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Lost and Found (but mostly lost)
6th March 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY
I am, of course, at an immediate disadvantage in writing a blog about the role and representation of women in politics and society on the inescapable basis that I am not one. But I am a son, a brother, a husband, a father and a colleague to strong, creative and clever women, and that leaves […]
6th March 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
British Ambassador’s speech on CoST
I am very pleased to see that Thailand is becoming a member of the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST). In doing so, Thailand commits to implement CoST’s international standards by establishing a disclosure and assurance system to enhance transparency in public construction projects. Such a system will build trust in decision-making, help to ensure value […]
6th March 2015 Windhoek, Namibia
Making it happen for International Women’s Day in Namibia
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “Make It Happen”. Yesterday, I had the privilege to celebrate it in the presence of a group of impressive Namibian women who have all made it happen in their respective fields of diplomacy, financial services, media, human rights advocacy and government. Joining me for a special […]
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6th March 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
James Bond, conspiracy theories and the Welsh Secret Service
Amongst the snippets of “what will happen in 2015?” news earlier this year I saw one piece of news sure to please many people. A new James Bond 007 Film, “Spectre”, will launch in November. People are fascinated by secret services. Some are more secret than others. My blog of December 2010, “I can burn […]
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5th March 2015 Washington DC, USA
Proud to be a British (female) Diplomat
When I first told my dad that I wanted to be a British diplomat, he told me not to be daft; as a woman who hadn’t studied at either Oxford or Cambridge University, I didn’t stand a chance, he said. I like to think he was protecting me from disappointment. Or perhaps he was employing […]
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5th March 2015 Skopje, North Macedonia
Celebrate International Women’s Day with Women’s Rights Nights!
Emerging from the movement for equal rights, shorter working hours, better pay and voting rights for women, International Women’s Day (IWD) has been observed since the early 1900s. On 8th of March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to empower women, celebrate the progress and remind of the remaining gender inequalities. In Skopje, […]
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5th March 2015 Paris, France
Climate: Franco-British collaboration for a low carbon future
I had the opportunity to open a conference of the nuclear energy industry between Britain and France, looking at a low carbon future. It made me think about the way these two hugely important issues come together. How do we ensure a low carbon future for the planet and keep global warming under control and […]
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5th March 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
International Women, acting together against domestic violence
International Women’s Day is a huge festival in Russia, and the biggest sales day of the year for florists across the country. But yesterday in Ekaterinburg we marked the occasion with a more practical demonstration of what International Women’s Day means. With support from our Consulate in Ekaterinburg, the directors of womens’ crisis centres and […]
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5th March 2015 Budapest, Hungary
Climate Driving Economic Growth? – The New Climate Economy Conference in Budapest
Guest blog by Kriszti Kocsis, Senior Policy Officer (Energy, Climate and Environment) at the British Embassy in Budapest, organiser of the New Climate Economy Conference in Budapest. The New Climate Economy Conference in Budapest on 25 February was a joint project of the Association of Hungarian Economists and the British, German and French Embassies. The event was unique […]
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5th March 2015 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Guest blog: British and Uzbek women – representatives of diverse cultures with common aspirations
On the eve of International Women’s Day the Deputy Head of Mission Fiona Maxton highlights the role women play in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and UK efforts in preventing violence against women and promoting their rights globally. She also illustrates the British Embassy’s work that makes our small contribution to improving the status of […]
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