26th February 2026
Different Memories, Shared Futures: Why Inclusive Remembrance Matters for Serbia and the Region
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
22nd December 2025
Continuing to grow the global alliance for women and girls
17th December 2025
MAKING LIFE SAFER, FOR EVERYONE
25th April 2014 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Shakespeare’s 450th Birthday
23rd April is St George’s Day, the Patron Saint of England. Appropriately enough, it’s also the day one of England’s greatest ever figures – William Shakespeare – was born and died. 23rd April 2014 is particularly special as it marks the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. It also marks the start of a two year […]
24th April 2014 Sana’a, Yemen
Friends of Yemen: Freedom From Fear
Barely a day goes by without there being a security incident of some form in Yemen: at its most prominent, we see terrorist attacks and assassinations. We see less of the daily insecurity or food insecurity or violence against women that happens in many countries, including Yemen. Security is a basic human right. Security can […]
24th April 2014 Budapest, Hungary
"All the world’s a stage…"
Guest blog by Simon Ingram-Hill, Director of the British Council in Hungary. Yesterday we celebrated St George’s day in the UK. To celebrate, I was invited to a small Byzantine church surrounded by olive groves by my Greek friend Georgios – and afterwards to eat sweets and almonds. On April 23rd we celebrate St […]
24th April 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The Vatican: A global hub
It has been a busy few days at the Vatican. Easter week, with its public ceremonies and celebrations, is just behind us. This coming weekend will see the canonisation of two Popes, John XXIII and John Paul II. Pope Francis will preside, and the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, could also be present. Along with many […]
24th April 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
England’s History, Scotland’s Future
Yesterday at the Residence we marked St George’s Day, the feast day of England’s patron saint, and the week of the 450th anniversary of the birth of England’s and the world’s greatest dramatist and poet,William Shakespeare. A British architect, Rueben Thorpe, talked to us about the excavation of the Rose Theatre in London, one of the […]
24th April 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria
Between Two Cultures
by David Mossop David Mossop first came to Bulgaria in the distant 1987 to work as a teacher at British Council Bulgaria. He had previously studied Russian and wanted to learn one more Slavic language. Little did he know then that his entire life was to become ineluctably connected with Bulgaria, its language and culture. […]
24th April 2014 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Baroness Warsi visits Brunei
Baroness Warsi has just completed a two day visit. She is Senior Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Her visit to Brunei was part of a regional tour which also included Malaysia (Sabah and Kuala Lumpur) and Singapore. The Minister had a very full programme, including an Audience with His Majesty The […]
23rd April 2014 Los Angeles, USA
A Q&A with Dame Wendy Hall
I guest-blogged over on the Queen Elizabeth Prize ‘Create the Future’ site this month on the 25th anniversary of the World Wide Web, as well as an interview that I conducted with Dame Wendy Hall. Read it here.
23rd April 2014 New York, USA
Shakespeare’s Big Four-Five-Oh
His is an amazing name when you think about it. Something tremulous, something virile. Vulnerability and power in tension — or is it harmony? Like his characters, so recognisably real in their complexity, even the playwright’s signature seems to encompass a vision of humanity in all its strengths and failings. “What’s in a name?” Juliet […]
23rd April 2014 London, UKMadrid, Spain
Business and Human Rights is a top priority for the British Government
I’ve blogged before about Business and Human Rights. Sustainable trade is vital for our economy, it supports employment and promotes British and global growth. But at the same time, human rights values are intrinsic to our foreign policy. So we will not promote trade at the expense of human rights. Our work on business and […]
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