11th May 2026
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill: turning a global ocean agreement into UK law
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
9th April 2026
The Gulf, Berlin and the Commission on the Status of Women: building global alliances to advance women’s progress
26th February 2026
Different Memories, Shared Futures: Why Inclusive Remembrance Matters for Serbia and the Region
6th August 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Isolationist? Moi?
I read an article last week by a French philosopher and economist drawing a parallel between Britain and Japan as “Islands of Isolation.” His theme was that both countries remain inward- looking and preoccupied with the disintegration of their original culture. I can’t speak for Japan, but anyone who watched the magnificent opening ceremony of […]
6th August 2012 Yerevan, Armenia
All Change at Yerevan Zoo
The following is guest blog Gareth Wynn-Owen, Deputy Ambassador in Yerevan. Although I have been in Yerevan for nearly three years, I am still discovering fascinating corners of the city. Over the weekend, my wife Molly and our 16-month daughter Alicia visited the Yerevan Zoo. It was absolutely scorching as we chugged along in chaotic […]
3rd August 2012 Lima, Peru
Beggars… can be choosers!!
By Annabella Matute, Chevening scholar For weeks until now I had been feeling like the Peruvian female version of David Beckham. Yes, despite my passion for sports and my increasing enthusiasm for the Olympics I was being left out of the biggest event in town: London 2012. If I have to be fair, my exclusion […]
3rd August 2012 New York, USA
Open for Sport, and Open for Business
The Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games was the proudest moment in recent memory for any Brit, and I was pleased to watch it unfold with my colleagues at the Consulate here in New York. I was in awe of what, to me, was a terrific start to the greatest show on earth. The Olympics, with […]
3rd August 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
How are you feeling?
In November 2010, UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced that the government was asking the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to devise a new way of measuring well-being: “we’ll start measuring our progress as a country, not just by how our economy is growing, but by how our lives are improving.” Between April 2011 and March 2012, 165,000 UK adults aged 16 and over answered four ONS questions:
3rd August 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Girl learning journey
And what might that be? Well, here it’s an opportunity to experience a journey that reflects a typical day in the life of an Ethiopian girl and discover more about her community and hopefully encouraging her at the same time. Organised by the Girl Hub Ethiopia, which is part-funded by the UK Department for International […]
2nd August 2012 Lima, Peru
The magic of the Olympic Games in Lima
by Lucía Vásquez – Communication Section – British Embassy After years of preparation, thousands of athletes, sports fans and spectators all over the world witnessed the opening of the Olympic Games London 2012. The great spectacle –masterminded by movie director Danny Boyle – was based on the social and economic transformation of theUK, from the […]
2nd August 2012 Nairobi, Kenya
Celebrating Somali Olympic heroes
The following is a guest blog by Fionna Gibb, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Office for Somalia. As Ambassador Matt Baugh is on leave, last Friday I had the pleasure of hosting the British Office for Somalia’s reception in Mogadishu to celebrate the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. As the sun set […]
2nd August 2012 London, UK
Olympic Spirit in the Heart of Borneo
Ask any British diplomat what makes them tick, and the answer often has three parts: something to do with “Queen and Country”, something to do with “making a difference”, and something to do with the intrinsic interest of “getting under the skin of another culture”. My plate, during this Olympic year, has contained large helpings […]
1st August 2012 Harare, Zimbabwe
Reflections from the former Head of the PRT’s Socio-Economic Development Team
I have invited members of the PRT to use my blog to talk about their work and experiences in Helmand. Anna Morris the former Head of the PRT’s Socio-Economic Development Team has kindly written about her time here. As I approach the end of my 16 months in Helmand questions from colleagues, friends and family […]
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