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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
25th November 2024
The climate crisis and gender-based violence
8th November 2024
Ecolabels: A Catalyst for Sustainable Food Choices?
21st October 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Two Hundred Years in Search of a Cup of Tea: Diplomacy 1815-2015
Each week I take the UK seat at the OSCE Permanent Council in the Hofburg, imposing former Hapsburg imperial seat, where I recently read, the 1815 Congress of Vienna ‘danced the night away, 200 years ago, shaping post-Napoleonic Europe almost as an afterthought’. History records an impressive social whirl around the lengthy negotiations. 201 years […]
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21st October 2015
Magna Carta – a journey of 800 years
I was delighted to have been invited to participate in a seminar on the 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta at the British Consulate General in St Petersburg on 13-14 October. It was an honour to join the distinguished British Professor David Carpenter to discuss the history of Magna Carta and its impact on legal […]
20th October 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Expression should be free
Without freedom of expression and the rule of law, no democracy can flourish. Both are also closely linked to stability and prosperity, as I wrote in my recent blog on Ahmet Hakan. So I was delighted to attend a conference, “Expression should be free”, organised in Istanbul on 19 October by P24, a platform for independent journalists […]
19th October 2015 London, UK
Make your mark on global government digital communications – join our team
It’s not every day an opportunity comes along to grab one of the best digital communications jobs in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office – and here it is! We’re looking to recruit an enthusiastic and talented Senior Digital Campaigns Manager to manage and deliver some of the FCO’s priority digital campaigns. If you’re a digital […]
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19th October 2015 Geneva, Switzerland
Is the World’s Humanitarian System Broken?
Last week Geneva was overrun by humanitarian NGOs, activists, international organisations, think tankers and government delegations. The rather utilitarian Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG) – a cross between the Barbican Centre and the Hall of the Supreme Soviet – was filled with large crowds, colourful presentations, and displays of national music and dance. They were […]
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19th October 2015 Istanbul, Turkey
Yes, Moscow, there is a Syrian Moderate Opposition
‘Spin Doctor’ is a phrase that emerged in the English language. Judging by Russian information operations over its actions in Syria, it should have been Russian. Russia says it is hitting at Da’esh. But its actions speak louder than its words. It has in fact primarily targeted opposition fighters opposed to the Assad regime. 85% […]
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19th October 2015 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Gurkha 200th Commemoration In Brunei
2015 is a special year for the Gurkhas as it is the 200th Anniversary of Gurkha service to the British Crown. We wanted to mark this in Brunei too, given the significant Gurkha links that have existed here for more than 50 years. We were greatly honoured therefore that His Majesty The Sultan agreed to […]
16th October 2015 Science and Innovation Network
How science and innovation is helping to feed the planet
As the end of the World Expo in Milan approaches, Government and civil society leaders are gathering to mark UN World Food Day. Participating nations will show commitment to addressing the challenge of feeding the world’s growing population. It has been the central theme for this year’s Expo – and the UK’s message has been […]
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14th October 2015 Vancouver, Canada
Freud and the Fascination of LNG
“So what do you want to talk about?” My therapist looks at me over his half-moon glasses with a practiced benign smile, and strokes his greying beard.
Opposite him, on a couch large enough for my extended family, I tally the pros and cons of continuing. Why not? It’s my time after all. “LNG.”
14th October 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Rome: the global home of religious encounter
All the media focus here at the Vatican at the moment is on the cut and thrust of debate at the Synod of Bishops, meeting on the issue of the family. Amidst the coverage of differences between bishops, proposals on pastoral practice and doctrine, and the views of the Pope, one important dimension has been […]
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