Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

12th March 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

Ukraine’s 2012 elections: OSCE/ODIHR observers

The atmosphere in the press conference is electric.  TV and video crews cram the aisles.  Finally, the OSCE/ODIHR mission announce that, in their view, the 2010 Ukrainian presidential election has met most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments.  Leaders of the mission talk of “an impressive display of democratic elections” and “a well-administered and truly […]

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12th March 2012

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by Peter Millett

Ambassador to Libya, Tripoli

Education for business

Unemployment has long been high on the agenda of governments all round the world. The biggest challenge is how country can make itself competitive and play to its strengths. Education has a key role in preparing young people for the jobs market. So how can  schools and universities ensure that they are offering the courses and […]

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12th March 2012

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by Greg Dorey

Diplomat

Inspiring internationally

Last week we had head teachers and teachers from 12 UK schools here in Ethiopia to meet partner schools – I met them on Saturday. 30 counterparts from Ethiopian schools will be in the UK on a reciprocal visit at the end of March. This was all within the framework of the International Inspiration Programme […]

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9th March 2012 Washington DC, USA

by Peter Westmacott

Former Ambassador to the United States of America

VIDEO: 2012 – A GREAT Year for the US and UK

Ed. note: This is the first video blog in what will become a more regular feature on the Ambassador’s platform. 2012 is a big year for the UK: Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June; the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London starting in July; and more immediately, the official visit of Prime Minister […]

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8th March 2012

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by Martin Harris

Minister and Deputy Head of Mission to Russia

Romania, country of choice for British investors

Today I opened the new service centre of Stanleybet, one of the most established British investors in Romania and one that is now expanding its operations here. Stanleybet has chosen Romania from the eight countries in which it operates as the location for its service centre, dealing with customers in Italy, Germany and Cyprus. Why? […]

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8th March 2012 USA

Spencer Mahoney

by Spencer Mahony

HM Consul and UKTI Regional Director for the South East United States

Entrepreneurs—the modern gold rush

I had the pleasure of visiting Nicaragua for a short holiday recently. I loved the scenery, friendly people and, unexpectedly, learning about Nicaragua’s role in the California gold rush. Back in the 1850s Nicaragua was a key route for those dashing to the west coast as it was quicker and cheaper to sail from New […]

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8th March 2012 Ottawa, Canada

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by Corin Robertson

Deputy High Commissioner to Canada

In the name of equality

Today is International Women’s Day – a day that has been observed since the early 1900’s – a time that saw great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world, and women’s inequality and oppression was starting to spark debate and active campaigning for change. The day has now become recognised globally – across developed and […]

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