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19th November 2014 Yerevan, Armenia
UNSCR 1325 in practice: Women in the military
One of the themes of this year’s NATO week was UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. On November 13 the MFA hosted a roundtable on Armenia’s approach to UNSCR 1325, with stakeholders from government (MFA, MOD, Ministry of Social Affairs, PM’s office), international organisations and NGOs. One of the themes of […]
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18th November 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Lest we forget
It was a privilege for me to lay a wreath last Sunday at the Bucharest War Cemetery in Tâncăbeşti, on behalf of the British Government, in a ceremony honouring the British and Commonwealth servicemen and women killed in the First World War and more recent conflicts, as well as those from other countries who gave […]
17th November 2014 Ottawa, Canada
We will remember them…
In a quiet corner of Ottawa by the junction of Sussex Avenue and Stanley Drive, there stands a fine memorial to the Canadian Officers loaned to Great Britain during the Second World War…
17th November 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Keep calm and carry on
Stereotypes about nations are dangerous things. I read recently that national stereotypes exist for a reason. Maybe, but they can breed prejudice – in the sense of “pre-judging” people or places based on a stereotype before you encounter them. What of stereotypes about Britain? I hope many of my previous blogs have challenged some of […]
17th November 2014 Singapore
Prosperity Fund Project Evaluations in Indonesia
Last month, I made a trip over to Jakarta to join in the evaluation of two Prosperity Fund projects that ran from 2011 to 2013. Aside from the perpetual traffic jams, this visit was extremely enjoyable for two very important reasons. Firstly, this was a perfect opportunity for me to see and hear the impact […]
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17th November 2014 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Digital Diplomacy: From Ferrero Rocher To Tweeting
I’m delighted that Vicki Treadell, British High Commissioner (Designate) to Malaysia has allowed me to print in full a speech that she delivered to the press corps on 12 November 2014. The speech looks at the challenges faced by diplomats and journalists of remaining relevant in the digital age and the fantastic opportunities presented by […]
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17th November 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
David Cameron visits Australia for Brisbane G20 Summit
You always look forward to your Prime Minister visiting the country you’re posted in, even though it means a lot of extra work for the whole team. David Cameron has just been back in Australia for the second time. He began his official bilateral visit on Friday with a stroll around Sydney’s beautiful harbour with […]
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14th November 2014 Singapore
What’s Coming Up On the Blog in the Next Few Weeks
It’s now been 2 months since we started this blog and we are gathering more and more stories to bring you from our work in the region. As we look ahead to the start of the South East Asia Prosperity Fund bidding round at the end of November, I wanted to give you a flavour […]
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14th November 2014 Skopje, North Macedonia
We will remember them
Remembrance is a hugely significant event for the British people and particularly poignant for members of Her Majesty’s armed forces. This year I joined the British Ambassador, Mr Charles Garrett at a service at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Skopje. We were joined by the Minister of Defence, Dr Zoran Jolevski, representatives of […]
14th November 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Thailand’s Choice
Political turbulence in Thailand in the first half of 2014 took its toll on the economy. But in the immediate aftermath of the military coup on 22 May, I met many Thai and British business people who were optimistic that business confidence would quickly return to the Thai marketplace and that the economy would start […]