Global conversations
November 25 was International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It marked the start of a 16-day period of Days of Action leading up to International Human Rights Day on 10 December. We should use this period to reflect on how widespread violence against women is, and the effects it has, not just on the victims themselves, but on the whole communities in which they live. Violence against … Read more »International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Last week marked the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the EU’s Single Market. It’s been around for so long that it’s easy to take it for granted, to assume that it’s a completed project. There may even be a temptation to think that it’s an old story, not relevant to the EU’s dilemmas in 2012. But I attended two events during the week that showed just how much there … Read more »Celebrating 20 Years of the Single Market
Two very different hot Cypriot summer evenings this month have illustrated the variety in what the High Commission does here. First, I was present at the opening ceremony for Cyprus’ EU Presidency, held in the Roman theatre at Curium. It was a moment worth holding your breath for: the culmination of so many years’ work by so many people to bring Cyprus to the starting gate of its six months … Read more »Hot Summer Nights
A visit from the Lord Mayor of London is something a bit special. In effect, he represents the whole weight of the City of London, one of the world’s biggest financial centres. He makes it a practice to visit any country about to take on the EU Presidency, to explain the City’s perspective on whatever issues related to financial services the EU is currently discussing. So he was in Cyprus … Read more »The City to Cyprus
There seemed to be hundreds of people in Athalassa Park on Saturday morning, all coming to lend their support to the Sport Relief Mile: a joint effort by the Red Cross, the Nicosia Cycling Club and the High Commission that raised 3200 Euros to help disadvantaged children and other Red Cross projects. I was proud to see so many of the High Commission staff there, joining in with such energy. … Read more »Going the extra mile