9th December 2025
Why We Need Data, Courage, and Community
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
2nd December 2025
In cybersecurity, there are no limits – only new voices ready to lead
14th October 2025
Lost and Found (but mostly lost)
20th February 2015 Brasilia, Brazil
Statistics, penguins and proud people
On 23 Jan I started a (long) journey to the South Atlantic. More specifically, the Falkland Islands. There I spent a week with Brazilian academics from Rio, Brasilia, Porto Alegre and Foz do Iguaçu learning about the Islands’ political system, economy, education, development plans, science and research opportunities, but also got to know the friendly […]
20th February 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
UK and Turkey: doing good business
Next week promises to be a big week for UK-Turkish trade and investment. Lord Livingston, the British Minister of State for Trade and Investment, will visit Turkey from 22-25 February. The Minister will open a GREAT Technology event; hold formal high-level talks with Trade Minister Zeybekci; meet British investors in Turkey, and Turkish investors in […]
20th February 2015 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
His Majesty’s meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron at Chequers
On a Monday morning in February in Buckinghamshire, His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei travelled by vintage Rolls Royce to Chequers, the Prime Minister’s official country residence, to be greeted by The Rt Hon David Cameron MP. His Majesty and the Prime Minister were meeting to renew a longstanding agreement to station UK troops at […]
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19th February 2015 Vancouver, Canada
Meet our Bloggers: Nicole Arbour
Every week one of our bloggers will introduce themselves to the world and talk about how much fun it is working in Science Policy. Today team leader Nicole Arbour says hello from Ottawa and next week Aatif Baskanderi takes his turn. Nicole Arbour – Ottawa Hi. My name is Nicole and I am a scientist. Or […]
19th February 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
#freedomtobelieve
Most of the world’s population lives in countries where freedom of religion or belief is restricted in some way, and over a third where such limitations are extreme. Some 60 countries retain on their statute books laws against blasphemy, or apostasy, with often draconian punishments for those who transgress. And yet, as long ago as […]
19th February 2015 Colombo, Sri Lanka
A visit to the Vanni
Earlier this week, the UN Human Rights Council agreed to Prince Zeid’s request to defer consideration of his office’s investigation into the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka to the summer. The UK was a main sponsor of the resolution setting up the investigation and we remain committed to it. Those who provided information to […]
18th February 2015 Madrid, Spain
About British Scientists in Spain
I’ve blogged before about Science and Diplomacy. For the UK, science is a real force for generating economic growth, fostering collaboration between international partners and improving living standards everywhere. That’s why we have a network of Science and Innovation officers working in our embassies around the world, including here in Madrid: Spain is an important […]
18th February 2015 Beirut, Lebanon
New Technology for Old Challenges: Innovation and Development
The Syria conflict has created the biggest refugee crisis in modern history – imagine everyone inside the M25 leaving Britain. Lebanon is dealing with an unprecedented influx of those vulnerable refugees, 78% of them women and children. The international community’s response has been huge – we are spending more in Lebanon per square kilometre than […]
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18th February 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
Dear Jordan, Our love affair has lasted for four years. But I’m afraid it’s time to break up. I have to leave. It’s going to be hard to do. As Juliet said to Romeo: “parting is such sweet sorrow”. We will be really sad, but it’s time to move on. Of course I knew from […]
18th February 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Business in Turkey: the rules of the game
British people are often accused of using too many sporting metaphors. Expression such as “a good innings” (doing well but nearly finished) or “a sticky wicket” (a hard-to-defend situation) come from cricket. Others, eg “game, set and match” (the contest has ended) or “ the ball’s in your court” (it’s up to you to make […]
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