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Ecolabels: A Catalyst for Sustainable Food Choices?
9th September 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
“I want diplomacy to be more efficient”
It is always good for a diplomat to be reminded that his job is to make a difference. The public image of diplomats too often remains that of the stereotypical cocktail party, and the focus on protocol for its own sake. I am glad to say that that is largely outdated. British ambassadors are appointed […]
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9th September 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Six Royals and 007: Memorial Service for Princess Lilian
I wrote in this space in March about the funeral of Princess Lilian of Sweden, and noted that we planned to organize a memorial service later in the year at the English Church. The service took place yesterday. It was a memorable event for all of us at the Embassy and in the English church […]
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9th September 2013 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Moving Up In The World!
What has three miles of telephone and IT cabling, a floor size of 13,000sqft, and 40% of its wall space covered in coloured, writable glass? Need another clue? It’s also the greenest building in Kuala Lumpur’s Central Business District. It’s the new British High Commission which opens its doors on 1 October! In just three […]
9th September 2013 Geneva, Switzerland
A September to Remember?
I hope you’ve had a good summer. My holidays have become a lot less adventurous since fatherhood, and gone are the days of disappearing off to far-away countries with a rucksack, a guidebook and a cautiously large amount of Immodium. Nowadays all I want from a holiday is some sleep and to spend my waking […]
9th September 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Cameron calls to congratulate new Australian PM, Tony Abbott
Within minutes of Tony Abbott winning the election on Saturday night, British PM David Cameron called him to offer warm congratulations. He talked about the very strong ties between Britain and Australia. PM Abbott, born in London to Australian parents who were living there temporarily, and a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, agreed on the importance […]
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6th September 2013 Toronto, Canada
SABRE, Skylon and the British aerospace revolution
Back in July, the UK government announced (amid much media fanfare) that it was investing £60 M in Reaction Engines Limited and supporting the development of the futuristic-sounding Skylon spaceplane. In this blog post, we will take a look at why this technology is significant, and why the future of aerospace is in British hands. […]
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6th September 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Fresh Water For Poor People: This year’s Stockholm Water Prize winner
As the Presidential road blocks were dismantled, and the sun continued to shine on the sparkling water outside the City Hall, I was privileged to be among the thousands gathered in the Stadshuset to see the British-born scientist, Dr Peter Morgan, become the 23rd Stockholm Water laureate. For more than 40 years Dr. Morgan has worked […]
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6th September 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Readers’ questions: Intelligentsia or chattering classes?
What are your thoughts on the concept of intelligentsia? – Alena Belausava Alena: thank you for your question. I liked it because it sparked my curiosity. I wondered if we have a similar term. So I had a brief splash around in the shallows of the internet to research the idea. I’ve come up with […]
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6th September 2013 Dublin, Ireland
A GREAT British Presence at the Krynica Economic Forum
I have just completed a hectic couple of GREAT days at the Krynica Economic Forum. Our mission was to promote British expertise, capability and innovation and highlight the opportunity that Poland and the rest of Emerging Europe represents for British business. Krynica is sometimes described as the Central European Davos and attracts a high profile […]
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6th September 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Accelerating cultural collaboration
I announced this year’s participants in the British Council’s Accelerator programme in Melbourne yesterday. The initiative takes up-and-coming indigenous cultural leaders from Australia to the UK, to work with mentors and peers. Previous years’ winners have talked eloquently about the personal development which they gained from participating. We were serenaded at the event by the […]