17th July 2025
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
15th July 2025
International Day of Women in Diplomacy: UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls visit to Geneva
1st May 2025
The UN Commission on the Status of Women: My first visit as UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls
3rd March 2014 Toronto, Canada
3 March: World Wildlife Day
3 March 2014 is the first World Wildlife Day, proclaimed by the United Nations late last year to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES is a multilateral treaty designed to prevent the trade in plants and animals (or animal parts) from endangering […]
1st March 2014 Islamabad, Pakistan
The Sports Connection
The Asia Cup has just started and cricket fever is in the air. During Pakistan’s opening match in the series, I was intrigued to see how many of my Pakistani acquaintances were glued to their TV sets, constantly updating their Twitter feeds and Facebook statuses. Wins and losses do not keep the Pakistani cricket fan […]
28th February 2014 Ottawa, Canada
Watch out Halifax: The Brits are Coming
Next week is a big week for the UK in Canada as we’re launching a “Pop-up” Consulate in Halifax. “What is a Pop-Up Consulate?” you may well ask…
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28th February 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria
From the Small Rituals to the Daily Life to the Major Events
by Alexandra Mihaylova Alexandra Mihaylova has worked as Manager of the British Ambassador’s Residence in Bulgaria since 2002. We decided to break the rule of only featuring stories written by British people who have lived, or are living, in Bulgaria, on our 100 Years UK in BG blog, because Alex can offer endless stories about “the House” and what is […]
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28th February 2014 USA
A Hidden British Gem in DC
The popularity of Doctor Who in the US is no more evident to me than when I hear people ask if we can get our hands on a Tardis to help them travel to the UK. I recently found out that there is actually a Tardis (of sorts) in Georgetown in the form of a […]
28th February 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Brilliant Turkish women
Are women better at business than men? I found myself asking this question after visiting KAGIDER, the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey, here in Istanbul. KAGIDER is a fine organisation. A group of top women business types set it up in 2002. Its goals include developing entrepreneurship among women; strengthening women’s status economically […]
27th February 2014 Washington DC, USA
UK Rolls Out Red Carpet for Film And TV
British films up for Oscars this weekend showcase the UK as a GREAT home for creative industries! One of the many benefits of being a Brit in Washington has to be the ability to watch the many big TV events – which America does so well – at a reasonable hour. While staying up all […]
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27th February 2014 Ottawa, Canada
Heading to Halifax
Next week we are heading east. The High Commission is opening up a ‘pop-up’ office for a week in Halifax and we’ll be out in full force promoting all things British through political, consular, cultural, trade, and defence themed events…
27th February 2014 Toronto, Canada
Canadian science news: 17-23 February 2014
Trouble reading this story or moving through pages? Check it out on Storify here: http://storify.com/SINCanada/canadian-science-news-17-23-february-2014 [View the story ” Canadian science news: 17-23 February 2014″ on Storify]
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27th February 2014 Budapest, Hungary
Thoughts on Holocaust Remembrance
Much has been written and said recently about the Hungarian government’s relationship with the local Jewish communities. I don’t want to address that here. Rather I wanted to offer some thoughts about Holocaust remembrance more generally. The UK took over the Chair of IHRA this week. That’s the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. IHRA is a 31 member international body, […]