Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

13th September 2013

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by Paul Madden

British Ambassador to Japan

Remembering the Battle of Britain

The “light blue” uniforms were on full display at the High Commission’s annual Battle of Britain Day commemoration this week. Two Royal Australian Air Force Air Marshals were present – Vice Chief of the Defence Force Mark Binskin and Chief of Air Force Geoff Brown – together with a range of serving military personnel and […]

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12th September 2013 British High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica

by Syranno Baines

Digital and Communications Officer

COMMUNITY OUTREACH THROUGH SPORTS

When you think of SPORTS , what often comes to mind is a favorite team, players or a game. Not uncommon, would be thoughts of physical activity and possibly leisure time. However, sports has far outgrown such limiting boundaries, and is now widely accepted as possibly one of the strongest agents of community development

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12th September 2013 Ottawa, Canada

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by Corin Robertson

Deputy High Commissioner to Canada

TIFF-erific: the UK takes TIFF 2013 by storm

I was in Toronto earlier this week for the Toronto International Film Festival. It’s a time of year when Toronto truly shines – there’s a buzz in the air, and the streets are littered with dark-windowed SUVs ferrying their precious cargo (or, as they are known in the trade “the Talent”) from premiere to press conference and back again…

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12th September 2013 New Delhi, India

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by Swati Saxena

Senior Science and Innovation Adviser

Processing food tie ups

The demand for high quality, safe, nutritious processed foods will continue to increase as the global population and affluence increases. In India, the same trends have resulted in significant growth and changes in the food processing industry. Considering this sector’s immediate potential for growth of the economy, the Government of India is indeed focusing towards […]

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11th September 2013 Singapore

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by Tom Crawley

Southeast Asia Science and Innovation Team

Take two aspirin, prevent cancer

Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or bowel) is the most common form of cancer in men in Singapore, and the second most common in women. A hereditary genetic condition called Lynch Syndrome significantly increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Research carried out by British clinical geneticist Sir John Burn at the University of Newcastle […]

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10th September 2013 Havana, Cuba

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by Tim Cole

Former British Ambassador to Cuba

Chevening Cubans

This month Aimée Gonzalez, a Cuban development worker, will travel to London to start her studies in local development. Aimée is a Chevening scholar and I’m really pleased that the British government will be paying for her to study a Masters degree at the London School of Economics (LSE). Every year all over the world […]

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10th September 2013 Vientiane, Laos

Philip Malone

by Philip Malone

Ambassador to Lao PDR

Laos through my eyes – Alexander Robb-Millar

This article is part of a series of guest blogs contributed by Brits who have lived and worked in Laos, or who have other interesting links to Laos. Initially I was quite hesitant in writing this account; however I have enjoyed reading other people’s accounts and encourage others to do so in the hope we […]

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9th September 2013

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by Sarah Dickson

Ambassador to Guatemala (June 2012 - June 2015)

Salvando el bosque, un árbol a la vez

Recientemente he tenido la oportunidad de visitar Peten, en el Norte de Guatemala. Sin querer sonar como  un folleto, es una parte verdaderamente impresionante del país con lluvias tropicales, aves de todo tipo de colores, monos ruidosos y templos Mayas. Esta área es llamada Biosfera Maya. La razón de este viaje, fue para visitar a […]

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9th September 2013

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by Sarah Dickson

Ambassador to Guatemala (June 2012 - June 2015)

Saving the forest, one tree at a time

Recently I had the privilege of visiting Peten in Northern Guatemala. Without wanting to sound too much like a brochure, it is a truly stunning part of the country with tropical rain forests, colourful birds, loud monkeys and Mayan temples. The area is called the Maya Biosphere.  The reason for the trip was to visit […]

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