30th July 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
This morning it was pouring with rain when I first looked out of the window. So I was pleased that it had cleared a couple of hours later when my Brazilian colleague Isabel and I stood on a hillside overlooking Addis Ababa in our wellington boots. Actually, it was perfect conditions for tree-planting, and we […]
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23rd July 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
I would like to say congratulation to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. In Addis Ababa, we are in the middle of the rainy season – it is now pouring with rain, cold and gloomy. So it is wonderful to have some good news to brighten up our lives. There are many here in Ethiopia […]
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22nd July 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
My Embassy hosted a panel discussion under the theme ‘G8: Tax, Trade, Transparency – What does it mean for Africa?’ last week. The Department for International Development’s Chief Economist Stefan Dercon was among the panellists and shared his views on the so-called “3T’s”, which have proved relevant not only to G8 countries but worldwide. Prominent […]
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11th July 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
According to the latest statistics, the world population has passed the 7 billion mark. This fast accelerating number raises a number of important issues – and the United Nations has selected an interesting theme for this year from the potential list. The organisation wants to address the issue of adolescent pregnancy, which directly feeds the […]
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20th June 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
It is hard to comprehend the life of refugees who have been displaced from their homes. Some separated from their loved ones. Unable to earn a living to support their families. Their children forced out of school and living in compounds not knowing when things will go back to normal. (If they ever do – […]
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14th June 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The British Presidency G8 summit will take place next week at Lough Erne in Northern Ireland. I blogged at the beginning of this year about UK’s G8 Presidency, which revolves around three interconnected priorities: Tax, Trade and Transparency. We believe that addressing these issues is vital for sustainable economic growth worldwide. On Monday, The Lough […]
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7th June 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Last week UK company G4S (possibly the biggest employer in Africa) gathered seven young athletes from around the world (Bangladesh, Botswana, India, Kenya, Peru, South Africa and The Philippines) at the British Residence in Addis Ababa. They were part of the “G4S 4teen” programme, which has supported 14 extremely talented young athletes towards their sporting […]
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17th May 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
This has been a fortnight of focus on Africa in London. It started with the Somalia Conference on 7 May in Lancaster House, following up the Somalia Conference of a year ago. The difference was that this time the Government of Somalia co-chaired the event and the agenda concentrated on its priorities. Feedback from those […]
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9th May 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Last month Ethiopians cast their ballots in the 2013 local elections. They were peaceful and according to the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) more than 90% of the 31 million registered voters took part on polling days, 14 and 21 April. Local elections here are for electing members of local government at zonal, sub-city, […]
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3rd May 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Today we mark World Press Freedom Day. Twenty years ago, 3 May was declared a day to celebrate Press Freedom. Since then, the day has done much to raise awareness about the value of press freedom and freedom of speech. The theme this year is ‘Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in all Media.’ […]
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