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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
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Good English – A Key to Panama’s Future Success
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4th October 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Changing seasons in Kyiv… and Vienna
When I was posted in Vienna from 1984-7 I enjoyed watching the signs that the seasons were changing. As an autumn chill crept into the air, the Viennese hailed the arrival of the “Russian crows” – big, capable-looking birds which would strut their stuff around the parks and squares of the city for a couple […]
3rd October 2011 New York, USA
The “Monster Month”
With one month to go until the New York City Marathon, I am about to enter what is often called the “Monster Month” – the month that involves the most intense, grueling and critical final weeks of training. It is said that a runner’s efforts during their “Monster Month” can make or break their success […]
3rd October 2011 New York, USA
The "Monster Month"
With one month to go until the New York City Marathon, I am about to enter what is often called the “Monster Month” – the month that involves the most intense, grueling and critical final weeks of training. It is said that a runner’s efforts during their “Monster Month” can make or break their success […]
3rd October 2011 Geneva, Switzerland
Cheap Seats, Backsliding and Cuban Democracy
As the September session of the Human Rights Council drew to a close on Friday, there were some glum faces around, especially amongst the NGOs. The NGOs provide a much needed reality check to the rest of us and I think it’s a fair criticism that civil servants are often all too ready to point […]
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3rd October 2011 Windhoek, Namibia
Of bovine beauty and unseasonable weather in Namibia
Being the head of a small diplomatic mission means I get to do an infinite variety of work each week. Never more so than today, when I had to award a prize for a cow. Not just any cow, but the most productive cow in Namibia. For this week is the Windhoek Industrial and Agricultural […]
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3rd October 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
First ever British Business Groups’ national meet- ‘cautiously optimistic’
For the first time in living memory, and presumably ever, the British Business Groups (BBGs) around India held a national conference on 23-24 September 2011. Over 150 delegates took part, largely representing the BBGs in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Goa and Chennai. It is difficult to summarise the conclusions of such a large group, but […]
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30th September 2011 Ottawa, Canada
Strengthening UK-Canada links
We were lucky last week to have David Cameron in Ottawa. He flew in from New York, where he was speaking to the General Assembly, to a whirlwind programme here. First, he laid a wreath at the War Memorial, in a solemn ceremony of remembrance, to mark British appreciation for Canadian service and sacrifice in […]
30th September 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The UK, EU enlargement and Ukraine
The UK Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, made an important speech during the Eastern Partnership in Warsaw on 29 September. Key sections include: “It is in the EU’s clear interests to offer meaningful integration to [our Eastern] neighbours, including through full EU membership, where the criteria are rigorously met… So the UK is clear: ‘no’ […]
30th September 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Common Values in Foreign Policy
On 27 September, the Holy See Foreign Minister, Archbishop Mamberti, addressed the UN General Assembly in a wide ranging speech on current international issues or, as he put it – reminding us diplomats why we engage in international diplomacy – “the principal questions that concern humanity in the search for a better future for all”. […]
29th September 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Women’s equality
I was surprised and very touched to be presented today with a annual Prize for an Outstanding Contribution to the Cause of Women’s Equality by the Association for Women’s Career Development in Hungary. The prize is given to those who the Association sees as most actively promoting the issue of gender equality. Because I was […]