Oscar Guardiola-Rivera is a writer and professor of human rights and political philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London. After leading the student movement that initiated a wave of constitutional reform throughout Latin America in the late 1990’s, he continued his studies in the United Kingdom where he obtained an LLM with Distinction at University College London, and a PhD in Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen. He is the writer of the award-winning What If Latin America Ruled the World? which was listed as one the best non-fiction books of 2010 by The Financial Times. Dr Guardiola-Rivera is also the co-editor of the contemporary art and theory journal Naked Punch: An Engaged Review of Arts & Theory, and has engaged with an extensive range of publications and broadcasters, including Granta, El Espectador, the BBC World Service Nightwaves, and Al-Jazeera to name but a few. He is currently the Deputy Postgraduate Director of the Department of Law at Birkbeck, University of London and is recognized as one of the most representative voices of contemporary Latin American philosophy and literature.

Events participated in: 

The Arrival in Tradition: Recovery, Rhythm and the Popul Vuh: Join Oscar Guardiola-Rivera and Azad Ashim Sharma for an hour of poetry and discussion with sonic accompaniment from Mun Sing. Celebrating the launch of Sharma’s Boiled Owls and Guardiola-Rivera’s Under The World, themes of addiction, recovery, arrival in tradition, indigenous thinking, and writing in a time of crisis emerge against a backdrop of Mun Sing’s soundscapes that embrace dark anguish in search of groove, rhythm, and hope. (2024)

‘A Citizen From Nowhere’: Join BBC correspondent Kirsty Lang as she talks to Aminatta Forna OBE on being cosmopolitan as they explore the question of whether we choose or are made to become global souls in an era of mass migration, nationalism and as a response to growing populism across the world. (2024)

Finding Justice: Oscar Guardiola-Rivera talks to the head of the Colombian Special Jurisdiction for Peace, Judge Roberto Carlos Vidal López, and with Nedžad Avdić on how he escaped from a death pit during the Srebrenica genocide to give crucial evidence before the International Criminal Court. In partnership with Beyond ​​Srebrenica. (2024)

The Uncommon Wealth: Join William Dalrymple and Dr Kojo Koram as they deep dive into the history of colonialism and the future of the Commonwealth with Oscar Guardiola-Rivera. (2023)

Who Gets Believed?: Explore identity and belonging with Dina Nayeri in an enlightening discussion with Oscar Guardiola-Rivera about the complexities of migration and identity. (2023)

Is There Such a Thing as American Exceptionalism?: Join Jim Naughtie as he explores America’s historical legacy in the making of the modern world. With Tim Phillips, Aminatta Forna, and Oscar Guardiola-Rivera, as Razia Iqbal and Sir Kieran Prendergast join from abroad. (2021)

The Long Knives: Enjoy Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh as he talks to Oscar Guardiola-Rivera about his life and new novel The Long Knives. (2022)

The Rise of the Festival: Listen to Hay, Edinburgh, and Jaipur Festival Chairs Caroline Michel,Allan Little, and William Dalrymple, as they discuss the rise of the festival and power of the spoken word with Oscar Guardiola-Rivera and Colin Grant. (2022)

10 Years That Shook the World: Join us as we look back at the events that have helped shape the last decade and the next, with Oscar Guardiola-Rivera and guests including Razia Iqbal, Staffan de Mistura, and Erik Berglof. Followed bya drinks reception celebrating the 10th anniversaryof the Beyond Borders International Festival. (2019)

Democracy in the Digital Age: New York Times journalist Amanda Taub, social impact entrepreneur Paul van Zyl, and Beyond Conflict CEO Tim Phillips talk to Oscar Guardiola-Rivera about democracy, the impact of technology, and the prevalence of social media as a polarizing force, as well as adiscussion about The New York Times’ Privacy Project. (2019)

The Most Unforgettable Women in History: Join actress and scholar Lisa Dwan and philosopher Dr Oscar Guardiola-Rivera for a fresh look at the most memorable women of Ancient Greek literature from Medea to Antigone. Can their story be re-told for the time of MeToo and the fourth wave of feminism. (2019)

