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15th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Voting for Democracy
Happy Democracy Day! Since 2007, 15 September is International Day of Democracy. Democracy has been around for over 2,500 years. From its origins in ancient Greece, it has become a political ideal and goal for most countries in the World. In recent years it has been the the political system of choice for many post-conflict […]
14th September 2012 Athens, Greece
Democracy and Education in a time of crisis
During the last years Greece has become a host country for many labor migrants. The education policy concerning the children of those migrant families has however still room for development. As the legitimacy status for many immigrant families remains uncertain or unclear due to delays in completing applications for residence permits, the children’s inclusion in […]
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13th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Celebrating the independence of Central America
This week on 15 September all of the countries of Central America celebrate independence day. There are flags everywhere and it seems to me to be a moment when people express national pride, celebrate success and remember how important it is to be able to control your own destiny as a nation. This week will […]
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13th September 2012 Windhoek, Namibia
Triumphant Paralympic home-coming to Namibia
I spent this morning with Grade One pupils at Moses Garoeb School in Katatura today for the last of my Olympic outreach activities following the closure of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was a wonderful way to mark what has been a fun-filled programme of events that have enabled me to interact […]
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13th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Education for Democracy
The UN International Day of Democracy falls on 15 September, a day on which Governments are encouraged to strengthen national programmes devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy. The theme this year is Democracy Education. As the relevant UN web-page notes: “It is only with educated citizens that a sustainable culture of democracy can […]
13th September 2012 New Delhi, India
S&I India gets creative
On 25 September the Science and Innovation Network in India are holding an event in a brand new sector. We are expanding into the creative economy and this month are aiming to build links between Indian and UK digital media businesses. With expertise in a wide range of areas, the UK exports billions of pounds […]
12th September 2012 London, UK
Steps forward on the crisis in the eurozone
This autumn represents a real challenge to the EU and eurozone to put in place the right measures to ensure a sustainable and long term solution to the eurozone crisis. There have been some really important steps recently in moving towards that solution, such as last week’s announcement of ECB bond buying (or in the […]
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12th September 2012 New York, USA
Applications open for UKTI’s Digital Mission to NYC 2012
The UK’s most innovative digital companies considering expanding to the US market can apply for UKTI’s Digital Mission to NYC 2012 through http://digitalmission2012.eventbrite.com. The delegation will visit New York from 25-30 November, working with experts to develop their company’s international business strategy. UKTI’s Digital Mission offers a unique insight into the digital community in New […]
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12th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Visitors and visions
You can tell the Autumn season has started as an Ambassador when the steady stream of official visitors to Stockholm resumes. Last week I hosted the Head of the UK Civil Service, who was here to see what an Embassy does, not just to support the UK Foreign Office, but to help the work of […]
12th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
When the ambassador is away…
A fellow diplomat in Amman once told me that he loved it when the Ambassador was away, because he didn’t have to do any work. Well, after a busy summer, @PeterMillett1 is now on a well-earned holiday. In his absence, has the British Embassy shut down?