9th December 2025
Why We Need Data, Courage, and Community
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
2nd December 2025
In cybersecurity, there are no limits – only new voices ready to lead
14th October 2025
Lost and Found (but mostly lost)
20th February 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
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, […]
Read more on Will the London future taxi be Turkish? | Reply (1)
19th February 2014 Washington DC, USA
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 […]
19th February 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
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 […]
19th February 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
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, […]
19th February 2014 Mumbai, India
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 […]
Read more on Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult | Reply (2)
19th February 2014 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
World Land Speed Record Holder visits Brunei
Imagine a car that can go at over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) per hour. In one blink of the eye, the car can go 150 metres. In one second, the distance of four and a half football pitches. Well, imagination seemed to come much closer to reality when the British High Commission hosted a visit […]
Read more on World Land Speed Record Holder visits Brunei | Reply
18th February 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
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 […]
Read more on Welcome to The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award to Bulgaria | Reply
18th February 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
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 […]
18th February 2014 Mumbai, India
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 […]
Read more on Interview with Dr. Paul Ellsmore, Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult centre, Glasgow | Reply (1)
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 […]
Read more on The impact of invasive Acacia in conjunction with fire on the Kerangas forest of Brunei | Reply