One of the BBC’s most widely respected journalists, Lyse has covered some of the most tumultuous events around the world, from the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan to the Arab Spring uprisings and the war in Ukraine. Despite the conflict and terror, she’s an unshakeable optimist, seeing the humanity and unity of people in the toughest of circumstances. She analyses the political and social uncertainty the world faces, and considers the nature of risk. She also reveals the lighter side to reporting from some of the world’s most dangerous places.... Read more
Lyse Doucet, Journalist, BBC World News | November 10, 2011
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Lyse Doucet is the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, covering events world-wide, but particularly those in and affecting the Middle East and Asia. She is also a senior presenter, anchoring programmes from the field and the studio for Radio 4, BBC World and the World Service.
After studying international relations in her native Canada, Lyse travelled to Africa with an NGO. Her first role with the BBC was to report from west Africa before being posted to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, the latter to cover the Soviet withdrawal from the country. She was then stationed in Jordan, where she set up the BBC’s Amman office, and Jerusalem; from thereon in she specialised in the Middle East. Lyse has covered every major conflict in the region since the mid-1990s including the Arab Spring and the civil war in Syria. She has also returned to Asia, covering major political events and natural disasters.
One of broadcasting’s most informed and respected commentators, Lyse has an in-depth knowledge of the politics, commerce and culture of the whole Middle East. She also offers an insight into the wider geopolitical climate as well as the disruptive and unpredictable elements in the world. An natural communicator of complex and emotive issues, Lyse combines humanity and analysis, exploring big political and historical events whilst maintaining a focus on the people and communities at the sharp end of conflict.
Lyse looks at what all the uncertainty might mean, and relates the risk organisations face with the sort of risks she takes to cover a story. A board member of Inter Mediate, an NGO dedicated to dialogue and negotiation amongst some of the world’s most intractable conflicts, Lyse also considers how opposing sides can find common ground. With honesty, energy, and even humour, she focuses on the human stories behind the headlines. She explains how people demonstrate reasons for hope, displaying warmth and resilience in the toughest of circumstances. She also recounts taking selfies with Iraqi tribal sheikhs (as ISIS approach just a few miles away) and why, despite her work, she’s an unshakeable optimist. An accomplished host and moderator, she brings her journalistic skills to the conference stage, keen to get to the heart of the matter whilst ensuring those attending leave with new knowledge and understanding.
As well as covering stories and events on the ground Lyse has produced documentaries on Syria, Gaza and Afghanistan, the latter a major focus of her more recent reporting, and fronted the Radio 4 series Her Story Made History, in which she interviews some of the most influential but overlooked women in modern politics, journalism and campaigning. She is the author of The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A People’s History of Afghanistan, the tale of a luxury hotel built as a part of attempts to reinvent Afghanistan and through whose staff and guests the story of the country is told. She has received many international awards for her journalism and reporting, including Emmy, Peabody, and Sony Gold awards, as well as being appointed a member of the Order of Canada and an OBE, and has served as a Council Member of the Chatham House foreign affairs institution.
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OBE Lyse Doucet's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for OBE Lyse tailored to your event.
OBE Lyse Doucet speaks on Facilitators & Moderators, Geopolitics, Global Trends, Middle East. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with OBE Lyse to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book OBE Lyse Doucet for events worldwide, subject to OBE Lyse's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether OBE Lyse Doucet is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what OBE Lyse can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief OBE Lyse Doucet on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what OBE Lyse can offer.
OBE Lyse Doucet delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
OBE Lyse Doucet's areas of expertise include Facilitators & Moderators, Geopolitics, Global Trends, Middle East. To get a clear sense of OBE Lyse's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
OBE Lyse Doucet can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Facilitators & Moderators, Geopolitics, Global Trends, Middle East is relevant. Details of OBE Lyse's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what OBE Lyse Doucet is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with OBE Lyse Doucet, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check OBE Lyse's current availability for your dates.