Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

12th December 2017 London, UK

Avatar photo

by Nick Bridge

Special Representative for Climate Change

One Planet and our climate diplomacy

Today the Prime Minister joined President Macron and other world leaders at One Planet Summit in Paris. The summit arose from recognition that we are way off-track in tackling climate change. But it also came from a more positive sense that the economics have shifted decisively in favour of a global low carbon transition in recent months. […]

Read more on One Planet and our climate diplomacy | Reply (1)

8th December 2017 London, UK

Mervyn Thomas

Mervyn Thomas

Chief Executive, Christian Solidarity Worldwide

Faith Actors Can Play a Positive Role in Defending Human Rights. They Need Support.

Candles

The right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is often misunderstood and dismissed as special pleading by the religious, when in reality, in its fullest form, it protects the right of all people to live their lives according to their deepest convictions, whether or not they have a religion or belief. It must be […]

Read more on Faith Actors Can Play a Positive Role in Defending Human Rights. They Need Support. | Reply (1)

6th December 2017 Beijing, China

Nina Hartley

Nina Hartley

Senior Project Manager, CSSP China, Met Office.

Science exchanges foster collaboration and understanding

Collaboration is part of the ethos of the Met Office and a fundamental component of the Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP) programme, supported by the UK Government’s Newton Fund. A core part of the WCSSP programme is the Climate Science for Service Partnership China (CSSP China) – a scientific research programme that […]

Read more on Science exchanges foster collaboration and understanding | Reply

6th December 2017 Vienna, Austria

Avatar photo

by Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

What does an Ambassador do?

People often ask me what exactly an Ambassador does.  I did a video blog about this earlier this year. As I noted then, I represent the UK and its interests in Austria, including at some of the international institutions based in Vienna; engage in debate around issues of Austrian and UK interest; build relationships; and […]

Read more on What does an Ambassador do? | Reply (1)

6th December 2017 Tokyo, Japan

Avatar photo

by Paul Madden

British Ambassador to Japan

Nagoya means business

Chubu, the region centred on Nagoya, may be only Japan’s third conurbation. But if it was a country it would be a member of G20. And Greater Nagoya, an industrial powerhouse, produces 1% of the entire world’s GDP. So, not surprisingly, business was a big focus of my recent visit, together with Sarah Wooton, our […]

Read more on Nagoya means business | Reply

6th December 2017 Holy See

Sr. Patricia Ebegbulem, SSL

Sr. Patricia Ebegbulem, SSL

African Coordinator of ANHAT & Talitha Kum

The fight to end human trafficking: Nigerian women religious’ perspective

To mark the UN-led 16 Days of Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls, the British Embassy to the Holy See is delighted to introduce you to Sr. Patricia Ebegbulem, whose network of religious sisters in Nigeria is trying to make a reality of the UN’s theme “Leave no-one behind” for modern slavery victims […]

Read more on The fight to end human trafficking: Nigerian women religious’ perspective | Reply (1)

4th December 2017 Vienna, Austria

Avatar photo

by Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

#ViennaMemories #4: Ernst Haas: prisoners of war

During my first posting to Vienna 1984-87, as now, I used to admire the number of fascinating exhibitions in the city. Occasionally, I would be so impressed that I bought a souvenir. One such souvenir was this poster advertising an exhibition of the works of the famous Austrian photographer Ernst Haas, from October 1986. He […]

Read more on #ViennaMemories #4: Ernst Haas: prisoners of war | Reply

2nd December 2017 Beirut, Lebanon

Avatar photo

by Hugo Shorter

British Ambassador to Lebanon

Lebanon, The Message

UK Ambassador to Lebanon

This week I was invited to speak at a conference entitled: ‘From the State of Greater Lebanon to Lebanon the Message’ organised by Adyan Foundation. I was asked to share my thoughts about Lebanon; its place in the region; the past and the lessons we can take from it; and together how we can deal […]

Read more on Lebanon, The Message | Reply

1st December 2017 Tripoli, Libya

Avatar photo

by Peter Millett

Ambassador to Libya, Tripoli

The Weapon of Education

Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Weapon against what?   Multiple enemies: ignorance, lack of opportunity, poverty. A poor education system will produce people who lack the skills that employers are looking for. So they will fail to find jobs and will be unable to […]

Read more on The Weapon of Education | Reply