8th November 2024
Ecolabels: A Catalyst for Sustainable Food Choices?
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
17th October 2024
OSLOBOĐENJE BEOGRADA
11th October 2024
Busting the gender myths – women and organised crime
1st December 2014 Brasilia, Brazil
Time to reflect
Today is World AIDS Day. It is a great opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the last 20 years. The devastating Ebola outbreak in West Africa is a reminder of what it was like when AIDS started. Stigma, misunderstanding and discrimination were widespread. People were scared and afraid […]
1st December 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Help BiH farmers sell their products in the EU
Since I took up my post in Bosnia and Herzegovina this summer I have taken every opportunity to travel around the country. The beauty and diversity of the rural landscape is the first thing that strikes the newcomer, and from every highway one can see the distinctive, beehive-shaped haystacks and crops and livestock tended by […]
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1st December 2014 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Celebrating St Andrew’s Day in Scotland’s Special Year
There are strong links between Scotland and Brunei, and as we celebrate Scotland’s national day over the weekend, anyone passing the British High Commission will notice a subtle change In addition to the red, white and blue of the Union Flag, there is a simple blue field with a bold white cross running from its […]
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1st December 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
HMAS Canberra: Australia’s new amphibious capability
Up close, warships look enormous. As we approached Woolloomooloo Wharf in Sydney for the commissioning ceremony, HMAS Canberra, Australia’s newest – and largest ever – naval vessel loomed over the invited guests. Navies do these things in style. The Governor General, Prime Minister and senior naval officers all spoke, Padres blessed the ship, the band played. […]
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30th November 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria
Doing Business in Bulgaria over the Past 30 Years
by Dr. Barbara Page-Roberts Dr. Barbara Page-Roberts is International Marketing Consultant who has been connected to Bulgaria for many years. “I have spent the most of the past 30 years in Bulgaria, and I consider it to be a privilege that I live here permanently for the past ten.” – Dr. Barbara Page Roberts On the face […]
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30th November 2014 Skopje, North Macedonia
Scottish recipes for St Andrews Day
The people of Scotland account for 8,3 % of the total UK population. Today, Scotland marks its national day – St Andrew’s Day. It’s a chance to really celebrate all that is great about our heritage and culture – our people, our food, and our skills, many of which have been passed on through generation […]
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30th November 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A Scotsman in the Holy See
Guest blog by Monsignor Charles Burns OBE, Ecclesiastical Advisor of the British Embassy to the Holy See There have been Scots here in Rome for many centuries. The Scottish Hospice was founded in 1475 to assist Scottish pilgrims, and the Pontifical Scots College – where the Feast of St Andrew is celebrated every year – […]
29th November 2014 Islamabad, Pakistan
Celebrating St Andrew’s Day in Pakistan
For many here in Pakistan, Scotland needs no introduction, with its vibrant Pakistani communities and the links between Scotland and Pakistan in higher education and business.I was delighted that my first big event as the new British High Commissioner to Pakistan after I arrived in January was to host a Burns Night party. Haggis being […]
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28th November 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
In St.Andrew’s footsteps
St Andrew may not be my name saint, but he is my adopted one. I’ve been following him around all my life, born in Scotland and serving in three of the other countries that have St Andrew as their patron saint – Ukraine, Romania and Russia. Indeed he was in the background before I was […]
28th November 2014 Beirut, Lebanon
ALEXANDER THE GREAT, SPEED DATING AND JAWBONE
I recently got a Jawbone ‘Up’, a device that monitors your daily activity, sleep patterns and exercise, and helps you better control your health. As a father of two boys, I don’t need anyone to tell me I don’t get enough sleep. But, like many, I’m outsourcing the collection of my data to a plastic […]
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