9th April 2026
The Gulf, Berlin and the Commission on the Status of Women: building global alliances to advance women’s progress
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
26th February 2026
Different Memories, Shared Futures: Why Inclusive Remembrance Matters for Serbia and the Region
22nd December 2025
Continuing to grow the global alliance for women and girls
1st April 2014 London, UK
Nikesh Mehta- The Perks of Being a Diplomat
The perks of being a diplomat Nikesh Mehta (middle) whilst in Uganda by Imran Choudhury BUILDING relationships between different countries and diffusing tensions may sound like quite a demanding job, but it does have it perks – just ask British diplomat Nikesh Mehta. The 36-year-old has worked in Iraq, Uganda and Malaysia and mingled with […]
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1st April 2014 Budapest, Hungary
IV. Human Rights Movie Day
Guest blog by Marcell Lőrincz, Chairman of Subjective Values Foundation (Szubjektív Értékek Alapítvány) Every March since 2011 the British Embassy has been organizing a very important event called the “Human Rights Movie Day”. This time our NGO, the Subjective Values Foundation, was asked to help in the implementation – so we did our best. As we […]
1st April 2014 Athens, Greece
Another corner of a foreign field: Newbould and Manoliasa
Rupert Brooke’s grave on the Aegean island of Skyros is well known to many. I once walked there – it is a beautiful spot. Cared for by the Commonwealth Graves Commission, his gravestone is engraved with his famous poem ‘The Soldier’: If I should die, think only this of me; That there’s some corner of […]
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1st April 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
National Dialogue
‘I have been asked a number of times what is the UK position is on National Dialogue. Broadly the answer is YES to a National Dialogue, but only one that is genuine, comprehensive and inclusive. My impression from my recent travels, talking to Sudanese from El Genina to Dongola, is that this is the view […]
1st April 2014 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
6th ASEAN Youth Forum and ASEAN People’s Forum
Our guest blogger today is Khairunnisa Ashari, who is the Head of International Relations, Brunei Youth Council. Recently, two other colleagues, Faizul H. Ibrahim and Rachel Lai were selected to attend the 6th ASEAN Youth Forum and ASEAN People’s Forum with her and this is what she has to say about their trips to Myanmar. […]
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1st April 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
New Australian High Commissioner in London
The new Australian High Commissioner in London will be moving back into his teenage home when he takes up his position in May. Alexander Downer, whose appointment was announced yesterday, lived at the splendid official residence, Stoke Lodge near Hyde Park, when his father was High Commissioner in London from 1964-72. He went to school […]
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31st March 2014 Houston, USA
The UK harnessing science to “bounce back”
There is a certain buzzword that you hear a lot these days. It’s tossed around by business executives, city managers, weather forecasters, even the odd politician. You feel you should be doing it, but you’re not sure how, or even what it means—resilience. What is resilience? Resilience is the ability to “bounce back” quickly from […]
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31st March 2014 Washington DC, USA
Inherited Identities, New Futures
Diaspora – from Greek, “scattering, dispersion” Identity can be a complicated thing. What does it mean to be part of a diaspora? Do people always carry the old country with them or do they gradually leave it behind? You could read Zadie Smith or Jhumpa Lahiri for some answers. This isn’t a fictional question for me. Over […]
31st March 2014 Paris, France
Climate change is already happening
We’ve just had the publication of a major report by the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) – the UN authorised panel that is the most authoritative source of scientific advice – dealing with the impact of climate change on human beings and our environment.
31st March 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Decoding the English Language: Sense and Sensibility
When I was learning Swedish in London I studied in a language training centre, where post pupils were European business men and women seeking to improve their English. While I tried to do my Swedish homework, my thoughts often strayed to what I could overhear of the classes in the neighbouring rooms. Hearing the teachers […]
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