Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

20th February 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

Will the London future taxi be Turkish?

At first sight, the vehicle looks like a slice of science fiction futurism from “The Fifth Element”. When we climb into the big, low-floored cab, designed to offer easy access to disabled people and wheel-chair users, everything feels familiar.  Yet somehow it is also different: more comfortable and spacious than usual. We’re at Hexagon Studios, […]

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19th February 2014 Washington DC, USA

by Karen Betts

Foreign Policy Counsellor

Syrian Children Need Our Help

My children are the most delightful people I know. You probably feel the same about your children, your grandchildren, your nieces and nephews. My son is a mix of winning charm and 3 year old defiance. My daughter, who is 9 months, is smiley, chubby and cuddly. My children live in a protective environment: one […]

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19th February 2014

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by Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Religion, Violence and Sectarianism

Baroness Warsi is the first ever British Minister for Faith in a British government. She is also Senior Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In both roles, at home and abroad, and with the strong support of the Prime Minister, she has made religious freedom a personal priority: promoting and protecting people’s […]

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19th February 2014

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by Peter Millett

Ambassador to Libya, Tripoli

The Wrong Mansaf

Jordanians are proud of their national dish. And rightly so: this tasty dish of rice, lamb and jameed (a kind of yoghurt) is a symbol of Jordanian tradition and an essential part of major occasions. Mansaf is also a regular part of the visits that diplomats make to parts of the country. And of course, […]

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19th February 2014 Mumbai, India

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by Vijay Iyer

Senior Science & Innovation Adviser

Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult

Imagine a place where scientists, engineers, and businessmen are jointly creating the next best technology, which will change the way our world functions – welcome to the Catapult centre! The Technology Strategy Board (TSB)  has created a network of Catapults in the UK to support innovation, and thereby drive economic growth. Currently, there are seven […]

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18th February 2014

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by Jonathan Allen

Former Ambassador to Bulgaria

Welcome to The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award to Bulgaria

Yesterday, I took part with the President in the official launch of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Scheme in Bulgaria. This was not just an offical duty, but a personal pleasure too, because from the age of 14- 18, at school, I participated in the Scheme. The lessons I learned then stay with me now. As […]

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18th February 2014

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by Bruce Bucknell

Former British Deputy High Commissioner Kolkata

Incentive

An advantage for English speakers trying to speak another language is that so many of our words find their way into other languages.  Russian is no different.  But I can imagine that the creep of anglicisms into Russian is as galling for Russian speakers, as it is for speakers of other languages. One word that […]

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18th February 2014 Mumbai, India

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by Vijay Iyer

Senior Science & Innovation Adviser

Interview with Dr. Paul Ellsmore, Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult centre, Glasgow

A 5-member UK delegation participated in the recent workshops (03/02 & 06/02) on offshore wind energy organised by the UK Science & Innovation Network India in Ahmedabad and Chennai. I met with Dr. Paul Ellsmore, Academic & Cross-Catapult Manager from the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult centre, Glasgow to find out more about the centre’s […]

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18th February 2014 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

The impact of invasive Acacia in conjunction with fire on the Kerangas forest of Brunei

This is a guest blog by James Margrove, a post graduate student from the University of Aberdeen, who is currently in Brunei doing an internship at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam studying the impact of invasive Acacia in conjunction with fire on the Kerangas forest of Brunei. I was first informed about the internship opportunity with the […]

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