2nd December 2025
In cybersecurity, there are no limits – only new voices ready to lead
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
14th October 2025
Lost and Found (but mostly lost)
13th October 2025
UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls: September visits to Sarajevo and New York
6th February 2017 London, UKSkopje, North Macedonia
Five Thoughts on Diplomatic Tweeting in Macedonia
Like all British Ambassadors, I was encouraged (slight diplomatic euphemism) by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to get active on Twitter when I came to Skopje. TBH, as twitterati say, I had anyway been thinking of jumping in to the frenzied waters of social media. So I readily bought the FCO’s argument that it was […]
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6th February 2017 London, UK
Why the UK is first for film and TV production
I head up the British Film Commission – the organisation charged with bringing major productions to the UK and supporting them while they’re here – and we are quite simply one of the best places in the world to make film and TV. But don’t just take my word for it, the figures speak for […]
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3rd February 2017 London, UK
Science knows no borders
On World Cancer day, Polish cancer researcher Dr Aga Gambus tells us about the importance of international collaboration in her research An Italian, a German, a Spanish, a British and a Polish scientist walk into a bar, and have a great time discussing science over a few beers! This is my usual “after work drink” […]
3rd February 2017 London, UK
Cancer research: Together we can achieve so much more
On World Cancer Day, Italian cancer researcher Dr Luca Magnani tells us about how close European collaboration helped bring about a recent discovery. What does it mean being a cancer scientist in 2017? It means having access to incredible technologies. It means working side by side with some of the best scientists alive. It means […]
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3rd February 2017
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Celebrating Scotland in St Petersburg and commemorating links during the Leningrad Siege
Late January is always an important time for Scotland’s cultural relationship with Russia and in particular St Petersburg. Not only do we celebrate the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, but we also welcome friends from the St Petersburg Forum who visit St Petersburg every year for Days of Scotland. Importantly, the Days of […]
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3rd February 2017 Kolkata, India
Playing the game
One of the clearest memories from my youth is of standing on a cricket field in early evening. The sun was relatively low in the sky but still high enough above the trees so as not to cast a shadow. There was a light breeze and the sunlight was reflected off the ground, which appeared […]
3rd February 2017 Singapore
Snips of UK Intellectual Property Office’s continued engagements in South East Asia through the Prosperity Fund
We have been seeing these letters, or symbols, almost everywhere as we go on with our daily lives but there is more to these four letters than being part of the alphabet. Taking on a new role as the IP and Economic Officer for South East Asia helped me understand the meaning of (C) Copyright, […]
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1st February 2017 London, UK
Digital in a crisis: the Gambia
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is always front and centre of the UK government’s response to an overseas crisis. They’re always high pressure events and lives are often on the line. Depending on the scale there’s a whole set of processes and teams that swing into action, all centred around our Crisis Management Department (CMD), […]
1st February 2017 Holy See
Ecumenism in Music
Last week saw the visit of the choir of Westminster Abbey, for a joint concert with the Sistine Chapel Choir. This was a wonderful concert, with the two choirs combining to fill the Basilica of St John Lateran with music from both the Catholic and Anglican traditions: pieces by Giovanni Palestrina showcased the Catholic style, […]
31st January 2017
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The Human Dimension
Human rights and fundamental freedoms are integral to the concept of comprehensive security embodied by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. This year this UK has taken on the role of chairing OSCE Human Dimension Committee. This is one of the main pillars of the organisation. How governments treat their people, and we […]