Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

24th June 2014 Ottawa, Canada

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by Corin Robertson

Deputy High Commissioner to Canada

Escaping the Ottawa Bubble

When I arrived in Canada nearly 3 years ago, one of the best pieces of advice I had was to get out of Ottawa to experience the diversity of culture, politics and geography of this incredible country. This was great advice, and I’ve tried to follow it, travelling as much as my budget (and family commitments!) allow…

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24th June 2014 Oslo, Norway

EU Energy Security, Green Growth & Partnership with Norway

Energy security and climate policies that support green growth are two sides of the same coin. Improving resilience and capacity on one side strengthens the other. As EU leaders gather this week to discuss these interlinked issues, the following is a review of the priorities that the British Government will bring to the table. Norway […]

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23rd June 2014 Los Angeles, USA

Some things I learned in Sri Lanka: Development, climate change & international negotiations

I spend my days as a Science and Innovation Officer at the Consulate in Los Angeles, but one of my external passions, and one which lead me to this position, is international development. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to cover the World Conference on Youth in Colombo, Sri Lanka as a Social Media Fellow. […]

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23rd June 2014 Geneva, Switzerland

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by Bob Last

Head, UK Mission Political and Human Rights Team

Human Rights and Carbohydrates

I wonder what Napoleon Bonaparte would have made of the Human Rights Council.  I suspect the man who said an army marches on its stomach would ask how on earth we all survive. By week 2, the typical Council diet goes something like this: Breakfast: coffee, and gummy bears (5 minutes). Lunch: a sandwich that […]

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23rd June 2014

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by Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Gay Pride in Istanbul: Why it matters

Between 23 and 29 June, Istanbul will be once again be the location for the biggest gay pride festival in the region. Last year more than 100,000 people were reported as participating. The European Commission’s progress report in October 2013 commended the fact that Gay Pride marches in recent years had gone ahead in Turkey without […]

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23rd June 2014

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by Bruce Bucknell

Former British Deputy High Commissioner Kolkata

Reviewing History to Look beyond the Myths: 1914 Revisited

I am an historian by training.  The disciplines I learnt from studying history at university have remained with me.  I dislike general assertions that are not backed by evidence, or based on facts.  I like to understand the context of any particular situation, and I’m interested in the causes and consequences of events. Every diplomat […]

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23rd June 2014 Bucharest, Romania

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by Raluca Bragarea

Head of Communications, Bucharest

Securitate & apărare: Londra apreciază perspectiva regională a Bucureștiului

Un blog semnat de Însărcinatul cu Afaceri Esther Blythe Astăzi (luni 23 iunie) găzduim o vizită importantă, cea a reprezentanţilor Grupului de prietenie româno-britanică din Parlamentul de la Londra. Parte dintr-o suită de evenimente devenite deja tradiţionale pentru relaţia bilaterală, activitatea grupului de prietenie parlamentară a fost sărbătorită în mod special anul trecut prin prezenţa la […]

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23rd June 2014

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

Scotland: the best of all lands and the best of all worlds

On 18 September, voters in Scotland will be asked “Should Scotland be an independent country?”. The UK and Scottish Governments agree that the question is for people in Scotland to decide. The UK Government strongly believes that Scotland’s future is better staying within the United Kingdom, but it has of course pledged to respect the […]

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