9th April 2026
The Gulf, Berlin and the Commission on the Status of Women: building global alliances to advance women’s progress
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
26th February 2026
Different Memories, Shared Futures: Why Inclusive Remembrance Matters for Serbia and the Region
22nd December 2025
Continuing to grow the global alliance for women and girls
2nd May 2013 Brasilia, Brazil
Case study: Brazil
Journalists are the eyes, voice and ears of a society. When you kill a journalist you contribute to creating a blind, mute and deaf community, unable to understand the environment around it. The killing of journalists is the most severe aggression towards freedom of expression worldwide. Every person has the right to knowledge. Those who […]
2nd May 2013 London, UK
World Press Freedom Day: Storify
The Foreign Office’s Storify on World Press Freedom Day 2013. [View the story “World Press Freedom Day” on Storify]
1st May 2013 Paris, France
Working with France on its Defence White Paper
We’ve just had the publication of the French White Paper on defence and security, the “Livre blanc”. It’s been a great privilege for me to be part of the commission that was put together to advise the Government on writing this White Paper.
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1st May 2013 New Delhi, India
A tribute to Professor Sanjay Biswas
It was with great sadness that the SIN team learnt of the passing of Professor Sanjay Biswas over the weekend. He was a great friend to the team, and a tireless advocate for Indo-UK research collaboration. He was a truly special person, and we will miss him. As people got in touch to share their […]
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1st May 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Syrian Refugees in Jordan
When people outside Jordan think about the Syrian refugees who have entered the country in the last 2 years, they usually think about the big camp in Za’atri. They have seen it on the news and from the numerous high-profile visitors who have been there. Headlines like “Record Numbers of Syrians Cross to Za’atri” encourage the perception […]
30th April 2013 Washington DC, USA
Bienvenido a Miami!
Welcome to Miami! There aren’t many other US cities I could see myself living in. I was fortunate to land my job here in DC, New York would have been great – in my twenties, Chicago and Boston are too cold for me and although I love the West Coast, it feels very far from […]
30th April 2013 Washington DC, USA
Talking Somalia in Mogadishu, London and… Columbus, Ohio
Last week I went to Columbus to talk to representatives of the 50,000 or so Somali diaspora community living in Ohio. It was hosted at a community learning centre set up to help Somali youths succeed in school. It seems to be working as I was told growing numbers are going to university. I set […]
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30th April 2013 London, UK
Dawn Ceremony for ANZAC Day 2013
I never used to be a “morning person”. At university, I could stay up until dawn (studying!), but then I had to sleep for 24 hours. Here in Brunei my body clock has changed completely. I need to get the boys to school by 0720. So I set my alarm for 0600. But I am […]
30th April 2013 Beijing, China
Tweeting about British culture
Digital diplomacy is undoubtedly an increasingly important aspect of public diplomacy and its popularity is growing fast. It helps us understand our audience better, talk to them directly and make an impact in a more efficient and cost-effective way. Besides relevant topics about our country objectives – foreign policy, economics, trade, climate change and the […]
29th April 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Holy See: Point of Fruitful Encounter
As an Embassy, we very often receive visits from individuals or delegations from Britain who are coming to the Holy See, or passing through Rome, and whose work is relevant to our own global priorities. One of the pleasures of being ambassador here is the sheer variety of such encounters, reflecting the extensive waterfront that […]
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