Club – a news club that encourages weekly discussions about the news in schools. The club is named after former editor of The Economist, Alastair Burnet, and pilots in six UK schools.
2019
2,000 students reached
We launch The Global Conversation, an international Burnet News Club topic that connects students across multiple countries.
2020
In response to Covid-19 and global school closures, we begin publishing free weekly news lessons for teachers and parents worldwide.
2021
98,000 students reached
The Burnet News Club rebrands as Topical Talk – a free resource library of teaching lessons with a new Headline released every week, accessible to any teacher or parent around the world.
2022
125,000 students reached
We launch the Topical Talk Festival to fulfil our vision of students around the world sharing their perspectives on the most important issues of their time.
2025
500,00 students reached
Student reach doubles compared with 2024. Robert Guest is appointed Chair of Trustees, replacing Daniel Franklin.
Accolades
Associations
