9th December 2025
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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)
2nd August 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Why Turks can feel good about getting older
Most of us should feel happy about getting older – as they say, it’s better than the alternative. But some of us can feel happier about it than others. To find out why, check out this fascinating Google web-site based on World Bank statistics. It shows life expectancy at birth, ie how long you can […]
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2nd August 2013 Warsaw, Poland
Gdansk is GREAT
Following a period of immense anticipation and excitement the GREAT Routemaster London Doubledecker adorned in red and a HERITAGE is GREAT destination board, fresh from its Grand Prix winning weekend in Budapest chugs into the historical, Hanseatic trading city of Gdańsk. GREAT to see – weather superb and a GREAT location on the rynek. Well […]
1st August 2013 London, UK
FCO launches new Twitter service offering travel advice and help – GOV.UK
British people travelling or living overseas can now get help from the FCO on Twitter: The new Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) service offers an easy way to stay up to date with the latest advice about travel, and to get help before and during a trip abroad. Questions to @FCOtravel are answered 9am – […]
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1st August 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Celebrating ECPAT
All of our countries face problems relating to the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). There have been some shocking cases recently in the UK which have raised awareness of the scale of what we have to deal with – the British Prime Minister has made very clear that addressing CSEC and its underlying causes […]
1st August 2013 Ottawa, Canada
Challenges facing Universities in a Global Market: Guest blog by Professor Nigel Thrift, Vice-Chancellor of Warwick University
Higher education is increasingly being noticed as a lucrative and growing business sector, especially where attracting international students is concerned. This provides many opportunities for forward looking universities and also many challenges. Professor Nigel Thrift*, Vice-Chancellor of Warwick University, attended a summit in Ottawa, Canada to discuss how universities worldwide are adapting to the swiftly […]
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1st August 2013 British High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica
About those Visas …
Britain and Jamaica are long time friends, who partner on very visible technical and operational matters. But should you ask a random Jamaican about the function of the British High Commission in Kingston; the response will undoubtedly be something to do with visas. It has not gone unnoticed that since inception in 2003, visas to […]
31st July 2013 USA
A thorny case for Sherlock Holmes
On the first day of August for the last 45 years, the British Consulate General in Chicago has received six red roses from an anonymous sender. The bouquet’s accompanying card always carries the same message – not one of unrequited love, but rather a moving tribute to the six British infantry regiments that helped defeat […]
31st July 2013 Ottawa, Canada
UK releases International Education Strategy
On Monday, July 29th the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) released its International Education Strategy. This strategy outlines how the UK will work with businesses, schools and universities to develop the economic opportunities of the growing education sector. Strategy highlights include: Welcoming international students: the strategy explains that there is no cap on the […]
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31st July 2013 Harare, Zimbabwe
Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Hosts Last Iftar Dinner Before Draw Down
The PRT hosted a traditional ‘Iftar’ dinner recently which was attended by a diverse mix of 50 local Afghan dignitaries, including Provincial Governor Naeem, district governors, government officials, security leaders, mullahs and ulema, as well as international officials and staff from the PRT and our military colleagues (ISAF). The mixture of Afghan, PRT and ISAF […]
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31st July 2013 Beirut, Lebanon
The Support to Match Their Courage
Tomorrow is Army Day in Lebanon. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will parade, and the Lebanese people reflect on the role the military have played in maintaining stability over the past year, and the sacrifices they have made. I’ll join other Ambassadors in admiring the march past as Lebanese political leaders salute the LAF colours, […]
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