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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
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13th June 2016
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Some ‘Do’s’ and ‘Don’ts’ of Diplomatic Etiquette
Tidying out an Embassy cupboard recently, a colleague found a booklet that I first read when I joined the Diplomatic Service in 1986. Even then the 1965 Guidance to Diplomatic Service Officers and Wives posted to Diplomatic Missions Overseas seemed quaint and outdated. Looking at it now some of the advice seems better suited to […]
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10th June 2016
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
#Adiosistanbul 6: the Bosphorus
The Bosphorus stands out amongst #reasonstolikeistanbul. It’s central; spectacular; and every Istanbullu craves a “Boğaz manzarası” (Bosphorus view). This matters for the Turkish economy. Not only tourists are attracted by great views. Quality of life is a key to attracting the mobile economic talent and inward investment which is vital for any economy. How can I […]
10th June 2016 Paris, France
Kick start your trip to Euro 2016
It feels like a long time since the groups were announced in the draw last December as we eagerly await the weekend’s opening games, looking in on the teams final training sessions with anticipation. Whether you’re watching from the comfort of your own home, your local pub, or soaking up the atmosphere across the channel, […]
10th June 2016 Canberra, Australia
Modern diplomacy: Working the Network
When I joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), a former Ambassador gave me a piece of advice that I remember to this day. He said that a diplomat is only as good as their network. It stuck with me, because he was right. To be an effective diplomat, you need great networks. No […]
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9th June 2016 London, UK
Promoting Human Rights
As the Foreign Office’s Social Media Manager I spend much of my time distilling the intentionally nuanced and traditionally multilayered world of diplomacy into something engaging and consumable. Case in point: The Foreign Office’s (FCO) annual flagship Human Rights and Democracy Report comprises around 50 pages of expert analysis of the issues the world and […]
9th June 2016 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Ramadan: An opportunity for peace
This week saw the start of the holy month of Ramadan. A time for reflection, for spending time with family and friends and for peace. However, this year many Yemenis will be spending Ramadan without adequate food, water, shelter, electricity and healthcare and fearing for the safety of their loved ones. This month, like the […]
8th June 2016
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Celebrating The Queen at the Holy See
Like other embassies and high commissions around the world, the British Embassy to the Holy See took the opportunity this week to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday. In traditional British fashion, our garden party was accompanied by a downpour of rain, but it didn’t appear to dampen the spirits of the many guests […]
8th June 2016 Minsk, Belarus
Celebrating children
I wanted to talk to you today about a great event that we had yesterday which was Queen Birthday Party for children. It’s an idea that I had in March when I was finishing my Russian lesson. And at the school where I learned Russian at the weekend they mostly teach English to children here, […]
7th June 2016
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Barbara Knowles MBE
I attended a moving event on 31 May at the top of the hill in the eastern Carpathians named Pogany-Havas, the Pagan Snow Cap. Friends and villagers had walked up from the pass below to commemorate the life of British environmentalist Barbara Knowles, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Barbara was one of the […]
7th June 2016 Chennai, India
But I love it……
I know it’s been too long since a wrote a blog. It’s hard to think of subjects any readers might be interested in (as always, feedback welcome!) and to prioritise the time. But I’m very conscious that I’m halfway through my posting (sorry, you’re stuck with me to Summer 2018), which is a real driver […]