9th December 2025
Why We Need Data, Courage, and Community
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
2nd December 2025
In cybersecurity, there are no limits – only new voices ready to lead
14th October 2025
Lost and Found (but mostly lost)
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 […]
31st January 2017 Vienna, Austria
Things from Vienna? Or Viennese things?
The clock is slightly fake. Its large face, with a hint of what I believe may be 1930s or 1950s design, displays not only hour, minute and second hands, but also – mostly – the correct time. Take it off the wall, however, and you will see that the original electric mechanism has been replaced […]
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31st January 2017 Geneva, Switzerland
The World’s Doctor
At the end of May the nations of the world will meet in Geneva to elect the next Director General of the World Health Organisation. It is no exaggeration to say that the fate of millions rests on the decision. That is why the United Kingdom is supporting the candidacy of Dr David Nabarro. The […]
30th January 2017 Tripoli, Libya
Geography Rules the World
“Location, location, location” is a favourite slogan of estate agents. If you’re buying a house or a flat, the location is crucial. Is it close to shops, transport, schools? Is it quiet and peaceful? And who are the neighbours? Location is equally important in international politics. Geography defines the nation. If there are mountains, invasion […]
30th January 2017 London, UK
Bringing the very best of both opera and ballet to an international audience
The Royal Opera House, home to two of the world’s great artistic companies – The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet – thrives, indeed depends, on the international. With almost 20 nationalities represented within The Royal Ballet, many international guest artists performing with The Royal Opera each Season, and nine nationalities represented within the world […]
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27th January 2017 London, UK
Happy New Year of the Rooster!
Chinese New Year is one of the biggest celebrations in the world. There are twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, starting with the Rat, including the highly auspicious Dragon and finishing with the Pig. I’m an Ox, which next comes around in early 2021. Here in Beijing, in the last few weeks, red lanterns have […]
26th January 2017 Skopje, North Macedonia
#Macedonia2027: Your feedback matters
Last week I asked where you would like Macedonia to be in 2027. I illustrated the question with a vision of a country moving strongly forward. A successful European state, ahead of the pack in the Balkans, leading by example. Name issue resolved. In NATO. Negotiating with the EU. Of course, in an exercise like […]
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26th January 2017 Science Innovation USA
The Future of Farming: How to Feed the Planet
The global population is expected to increase by 38% in 2050 from 6.9 billion in 2010 to 9.6 billion in 2050. With our increasing detriment to the environment and a changing climate, this alarming statistic begs the question: how will we feed everyone? Plant phenomics, an emerging science that studies how a crop’s traits change […]
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25th January 2017 London, UK
Macsween and Burns Night
James Macsween, Managing Director at Macsween, tells us about the importance of haggis to Burns and how Macsween has benefited from it. January 25th is one of Scotland’s most celebrated dates and an annual tribute to our National Bard. When Scottish writer, Robert Burns wrote his poem ‘Address to a Haggis’, he could never have […]
25th January 2017 Holy See
BRITAIN AND THE HOLY SEE: THE YEAR AHEAD
January is traditionally a time for New Year’s resolutions and for planning ahead, so it seems a good moment to look at what the year may have in store for the UK and the Holy See. My starting point is Pope Francis’s address to the diplomatic corps, in which he set out how he sees […]
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