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19th September 2012 Budapest, Hungary
A weekend of firsts at the British Embassy in Budapest
Guest blog by Ian Saunders, visiting British diplomat Last Saturday and Sunday the Embassy participated in the European Heritage Days programme in Hungary for the first time. This cultural initiative allowed the public to see inside the British Embassy and savour its interesting and historical interior. On show were the main entrance, a view of […]
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19th September 2012 Dublin, Ireland
A great day for British-Polish relations
I am delighted to announce that Foreign Secretary William Hague and Defence Minister Philip Hammond are visiting Warsaw today. This is the latest high level visit by UK Ministers to Poland. They will discuss a range of issues with Foreign Minister Sikorski and Defence Minister Siemoniak. These will include the Future of Europe and the […]
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19th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A busy week in Parliament
Canberra is “a game of two halves” as the football (soccer) commentators put it. For about 20 weeks a year, the parliamentarians descend on it from all across this vast continent, in a whirl of activity. The rest of time it is somewhat quieter. With Parliament sitting last week, I was up there twice speaking […]
18th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
What about the Fish and Chips?! And pass me the Whisky
I was told last week that Guatemalans don’t like British food. Apparently they are not used to the taste. I can’t believe it. Who could possibly not love a fabulous roast beef dinner, with a Yorkshire pudding (if properly done). And I have never met anyone who doesn’t like fish and chips. All of us […]
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18th September 2012 Lima, Peru
Calling all future leaders
by Louise Nicol, Chevening Officer Eduardo Chorocco and Mariana Alegre, Peru’s 2012/13 Chevening Scholars will be heading to the UK this week for what promises to be a once in a lifetime experience. Both shared their expectations with me at a farewell lunch at the Ambassador’s Residence last Friday: “To have been selected gives me […]
17th September 2012 Ottawa, Canada
Battle of Britain Day
I attended the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Britain at Ottawa’s Aviation Museum on 16 September, under flawless blue skies – a bit like during the Battle itself – and in the presence of the Chief of Air Staff, veterans, cadets and members on parade of the Royal Canadian Air Force. I said the […]
17th September 2012 Dublin, Ireland
Superhumans are back home
I am just back from leave and want to congratulate Poland’s magnificent paralympians on their fantastic achievement in winning 36 medals, including 14 golds. Just like the Team GB, the team exceeded expectations. I know that the London atmosphere of packed stadia full of passionate sports fans brought the very best out of every member of the […]
17th September 2012 Washington DC, USA
Dropping a Bombshell: An inside look at being a British fashion designer
To mark London Fashion Week we have a special guest post from London fashion designer Katya Wildman. It’s an exciting time to be a fashion designer in the UK, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have put the spotlight on the UK and specifically London. With London Fashion Week kicking off just days after the capital was […]
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17th September 2012 Geneva, Switzerland
Sleepless nights, slavery and skateboarding
I hope you had a good rest over the summer. Judging by the hectic pace of the first week of the September Human Rights Council, you’re going to need it. Unfortunately my own plans for a final restorative weekend before the Council began didn’t quite work out. Anyone who’s lived here for a while will […]
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17th September 2012 New Delhi, India
Together we are stronger
The Science and Innovation Network in India travelled all over the country last week for the first part of the EU Science and Technology awareness campaign. We started with a busy day last Monday (10th September). Tom Wells, Deputy Head of the team, was presenting in Chennai. He was joined by Vimal Subramanian and Sam Kumar of the […]