Christina Lamb, OBE – from Oxford to the Front Lines

At a recent 'Navigating our World' event in London, we had the honour of hosting Christina Lamb OBE , an esteemed author and Chief Foreign Correspondent for the Sunday Times . At just 22, Lamb won the Young Journalist of the Year Award for her work in Afghanistan and has since amassed a collection of honours, including multiple Foreign Correspondent of the Year titles and the Prix Bayeux. Honoured with an OBE in 2013 and praised by figures like Queen Camilla, her influence on war reporting, especially regarding women's experiences, is substantial. The talk, led by my colleague Andrew Blair , delved into her influential career and activism in journalism.

In this reflection, I aim to distil Christina's extensive journey in journalism. Her path from Oxford to Afghanistan is a testament to her extraordinary life's work. Christina shared that she originally intended to write a novel but found telling real-life stories more intriguing.

Christina recounted how, as an intern at the Financial Times, she ended up at a lunch where she was seated next to the Secretary General of the Pakistan People’s Party. She had been invited to replace the Foreign Editor who could no longer attend, and this twist of fate opened the door to an interview with Benazir Bhutto and subsequently an invitation to her wedding. This was a pivotal event that offered Christina unparalleled insights into politics and a view into a world rarely seen by journalists.

Post-wedding, Christina's career shifted towards war correspondence, utilizing her unique political insights and relationships. Her reporting from conflict zones, particularly on the impact of war on women, has been marked by a raw and empathetic approach, acknowledging the difficulty in maintaining complete objectivity and the importance of personal perspective in storytelling. Her work has not only highlighted the frontlines but also the personal stories of those affected by war, often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

Christina's collaboration with Malala Yousafzai on the autobiography "I Am Malala" marked a significant chapter in her career, elevating the young activist's fight for education rights globally. It began with a chance suggestion to interview Malala, followed by an unexpected email from a literary agent asking if she'd consider writing Malala's book.

"When I sat and started talking to her, I just was so impressed. I've never met anyone like her," Christina said, reflecting on her initial meeting with Malala. The conversations that followed were filled with Malala's aspirations, fears, and undimmed passion for her cause, leaving an indelible impression on Christina. The process of writing the book became a shared mission, as Christina mixed Malala's personal anecdotes with the larger narrative of her global advocacy, creating a story that depicted not just a survivor, but a powerful agent of change.

Despite the often-grim settings of her work, Christina’s optimism and humour were surprising and refreshing. She explained this by highlighting the resilience of the people she met in conflict zones. "In all these bad places, I meet people doing amazing things" she said, providing a counternarrative to the despair often associated with war-torn regions. Her ability to find humour in the darkest places was underlined by her choice of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life?as her favourite song in her interview with Kirsty Young on Desert Island Discs – revealing much about her approach to life and work.

Christina's assessment of the current geopolitical landscape was sobering. She spoke of an increase in conflicts and a decline in freedoms with a frankness that resonated with many in the room.?“I never expected to report on a war in Europe, in my lifetime and we now have?more conflicts than at any time since the Second World War," she pointed out, underscoring the urgency of the situation and the need for continued, vigilant reporting.

In an age where news is constant and journalists are expected to be perpetually connected, Christina spoke about the advantages of writing for a weekly publication. This pace allows her the necessary time and space to reflect and ensure a comprehensive understanding before writing. She highlighted that the speed at which news spreads digitally often leads to dangerous misinformation, underscoring the need for meticulous reporting. "Switching off is a challenge," Christina admitted, contemplating the tension between the relentless demands of her profession and the crucial need for personal equilibrium.

Her passion for storytelling was evident as she discussed the underreported experiences of women in conflict zones. "The women who endure these atrocities and have the courage to speak up deserve to be heard," she stated, advocating for those whose experiences are too often relegated to the footnotes of history.

Christina's work extends beyond individual stories to her many books that document the experiences of those affected by war. Among them she talked about The Girl from Aleppo: Nujeen's Escape from War to Freedom, co-authored with Nujeen Mustafa. The book is a powerful account of a young Syrian girl with cerebral palsy who embarks on a treacherous journey to Europe. Christina captures the essence of Nujeen's spirit, her story serving as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the human cost of the Syrian conflict.

In her deeply personal account, Our Bodies, Their Battlefield: What War Does to Women, Christina lays bare the harrowing reality of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Writing this book was a profound and taxing journey for her; she admits that the intensity of the stories required her to take the work in strides, often only able to process and write a few pages at a time. This book is not only a historical chronicle but also a fervent plea for change, illuminating the unspeakable crimes against women and the astonishing fortitude they summon amidst such terror.

Her most recent work, The Prince Rupert Hotel for the Homeless has recently been optioned by award-winning film director, Stephen Daldry, for a movie! The story marks a thematic shift as Christina turns her gaze homeward, examining the UK's response to homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. This narrative stands as a testament to her versatility as a storyteller and her empathy for those affected by crises, whether they be global or local.

As Christina concluded her talk, it was clear that her life's work has been dedicated to telling the stories that might otherwise go untold. Her narratives are not just records of events; they are powerful testimonies of the human spirit's endurance in the face of adversity. Through her words and her books, Christina continues to be a leading voice in foreign correspondence, unafraid to confront the harsh realities of war and committed to shedding light on the untold stories that shape our understanding of conflict and its impact on humanity.

Clearly, the corporate world?is a million miles from the experiences that Christina has had throughout her career and the lives of the people she has met. Her unyielding curiosity and relentless pursuit of the facts underscore the importance of being inquisitive and seeking truth, even in the most challenging circumstances. While listening to her speak, I found myself deeply humbled. Her stories not only reminded me to manage the stresses of my day-to-day life but also to maintain a sense of perspective;?the necessity of recognising our own fortunes amidst the vast spectrum of human experience, reminds?me?of how lucky many of us are compared to the stark realities others face.

Thank you, Christina, for your truly inspirational words.

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