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The Forum, the BBC World Service programme which boldly crosses boundaries: scientific, creative and geographic, presented by Bridget Kendall.

Meet The Guests

Argentine classical composer Osvaldo Golijov on shifting music making from solo performance to collective sound, as reflected in his recent cello concerto, Azul.

Moscow-born novelist and broadcaster Zinovy Zinik looks at how shadows have been used as metaphors for exile in the work of émigré writers.

Professor of acoustic engineering Trevor Cox tells us why designing better soundscapes could enhance everybody's life.

Listen to the 60 Second Idea To Change The World

Each week one guest presents an idea to change the world. This week it's the turn of professor of acoustic engineering Trevor Cox.

COMMENTS ON THE PROGRAMME
I listen to The Forum on an iPod as I walk to and from work. When Trevor Cox presented his sixty second idea, namely to turn off electronic devices and be silent, I did just that, halfway through the program. I was rewarded, almost instantly, by the sound - which I would not have heard with the earphones in place - of a pileated woodpecker up in a dead tree, hammering for insects. It drilled and then probed the hole it had made, its bright red plume brilliant in the sun.
Michael, Vancouver

I just wanted to say I agree that silence is so important. I also wake sometimes between 4 and 5am, it is the best time of the day! As for mobiles, I don't use them, I also don't have voice mail or an answering machine. I survive very well with tv, telephone and e-mail. The only sound I hear in the morning is the world service on my transistor radio, softly of course.
Beverley, Amsterdam.

Listen to more 60 second ideas