Kofi Annan has played a major role in international politics for almost half a century, and has become one of the world’s best-known diplomats. Working at the heart of the United Nations, including ten years as Secretary-General, he has had a unique behind-the-scenes insight into the world events of the past 50 years.

Renowned writer and broadcaster William Shawcross lead the discussion of Annan’s new book, Interventions: A Life in War and Peace, and a career devoted to international politics.

Kofi A. Annan was the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, serving two terms from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006 and was the first to emerge from the ranks of United Nations staff. In 2001 Kofi Annan and the United Nations were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace with the citation praising his leadership for "bringing new life to the organisation".

William Shawcross is a widely renowned writer and broadcaster, who's works have appeared in the Sunday Times, Time, Newsweek and the International Herald Tribune. He is the author of numerous acclaimed books including Deliver Us From Evil: Warlords and Peacekeepers in a World of Endless Conflict, Allies: The US, Britain, Europe and the War in Iraq and most recently Justice and the Enemy: From the Nuremberg Trials to Khaled Sheikh Mohammed.