Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

26th April 2012 Guatemala City, Guatemala

by David McNaught

Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy, Guatemala

Earth week: let’s clean up these streets!

We’re very proud of our green credentials, and the Embassy’s “Green Team” has been at it again, this time supporting a campaign to help keep Guatemala clean. To tell you more about it are two members of the team, Farah and Carmen. Over to you guest bloggers….. My name is Farah Moran and I am […]

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26th April 2012 Ottawa, Canada

World IP Day – A Canada/UK Perspective

A guest blog in honour of World Intellectual Property Day by the British High Commission’s Trade and Economic Advisor Mark Agnew: April 26 marks World Intellectual Property Day, and a chance to recognize the importance of IP in fostering innovation and growth. Although not particularly a dinner table subject of discussion, intellectual property and the […]

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26th April 2012 Athens, Greece

Aspa Giannopoulou

by Aspa Giannopoulou

Digital Diplomacy Officer

A sound mind in a sound body

‘A sound mind in a sound body’ is the English translation of a famous quotation by the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Thales (Miletus, 624 – 546 BC), demonstrating the close links between physical exercise, mental equilibrium and the ability to enjoy life. I had the opportunity to get involved in the organisation of two exciting sport […]

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26th April 2012

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by Greg Dorey

Diplomat

Ethiopia: women matter

Guest blog by Lynne Featherstone MP My name is Lynne Featherstone MP. I am the Minister for Equality and Criminal Information, and I am a senior member of the British Government responsible for promoting gender empowerment and equality. I am also the British Government’s champion for protecting women from violence, both in the UK and […]

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26th April 2012

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by Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Sikhs honoured by Catholics

Birmingham sits at the heart of England. It was the home of Cardinal Newman for many years. And it is also the home of many different faith communities, one of Britain’s most racially and religiously  diverse cities. Inter-religious dialogue is therefore a crucial aspect of Birmingham’s civic, social, cultural and political existence. One of the […]

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25th April 2012

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by Paul Madden

British Ambassador to Japan

Remembering the ANZACs

Up at 4.30am. And it’s my birthday. But I would not want to miss the privilege of attending ANZAC Day, Australia’s national day of commemoration for those who have sacrificed their lives serving Australia, in many conflicts over the years since the Gallipoli landings began 97 year ago today. The Australian War Memorial is one […]

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25th April 2012 London, UK

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by David Lidington

Minister for Europe, London

What has been the effect of EU sanctions on Burma?

On Monday EU Foreign Ministers decided to suspend all EU sanctions against Burma, apart from the arms embargo. This extraordinary decision is very welcome. The British Government has worked tirelessly to build a solid and coherent EU foreign policy towards Burma. We believe that when a nation, like Burma, reacts to international pressure and begins […]

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25th April 2012 Ottawa, Canada

Spaceship Earth

A guest blog posting in honour of Earth Day (April 22nd), from our British High Commission Ottawa, Climate and Prosperity Advisor, Adrienne Yuen: “There are no passengers on spaceship Earth. We are all crew.” – Herbert “Marshall” McLuhan This past Sunday marked the world’s 42nd Earth Day. It’s a great way to refocus our attention […]

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24th April 2012 Ottawa, Canada

Climate and resource security

Guest blog from Head of Global Issues Group Euan Wallace: Last month I found myself at Lancaster House attending an Foreign Office/Wilton Park Conference: “A climate and resource security dialogue for the 21st Century.” The conference had been many months in the planning and I was lucky to get a place alongside a few other […]

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24th April 2012 Washington DC, USA

Hetty Crist

by Hetty Crist

Deputy Press Secretary

Art Imitating Science

The following is a guest blog from Bradley Keelor. Brad is a Senior Science and Innovation Policy Advisor at the British Embassy in Washington. It was recently World Creativity and Innovation Week. This was started by a Canadian anthropologist in 2001 as a way to commemorate the birthday of Leonardo Da Vinci and generally celebrate […]

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