General Sir Gordon Messenger, Trustee of the King’s Foundation and former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, joins the programme from Geneva to discuss the intersection of military leadership, sustainable development, and royal vision.

Established by King Charles III in 1990, the King’s Foundation is distinct from the King’s Trust, focusing not just on youth but on the philosophy of "harmony"—working with the grain of nature rather than imposing upon it. General Messenger explains how this philosophy translates into practical action, from heritage craft training to urban regeneration.

Key discussion points include:

• The Philosophy of Harmony: King Charles III’s vision of integrating human activity with the natural world.

• Redefining Sustainability: Why true sustainability goes beyond carbon targets to include heritage, craftsmanship, and community "placemaking."

• The Economics of Quality: The argument against short-termism and why quality construction (like Poundbury) is more economically viable than "cheap and cheerful."

• Leadership Lessons: Insights from a distinguished military career on authenticity, building teams around a common purpose, and maintaining judgment during crises.

• The Next Generation: Why General Messenger remains optimistic about the values and environmental commitment of today’s youth.

• Impressions of the King: A personal look at King Charles III’s authenticity, lack of airs, and deep commitment to his causes.

• Global Impact: How the Foundation’s model at Dumfries House is inspiring projects internationally, including in Australia.

This episode offers a fascinating look at how traditional values and skills are being revitalized to address modern challenges, guided by experienced leadership.

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds reaching nearly 300 km/h, recently devastated Jamaica, leaving over 600,000 people displaced and wiping out nearly 30% of the country’s GDP. In this episode of The McKay Interview, Jamaican Ambassador Dr. Richard Brown outlines the full scale of the destruction and the urgent need for stronger global support — particularly from international organisations and the United Nations system.

Michael McKay and Dr. Brown explore:

• The unprecedented scale of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction across Jamaica’s western parishes

• The economic toll: $6–7 billion in damages and over 120,000 structures affected

• What worked — and didn’t — in Jamaica’s disaster preparedness and response

• How catastrophe bonds and parametric insurance are helping fund emergency relief

• Why small island developing states like Jamaica need tailored climate finance and legal recognition

• The role of Geneva-based organisations and how donors can support Jamaica’s recovery

This conversation also delves into larger questions:

• Is the international system, including the United Nations, still fit for purpose?

• Can small countries weather climate shocks without systemic global reform?

• And what does Jamaica’s resilience — “Wi likkle but wi tallawah” — look like in 2025?

Listen now to better understand the link between diplomacy, climate justice, and international solidarity.

Michael Møller, former United Nations Under Secretary-General and Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, returns to The McKay Interview for a hard-hitting, wide-ranging discussion. With over four decades of service across five continents, Møller offers deep insight into the challenges facing multilateralism — and the urgent reforms the United Nations must now confront.

We discuss:

• The fragmentation of geopolitics and the fading taboo against the use of force

• How technology is reshaping international diplomacy — and exposing systemic weaknesses

• UN reform: why “UN 2.0” proposals may be too little, too late

• Why budget cuts are not just administrative — they’re existential

• The growing disconnect between the political UN and the operational UN

• Cities, regions, and businesses: the new multilateral actors stepping up

• The US and China: the funding gap that’s quietly paralyzing international cooperation

• The future of International Geneva – and whether it's being eclipsed by other global hubs

• What kind of leadership the UN — and the world — really needs

• Reflections on Gaza, Trump, peacekeeping, and the limits of diplomacy

Møller is frank, thoughtful, and unflinching. This is a timely episode for anyone concerned with the future of the international system and the role of the UN in a deeply divided world.