25th April 2024
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
23rd April 2024
Good English – A Key to Panama’s Future Success
21st March 2024
Forests in focus on International Day of Forests
26th October 2012 Vancouver, Canada
Inside out
Only a few weeks ago I settled into my new office at the UK Consulate General. In addition to the usual desk, chair, IT and telephony, it’s home to a struggling Yucca that I will doubtless see to a drawn-out dehydrated death, a framed painting of Her Majesty the Queen, and a corner window overlooking […]
26th October 2012 Dublin, Ireland
Britain and Poland in the EU
Our Minister for Europe David Lidington was in town this week for discussions with Polish Ministers, commentators and representatives of British business. It was an excellent opportunity to challenge some of the assertions in the local media regarding the UK’s disengagement from the EU and our attitude towards Structural and Cohesion Funds for Poland. On […]
25th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Darfur
Last week I visited El Fasher with my Ambassadorial colleagues from the European Union. It was my second visit to Darfur since I arrived in Sudan nearly three months ago: I visited Nyala a few weeks ago in the same period staff from this embassy visited all of the 5 state capitals. Why the focus […]
25th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Creating Future Leaders
“Knowledge is power” might be a perfect motto for the “Chevening” scholarships that the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers every year to outstanding scholars around the world. We use these to help many people with leadership potential build their personal leadership capacity and understand the issues faced by many leaders today. Next year will […]
25th October 2012 Warsaw, Poland
10 things you need to know about Emerging Europe
We’re about to start the biggest ever UK roadshow promoting great business opportunity in Emerging Europe. We’re getting really excited. Emerging market opportunity bang on the UK’s doorstep. At some stage before the end of November we will have been within an hour of most businesses in the UK. We really want you to hear […]
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25th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The Fraternity of Firefighters
Across Europe, from Romania to the UK – more specifically from Sighisoara to Shropshire – there is a fraternity between the fire services of our different countries. On Saturday I was privileged to attend a ceremony to hand over three fire engines donated by the people of Shropshire for use in Mures and Brasov counties […]
24th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Together against the Death Penalty
The UN General Assembly is currently discussing the terms of a resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on the death penalty. It is likely to go to a vote next month. The last time there was such a vote (in 2010), 109 states were in favour, 41 against, and 35 abstained. The United Kingdom and […]
24th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Measuring Wellbeing – OECD & Indian government host World Forum
Dr O’Dell fell down a well, And broke his collarbone. But doctors should attend the sick, And leave the well alone. (Indian-born) Spike Milligan I was in Delhi last week for the “World Forum on Measuring Progress and Wellbeing” organised by the OECD and the Indian Government. Participants included Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Joe Stiglitz, Jeffrey Sachs, Richard […]
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24th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The Future of Europe – for Romania
The Foreign Secretary gave a speech yesterday setting out his vision for the future of Europe. Let me just highlight three points which I think are particularly relevant here in Romania. Firstly, William Hague highlights the power of EU enlargement in entrenching democracy and the rule of law in Europe after the Cold War. And […]
24th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Be proud! Take your rubbish home!
Last week saw a campaign in Amman to clean up the streets. Teams of volunteers brushed and swept to remove tons of rubbish. What a great campaign! But… what about the rest of Jordan? Visitors always rave about the beauty of the country. And justifiably so: there are amazing places to see and experiences to […]