Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

10th June 2014 Mumbai, India

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by Vijay Iyer

Senior Science & Innovation Adviser

Geology, ecology and environment in Kachchh

Kachchh – a tortoise-shaped land situated in the north of Gujarat is a paradise for geologists, environmentalists, and biodiversity enthusiasts! Last month, I visited two Kachchh based institutions located in Bhuj – KSKV Kachchh University and Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology (GUIDE) – in the dry, blazing summer heat! I met with Dr. M. G. […]

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10th June 2014

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by Jonathan Allen

Former Ambassador to Bulgaria

We Should Be Proud of Our History, Not Prisoners of It

Today, I am travelling to Obstina Thompson in Svoge Municipality, in the beautiful Iskar Gorge. I am taking part in a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the death of Major Frank Thompson, executed by the forces of the wartime, pro-Nazi government. Thompson was a member of the British Communist Party. The partisans are of […]

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10th June 2014 Windhoek, Namibia

Marianne Young

by Marianne Young

High Commissioner, Windhoek

#Timetoact on Sexual Violence

Today sees the start of a ground-breaking summit in London to address the continuing scourge of sexual violence in conflict. More than 1,200 delegates, including government officials, international organisations, civil society and international experts are expected to attend the event to help spearhead growing international momentum to halt the use of rape and sexual violence […]

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10th June 2014 Athens, Greece

British Ambassador to Greece, John Kittmer

by John Kittmer

Former UK ambassador to the Hellenic Republic

Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict

During the course of this week (10-13 June), the British Government will host in London a Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. This is our biggest and most important international event for some time, and is the culmination of two years of hard work with international partners. We want Governments, civil society and […]

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10th June 2014 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

PSVI Global Summit in London – Time To Act

In May 2012, British Foreign Secretary William Hague launched the “Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative” or “PSVI” In short, PSVI is about preventing the use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon in conflict. In so many conflict situations, it affects not only large numbers of women, but also men and children. However, the perpetrators of […]

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9th June 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria

by British Embassy Sofia

Bulgaria of My Childhood – The Poetry of Those Years

by Helen Dexter (nee Bartlett) Helen Dexter grew up in Bulgaria. Her parents came in the country in 1955 on a two-year contract to work as English teachers, but have stayed for 11 years. Helen has had a very strong connection with Bulgaria since then. She speaks fluent Bulgarian and returned to Bulgaria with her husband Phil Dexter, […]

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8th June 2014 Brasilia, Brazil

by Chris Brealey

#TimeToAct

Rape and sexual violence has been a part of war as far back as we know. It occurs both as a consequence of conflict but is also used as a weapon in itself. It is civilians (all sexes and ages) who suffer the most . We do not think this is inevitable. It’s time to […]

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