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Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Part of UK in Bolivia

5th January 2011

An exciting start to the New Year

I think it is true to say that Bolivia has been one of the more exciting places to be over Christmas and New Year – and I am not talking about the fireworks! One of the things I have noticed during my three and a half years here, is the tendency of Bolivians to focus very much on their own problems, without perhaps noticing that they share those problems – and, possibly, the solutions – with many others.

As I have said before, Bolivians need to look more often at other countries and recognise that they are not alone. Many other developing countries, for example, have had to end fuel subsidies, and have selected a variety of routes by which to do so. Indonesia is one example that springs to mind. There are others. It is a difficult policy to take, but often essential for long term economic well-being – and there are successful examples out there of how to go about it.

I am extremely grateful for all the comments and encouragement I have received from readers to this blog. It is especially interesting to hear from those who have looked again at past entries – proof if it is ever needed that, once on the net, your words are with you for ever! Most recently, thank you so much to Karina, Roberto, Freddy, Claudia, Paginas Webs, Jpflores and Kelly. Although I can’t reply to everyone, I do read and take account of your views.

So, are there any topics you would like me to tackle in the New Year? I would be pleased to try to respond to your suggestions.

About Nigel Baker

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as…

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as Deputy Head of Mission in the British Embassy in Havana, Cuba (2003-6) and then as British Ambassador in La Paz, Bolivia (2007-11). In July 2016, Nigel finished his posting, and is currently back in London.

As the first British Ambassador to the Holy See ever to have a blog, Nigel provided a regular window on what the Embassy and the Ambassador does. The blogs covered a wide range of issues, from Royal and Ministerial visits to Diplomacy and Faith, freedom of religion, human trafficking and climate change.

More on Nigel’s career

Nigel was based in London between 1998 and 2003. He spent two years on European Union issues (for the UK 1998 EU Presidency and on European Security and Defence questions), before crossing St James’s Park to work for three years as The Assistant Private Secretary to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. At St James’s Palace, Nigel worked on international issues, including the management of The Prince of Wales’s overseas visits and tours, on the Commonwealth, interfaith issues, the arts and international development.

Nigel spent much of the early part of his FCO career in Central Europe, after an initial stint as Desk Officer for the Maghreb countries in the Near East and North Africa department (1990-91). Between 1992 and 1996, Nigel served in the British embassies in Prague and Bratislava, the latter being created in 1993 after the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia into the separate Czech and Slovak Republics.

Nigel joined the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) in September 1989. Between 1996 and 1998 he took a two year academic sabbatical to research and write about themes in 18th century European history, being based in Verona but also researching in Cambridge, Paris and Naples. The research followed from Nigel’s time as a student at Cambridge (1985-88) where he read history and was awarded a First Class Honours degree, followed by his MA in 1992.

Before joining the Foreign Office, Nigel worked briefly for the Conservative Research Department in London at the time of the 1989 European election campaign.

Nigel married Alexandra (Sasha) in 1997. They have one son, Benjamin, born in Bolivia in September 2008.

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