British week 2013 – we will rock you Guatemala! The unofficial anthem of the London Olympics became our unofficial anthem for British Week 2013. As we proved that music is Great Britain by showcasing some of the best of British music via a Queen tribute band and a charity dinner with everything from Rolling Stones to Coldplay. But regular readers will know that British Week is so much more then … Read more »British Week 2013 – we will rock you Guatemala!
Listening to the voices of women (and men)
I have spent the past few days talking about women. In some ways it feels unfortunate to still be talking about women’s role in society in the 21st century but we shouldn’t underestimate the challenges that remain in all countries to achieve gender equality and respect between the sexes. What was interesting about the meetings I have had recently is that the debate wasn’t around men and women in a … Read more »Listening to the voices of women (and men)
British Week 2013: get involved!
British Week is back! It’ll be our 4th and most ambitious yet, and will be held between Sunday 26 February and Saturday 2 March. As in previous years the Week will feature our two main social events of our calendar, the Queen’s Birthday Party (on Thursday 28 February), and the British Ball (on Saturday 2 March – if you have any ideas for the theme then let us know). But … Read more »British Week 2013: get involved!
Reflections from our visit to the Falkland Islands and next steps
This is a guest blog from Eduardo Smith, our Political Officer, and Bruce Callow from our Embassy in Costa Rica, about their recent visit with Central American journalists to the Falkland Islands. We are now back in our home countries after an exhausting 24 hour journey from the Falklands. Our group split up in Panama to catch our final flights home. As we sleepily said goodbye we felt a great … Read more »Reflections from our visit to the Falkland Islands and next steps
Falkland Islands: Sports, songs and farewells
Over the last two days our group has had a chance to learn something about the cultural and sports scenes on the Islands. A wide variety of sports are played here including cricket, badminton, archery, golf and ball hockey. Governor Nigel Haywood explained that the development of sports in the Falkland Islands is very important for building community, promoting physical fitness as well as projecting the Islands internationally. Athletes from … Read more »Falkland Islands: Sports, songs and farewells
Referendum 2013: the islander’s message to the world
May I welcome our guest bloggers for this week: Bruce Callow, Communications Officer at the British Embassy in Costa Rica, who along with Eduardo Smith, Political Officer at the British Embassy in Guatemala, are in the Falkland Islands with a group Central American journalists (including Luis Velasquez of Guatemala’s Prensa Libre) where they have traveled to experience the life on the islands, their customs and most importantly, their right to … Read more »Referendum 2013: the islander’s message to the world
Guatemala at the United Nations
October is an historic month for Guatemala. For the first time ever, it is presiding over the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Guatemala is currently a non-permanent member of the UNSC, and will be until the end of 2013. It’s one of 15 members, ten non-permanent and five permanent members, including the UK, who discuss international peace and security. The presidency of the UNSC is held by each of the … Read more »Guatemala at the United Nations
Arriving in the Falkland Islands
May I welcome our guest blogger for this week: Bruce Callow, Communications Officer at the British Embassy in Costa Rica, who along with Edward Smith, Political Officer at the British Embassy in Guatemala, are in the Falkland Islands with a group Central American journalists (including Luis Velasquez of Guatemala’s Prensa Libre) where they have traveled to experience the life on the islands, their customs and most importantly, their right to … Read more »Arriving in the Falkland Islands
The Death Penalty: the case for abilition in Guatemala
Many people in Guatemala have been reflecting on the value of life this week, following the incident on 4 October in Totonicapán (western Guatemala) when eight protestors were killed following clashes with security forces. It’s a theme that also resonated on 10 October, World Day against the Death Penalty. The death penalty is an emotive issue in Guatemala. Having put on our facebook page a statement to mark the Day … Read more »The Death Penalty: the case for abilition in Guatemala
Finding the balance in our trade relations
I spent last week in Honduras mostly talking with companies, industry organisations, international financial institutions and government officials about the UK’s economic and commercial relationship. San Pedro Sula in particular is a real hub for employment and wealth generation in the country contributing to over 60% of GDP. There and in Tegucigalpa British companies and others told me that Honduras is an amazing place with real business opportunities but it … Read more »Finding the balance in our trade relations