17th July 2025
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
15th July 2025
International Day of Women in Diplomacy: UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls visit to Geneva
1st May 2025
The UN Commission on the Status of Women: My first visit as UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls
5th May 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Remembrance
It is rather poignant that the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day – 8 May 1945, the day that World War II in Europe officially ended – falls the day after the British General Election. It reminds us of the fundamental reason why Britain went to war in 1939, reluctantly but determinedly; to […]
30th April 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Local History – Краеведение
Local history – Soviet heritage… I recently visited some places in Belarus for the first time. The most striking was the tower of Kamianets, one of several strongholds built by the rulers of the Volhynia principality in the 13th century to protect their northern border. It is one of the few medieval remains in Belarus. […]
29th April 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
RAISING THE FAMILY ISLANDS’ PROFILE
There can be few more enjoyable occupations on a Saturday morning than strolling along Grand Turk’s Front Street, past some of the exquisite old buildings like the wonderfully named “Ebenezer” 7th Day Adventist Church and the 19th century home which now houses the national museum. These great reminders of Grand Turk’s history are all set […]
28th April 2015 London, UK
Guest blog by Shahida Khan, Business and Human Rights Policy Officer, on business efficient flexible working
The FCO is a strong supporter of business efficient flexible working, and extends this right to all its employees. Flexible working takes many forms – compressed hours, flexible hours, job shares and remote working are a few of the more common examples. The Human Rights and Democracy Department (HRDD) is widely recognised as one part of […]
Read more on Guest blog by Shahida Khan, Business and Human Rights Policy Officer, on business efficient flexible working | Reply
28th April 2015 Colombo, Sri Lanka
100 years since Gallipoli: Ceylon’s role remembered
On Saturday 25 April, I laid a wreath at the Borella Kanatta Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Colombo, at one of the two events organised that day by the Australian High Commission to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Allied landings at Gallipoli during the First World War. It was an opportunity to reflect again […]
Read more on 100 years since Gallipoli: Ceylon’s role remembered | Reply (9)
27th April 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Video-blog of Carolyn Browne
The next video-blog of Carolyn Browne, British Ambassador to Kazakhstan is about UK sports.
27th April 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Видео-блог Посла Великобритании в Казахстане Др. Кэролин Браун
The next video-blog of Carolyn Browne, British Ambassador to Kazakhstan talking about different meanings of ‘Cheers’! Вашему вниманию очередной видео-блог Кэролин Браун, Посла Великобритании в Казахстане. В этом видео Др. Кэролин Браун рассказывает о различных значениях слова ‘Cheers’! Приятного просмотра!
Read more on Видео-блог Посла Великобритании в Казахстане Др. Кэролин Браун | Reply
22nd April 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Global Law Summit: Respect for the Rule of Law 800 years after Magna Carta
I am delighted to have the following guest blog from our distinguished Attorney General, Ms Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles OBE, (pictured right with the Lord Chancellor and fellow AGs from Montserrat and the Cayman Islands), the first citizen of TCI and the first woman to hold the position – Peter Beckingham, Governor, TCI. Global Law Summit: Respect for […]
Read more on Global Law Summit: Respect for the Rule of Law 800 years after Magna Carta | Reply
22nd April 2015 Canberra, Australia
Anzac Day: The Diggers and Tommies of WW1
This week, I’m gearing up for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. It’s my first Anzac Day here and I want to be ready; so I’ve visited the incredible Australian War Memorial here in Canberra (before the crowds arrive this weekend) and watched some moving documentaries on the History Channel. And […]
Read more on Anzac Day: The Diggers and Tommies of WW1 | Reply (2)
21st April 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Britain and the Vatican Art Collection
The Holy See’s decision to take part in the Venice Biennale, after its inaugural participation in 2013, reminds us of the extraordinary role played by the Popes in the history and production of art. For much of its history, the Holy See was an undoubted centre of connoisseurship, patronage and artistic endeavour. It is impossible […]