Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

22nd October 2012

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by Sarah Dickson

Ambassador to Guatemala (June 2012 - June 2015)

Falkland Islands: Sports, songs and farewells

Over the last two days our group has had a chance to learn something about the cultural and sports scenes on the Islands. A wide variety of sports are played here including cricket, badminton, archery, golf and ball hockey. Governor Nigel Haywood explained that the development of sports in the Falkland Islands is very important […]

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22nd October 2012

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by Sarah Dickson

Ambassador to Guatemala (June 2012 - June 2015)

Falkland Islands: Sports, songs and farewells

Over the last two days our group has had a chance to learn something about the cultural and sports scenes on the Islands. A wide variety of sports are played here including cricket, badminton, archery, golf and ball hockey. Governor Nigel Haywood explained that the development of sports in the Falkland Islands is very important […]

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22nd October 2012 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

A varied week in the life of an ambassador

The last week has shown the many facets of our bilateral relationship. It began with an excellent seminar on reducing regulation, which we co-hosted with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Economy and the Prime Minister’s office. We exchanged experiences with Polish Ministers and experts and agreed that deregulation and reducing burdens on business […]

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22nd October 2012 Warsaw, Poland

Martin Oxley, Head, UKTI Poland

by Martin Oxley

Director of UKTI Warsaw

Health is Great

There’s lots going on in the healthcare sector. We’re already doing well with two Great British pharmaceutical companies in the leading company rankings – GSK and AstraZeneca. They are well established in Poland and patients are increasingly demanding better healthcare. The market has grown exponentially since 1990 and is now Europe’s 7th biggest market by […]

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22nd October 2012 Cape Town, South Africa

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by Simon Atkinson

Deputy Head of Mission, Cape Town

View from a local staffer

Guestblog by Tatenda Goredema, Communications and Political Officer. I am standing in this month for Simon who has graciously granted me the opportunity to make a one-time guest appearance.  I work at the Consulate as Communications and Political officer. Cape Town is the seat of South Africa’s Parliament and no amount of verbose writing could […]

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22nd October 2012

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by Paul Madden

British Ambassador to Japan

Australia wins seat on UN Security Council

Australia has just been elected to join the UN Security Council for two years from January. This is excellent news. William Hague called Foreign Minister Bob Carr to congratulate him. We look forward to having such a strong partner on the UNSC. This will keep my political team in Canberra busier than ever, coordinating on the […]

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22nd October 2012 New Delhi, India

Are you a future science leader of India?

Now entering its second year the Chevening Rolls-Royce Science and Innovation Leadership Programme (CRISP) is open for applications for the academic year 2013. This 11 week programme aimed at high-flying mid-career scientists and innovators is held at the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. It offers lectures, workshops, debates and meetings with high-profile […]

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19th October 2012

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by Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Palm Trees in Kazakhstan

Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, is not noted for its mild climate.  In fact it is amongst the world’s coldest capitals, with temperatures regularly below minus 30 in the winter. But at the centre of the city a huge atrium houses dozens of palm trees, surrounded by students and professors going about their business. […]

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