Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

27th August 2013

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

Inspiring the Inspirational

Today people around the world are honouring the memory of Raoul Wallenberg. I’ve been reading Alex Kershaw’s book “To Save a People”. It is in equal parts heartbreaking in its accounts of individual cruelty and suffering and inspirational in its description of the idealism and bravery that Wallenberg and his colleagues displayed. I was intrigued […]

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26th August 2013

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by Greg Dorey

Diplomat

Open University, Open Minds

On Saturday I was pleased to be asked to address the graduation of the final and 7th Cohort of Ethiopian Open University (OU) MBA students at Addis Ababa University. This was just the latest manifestation of a long-standing bilateral educational relationship. The collaboration between the UK and Ethiopia in education stretches all the way back […]

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23rd August 2013

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by Bruce Bucknell

Former British Deputy High Commissioner Kolkata

Readers’ questions: Constant gardeners

Why is there a huge passion for parks, gardens and lawns in Britain? – Eugene Petrashkevich Dear Eugene:  thank you for your question – I’ve simplified it from your original version. I understood your question as asking why we have gardens and parks for pleasure, rather than for necessity (to grow vegetables and fruit to eat). […]

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23rd August 2013

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by Greg Dorey

Diplomat

End modern slavery

Today, we pay tribute to many women and men who were victims of the Slave Trade. The UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is observed annually on 23 August to remind people of the tragedy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. This day is an opportunity to honour and […]

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21st August 2013

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by Sarah Dickson

Ambassador to Guatemala (June 2012 - June 2015)

Bienvenida al Bebé Real

Cuando estas a un largo camino lejos de casa, eventos como el nacimiento de Su Majestad Real el Príncipe Jorge pueden llegar a tener un significado especial. Muchas personas han felicitado a la Embajada por el nacimiento que sentimos que debíamos hacer algo para celebrar esta feliz llegada. De hecho, fue algo más que solo […]

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21st August 2013

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by Sarah Dickson

Ambassador to Guatemala (June 2012 - June 2015)

Asuntos globales, intereses locales

Recientemente tuve el placer de estar en Londres por la visita del Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Fernando Carrera. Su agenda, estuvo compuesta por varios temas, desde la política de drogas hasta el comercio internacional de azúcar. Dentro de ello, quiero resaltar un tema en particular que discutió con el Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores William Hague […]

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21st August 2013 Bangalore, India

Sunil Kumar M

by Sunil Kumar

Senior Science & Innovation Adviser

Startup Showcase Day in London: Be there!

The UK is considered as the digital technology capital of Europe. From the World Wide Web to the micro-computer, UK has been at the forefront of technological innovations, helping  economic growth and promoting social change. The SIN team works closely with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) on digital innovations. Merlin Rory Picardo, who is the lead […]

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