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)
17th January 2014 Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Visit Tajikistan – “That’s great. Where is Tajikistan?”
The following is a post by Professor Philip Riddle who is a tourism adviser and former head of VisitScotland. That’s the most common response I got when I told friends and relatives I was coming here as a tourism advisor with UK charity VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas). A good first lesson if your job is […]
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17th January 2014 Mumbai, India
Go Goa for research
Understandably, the sound of Goa conjures up images of sandy beaches, lush greenery, and the wide blue ocean. While you can have leisurely fun in Goa, you can also have fun with research there, as I found out! Earlier this month, I visited the Department of Chemistry at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science […]
16th January 2014 Washington DC, USA
Burma, let’s talk
Ever drive onto the Beltway outside Washington DC, or the equivalent in your home town, during rush-hour and wish there were a couple more lanes available? The residents of Nay Pyi Taw, Burma, probably don’t share your concerns. The tiny handful of in-bound motorists has TEN lanes to choose from – as do their out-bound […]
15th January 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A new British Cardinal
Pope Francis was very clear in his letter to the men on his first list of new cardinals since the beginning of his Pontificate. Being a Cardinal, he said, “means neither a promotion, an honour, nor a decoration; it is simply a service”. Simplicity, humility, sobriety and service are the benchmarks for Pope Francis’s cardinals, […]
15th January 2014 Athens, Greece
We’re all stories, in the end
How can defence possibly be interesting? For me it can be if it’s about people – the people behind events, their roles and lives. How they think. What they think and what inspires them. What they do and how they work with others. I’ve never been a great fan of Doctor Who. But I like […]
14th January 2014 Toronto, Canada
Canadian science news: 6-12 January 2014
Trouble reading this story or moving through pages? Check it out on Storify here: http://storify.com/SINCanada/canadian-science-news-6-12-january-2014 [View the story ” Canadian science news: 6-12 January 2014″ on Storify]
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14th January 2014 New Delhi, India
Europe acting together to promote research and innovation cooperation in India
Awareness Raising and Information Campaign in India – 9 January to 31 March 2014 Last week I was at the Indian Institute of Technology – Delhi (IIT-D) to represent the UK at the first event of the European Roadshow 2014 Research, Innovation & Higher Education. The UK shares strong linkages with the IIT-D and it […]
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14th January 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Violence against women, Kusursuzlar and can IKEA do good?
I recently enjoyed the new Turkish film Kusursuzlar (“The Impeccable Ones”). The film shows how two adult sisters respond differently to a traumatic event, the details of which are revealed as the film progresses. It makes gruelling viewing, but has some fine comedy moments – especially featuring the male neighbour who may or may not be a […]
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13th January 2014 Paris, France
The Friends of Syria core group meeting in Paris
We’ve just had in Paris a meeting of a group of countries who are trying to help move forward the Syrian problem which William Hague, our Foreign Minister, was here to attend.
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13th January 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Semana Británica 2014 – Quieres participar?
Ya que comenzamos el 2014 la Embajada está en completo modo de planeación para la Semana Británica. Esta celebración de todas las cosas británica se llevará a cabo del 7 al 15 de marzo e incluirá eventos abiertos al público como un día familiar, un evento de moda y juegos de futbol. Quiero enfocarme ahora […]
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