25th April 2024
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
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20th May 2020 Skopje, North Macedonia
Local traditions during the holy month of Ramadan
The holy month of Ramadan is about to end and I would like to send my very best wishes to all who are Muslims, who like me observed this special time of the year. Keeping yourself and loved ones well during Ramadan this year will mean adapting usual religious and cultural practices. Traditionally Ramadan is […]
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17th May 2020 Skopje, North Macedonia
Inclusion in uncertain times – IDAHOBIT
Two things struck me when I was asked to write this week’s blog marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May. First, it reminded me how much the world has changed since February. I’m thinking of then because it was the last public event I hosted, the day before the first […]
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15th May 2020
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A home for all of us
17 May is IDAHOBIT, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. While there are many special days to mark throughout the year, this is an important one to me personally. Last September, my wife Martina and I took part in the first PRIDE march in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was a happy day for us, […]
8th May 2020 India
Manipur to London: One Brit’s epic 8,000-mile journey from India
Whether at home or overseas, each of us will have our own memories of the COVID-19 pandemic – both personal and professional. In India, we’ll recall the fateful 24 hours in late March when FCO advised all British tourists and short-stay travellers abroad to return to the UK and the Government of India imposed what […]
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27th April 2020 Vienna, Austria
Why now is the time to take global action against COVID-19
Coronavirus or COVID-19 has been shaping the reality of life and work in Austria, the UK and around the world. As we are all trying to do our bit to fight the spread of the virus (stay at home!) and adapt where possible to a new normal, I think it’s worth reminding ourselves that in […]
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22nd April 2020 Dublin, Ireland
Living in Lockdown
I wanted to reflect on the Coronavirus crisis, the tragic loss of so many lives around the world and on actions that need to be taken to defeat the virus. The enormity of what is happening is incredibly difficult to come to terms with. Just like everybody else, I have never known anything like this […]
16th April 2020 Skopje, North Macedonia
Local traditions and recipes for Orthodox Easter
My name is Mare Janevska and I am the Manager and Chef of the British Residence in Skopje. It was an honour to be chosen for this position that I have been working in for 13 years now. I am working on both positions in parallel but the role as Chef at the Residence is […]
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8th April 2020 Belgrade, Serbia
A Tale of Two Hospitals
Since the world became aware of the new deadly coronavirus (COVID19) spreading rapidly among the population of a Chinese province, governments around the world have been planning and preparing to deal with its expected effects. But few people can have anticipated the scale of devastation and disruption that this virus would soon be bringing to […]
6th April 2020 Vienna, Austria
Getting 391 British Nationals home safely
A plane approaches London Heathrow, appearing to grow larger as it nears the runway. As British airways flight BA0961 lands safely, a collective sigh of relief is heard at the British Embassy in Vienna. In the last two weeks, the British Embassy in Vienna has helped 391 people get out of ski resorts in Austria […]
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3rd April 2020 Geneva, Switzerland
Enhancing Co-operation and Assistance for a Landmine Free World
On 4 April each year, we observe International Mine Awareness Day (or to give it its full title – International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action). International Mine Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about landmines and the continued need to eradicate them. On this day, we promote mine action (clearance, fencing […]
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