Twenty Years On – A Good Friday Agreement: Oscar Guardiola-Rivera talks toMonica McWilliams and Tim Phillips as they reveal how peace was built in Northern Ireland and consider the impact of Brexit. (2018)

Black History Matters: Join Oscar Guardiola-Rivera as he explores race relations in America with author Aminatta Forna, Beyond Conflict’s Tim Phillips, and playwright Bonnie Greer. (2017)

Healing the Past: Michael Mansfield QC, Tim Phillips, Oscar Guardiola-Rivera and Lucy Ash discuss how communities come to terms with loss. (2016)

Paths to Peace: Beyond Conflict’s Tim Philips reveals how he convinced the Pope to support a crucial back channel between the US and Cuba, and Oscar Guardiola-Rivera gives a perspective on the Colombian peace process. With John Kampfner. (2016)

“Do Not Let Scotland Down”: Alyn Smith MEP talks to Oscar Guardiola-Rivera about that European Parliament speech. (2016)

This Will Make You Hopeful: Dr Oscar Guardiola-Rivera will give you five reasons to remain hopeful in hopeless times. (2015)

What is Europe?: Join Sarah Smith in conversation with Alyn Smith MEP, EIP Director Martin Griffiths, Erik Berglöf and Dr Oscar Guardiola-Rivera as they try to answer the question “What is Europe?” (2015)

The Rule of Law: What is Means and How to Spread It: Meet Sir Jeffrey Jowell QC of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, the UN’s Andrew Gilmour, and David Marshall, editor of an explosive new book on the rule of law movement, as they discuss what the rule of law means for today’s international policymakers. (2014)

Oscar Guadiola-Rivera: Story of a Death Foretold: Meet Oscar Guardiola-Rivera as he recounts the circumstances that led to the fall of President Salvador Allende’s regime in Chile. (2014)

Are We Eating Ourselves into Oblivion?: Oscar Guardiola-Rivera talks to Feeding Frenzy author Paul McMahon, restaurant owner Iqbal Wahhab, and Delfina Foundation director, Aaron Cezar, about the politics of food in the 21st century. (2014)

Can We Ever Trust the State: As more disclosures emerge about the extent of official surveillance in Western society, John Kampfner asks whether we can ever trustthe State to protect our liberties. Author of forthcoming book,‘Story of a Death Foretold’ which charts the 1973 Chilean Coup,Ben Emmerson QC author of the UN report on drone strikesand US Ambassador Cynthia P. Schneider. (2013)

The Art of Protest: Meet William Sutcliffe as he talks about his new novel “The Wall” and later joins Palestinian Singer Reem Kelani, Turkish commentator,Mesut Onen, Turkish poet, Bejan Matur, Saudi Arabian artist Manal al-Dowayan and Egyptian film director Akmal Saleh as they go on to discuss the rise of public and cultural protest across the world. Colombian author Oscar Guardiola-Rivera asks the questions. (2013)

Balancing Security and Human Rights in Times of Transition: Join International Criminal Tribunal judge Ben Emmerson QC, former head of UNDPA, Sir Kieran Prendergast, Roelf Meyer and Lindsey Hilsum as they discuss with Dr. Oscar Guardiola Rivera how to achieve stability in Syria and whether military intervention, the use of targeted drone strikes and the use of other more controversial war on terror methods leads to a more stable world. (2012)

Small Acts of Resistance: Join Steve Crawshaw, Pamela Hogan, Richard Demarco and Paul Van Zyl, as they discuss with resident Colombian philosopher Dr. Oscar Guardiola Rivera how the arts are being used to highlight resistance and promote change around the world. (2012)

Dividing Small Nations: Comedian, writer and broadcaster Mark Thomas talks to Oscar Guardiola-Rivera about his recent walk along Israel’s Separation Barrier. (2011)

The Arab Spring & the Power of Democracy: Oscar Guardiola-Rivera talks about the power of democracy with Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish, Rashed Rahman, Sir Kieran Prendergast, Ramy Essam and Marie Colvin. (2011)

Why Latin America Should Run the World: Join witty Columbian philosopher Oscar Guardiola-Rivera, with Geoffrey Baskerville to see why Latin America should rule the world! (2010)