Lyse Doucet

Speaker and host Lyse Doucet – broadcaster and journalist, BBC correspondent, reporter of the Middle East.

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Lyse Doucet OBE is a highly respected broadcaster with a distinguished career as the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, renowned for her understanding of the Middle East region and its wider global impact. For more than three decades, Lyse has reported from conflict zones across the region, including Afghanistan, Syria, and in the Israeli-Palestinian territories. Her insight and coverage, grounded in extensive field experience, has made her one of the most trusted voices in international journalism today.

Lyse’s career is defined by a remarkable dedication to frontline reporting. In 2002, she was the only journalist invited to accompany Afghan President Hamid  WaliKarzai to his brother’s wedding, where an assassination attempt took place. Lyse’s exclusive coverage of this event earned her and her team a nomination for a Royal Television Society Award. Years later, in 2011, she conducted one of the final interviews with Ahmed Karzai before his assassination, a testament to her unique access and deep ties within the Afghan region. Her commitment to bearing witness in such situations underscores her profound understanding of the human complexities behind political events.

As a speaker, Lyse draws on these extraordinary experiences to provide nuanced insights into Middle Eastern geopolitics, examining how the region’s dynamics reverberate across the globe. Known for her disarming style and empathy, she addresses themes such as conflict resolution, risk management, and the power of human stories in shaping public understanding. Her acclaimed BBC documentaries and series—including Children of Syria, Children of the Gaza War, Her Story Made History, and her recent The Darkest Days: Israel-Gaza Six Months On—showcase her commitment to telling impactful stories that resonate far beyond the headlines. This latest work captures the devastating impact of ongoing conflict, with first-hand accounts from both Israel and Gaza, exploring the complex path towards a lasting peace.

Lyse’s contributions to journalism have been recognised with numerous honours, including an OBE and an appointment to the Order of Canada. As a board member of Inter Mediate, an NGO focused on conflict negotiation, and as a trustee of the Frontline Club, Lyse blends her expertise with a passion for fostering dialogue and understanding. On stage, she offers audiences not only sharp geopolitical analysis but a human perspective that conveys resilience, courage, and hope in the face of global adversity.

Lyse Doucet is aserbly informed host/facilitator and as well as being a compelling keynote speaker.