British diplomat. Ideas and advice on working across cultures, languages, and ways of thinking. Personal views not necessarily those of government.
London
Joined February 2012
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Protection of the weak depends on the rule of law.
* government accountable
* courts independent
* freedoms safeguarded
Pre-pandemic authoritarian trends are continuing.
NEW FINDING: #RuleofLaw has declined globally for the 5th year in a row.
The 2022 WJP #RuleofLawIndex is out now.
worldjusticeproject.org/rule…
Dr Antony Stokes LVO OBE retweeted
In 1920, the body of an unidentified soldier was returned from France's battlefields to be buried in Westminster Abbey
But how did a single rose that accompanied the Unknown Warrior come to hold special significance for one family?
@I_W_M | #LestWeForget
The UN’s climate conference opened today in Egypt.
I am proud to have served as British Ambassador for Climate at the 2015 Conference.
We need to get on track. The impact of the agreement we reached in Paris depends on greater technological, political & diplomatic ambition now.
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What happens to diplomats when there’s a new Prime Minister?
We civil servants serve you all (if you’re British). We are not tied to any leader or political group. Fortunately for me we never stand for election.
The Foreign Office (FCDO) supports whichever PM is in place. 🧵
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Shortly after, a successor is giving us a motivational speech.
The ambassadors logging in are pondering what the ministers might be like to work with, and any new policy ideas.
But our international relationships and foreign policy priorities have continuity and direction.
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> Stop worrying about stereotypes.
> Get up, get out there and go for it.
The words of Britain’s 1st female black Ambassador @NneNneUK + 1st male black Ambassador Lord Boateng.
Your ethnicity, sex orientation, gender or poorer background don’t disqualify you from 🇬🇧 diplomacy.
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Good morning. LinkedIn has suspended my personal account.
So here on Twitter I will be posting more ideas, anecdotes and advice on diplomacy and working across differences of culture, politics & ideology. Respectful comments and opinions always welcome.
If you follow my personal LinkedIn posts on diplomacy: I am sorry that my account there has been suspended. The LinkedIn case officer has told me that the issue may require “additional research”.
Thank you to all who have sent messages.🙏
In Westminster Cathedral lie the remains of Sir John Southworth, minister to London’s dying during the plague years, tortured and executed there in 1654.
All Saints’ Day is a profound reminder to stand up for the principles you believe in, even at personal cost to yourself. 💜
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My heart is with the victims of the horrific incident this evening in my old home city Seoul. All my thoughts are with them, and their families and friends. 🙏💔
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Hats off to my talented colleagues who have worked on the Ukraine/Russia crisis response in London, and in missions around the world. Those suffering from that catastrophe deserve all our efforts.
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Interested in a career in diplomacy?
Life as a diplomat comes with painful drawbacks. But benefits and privileges are exceptional. I have been fortunate.
Some comments on pros and cons of working in diplomacy, to follow later.
Here in London there is no shortage of difficult news. But it is not hard to find blessings for which to feel grateful.
🙏 🇬🇧
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Distressing to see 🇨🇺 news. #Ian damaged/destroyed 37,000 houses. I hope hospitals, airports operate.
Into a 4th day, Pinar del Rio & 40% of Havana amongst areas without power.
For 2 nights now, no internet. I can only imagine how frightening that must feel, in the dark. 🙏🇨🇺
My thoughts are with all in Cuba facing the impact of #hurricaneIan, now Category 3, which made landfall at La Coloma a few minutes ago.🙏🇨🇺
Mis pensamientos están con todxs en Cuba que enfrenten el impacto del huracán #Ian, que tocó tierra en La Coloma ya como categoria 3.🙏🇨🇺
Centro del huracán #Ian toca tierra en La Coloma, más intenso, con vientos máximos sostenidos de 205 km/h.
Paying respects at the gates of Buckingham Palace, I recalled my trepidation when I first met Her Majesty 26 years earlier.
At a media reception a few months into a first overseas posting, my job was to introduce her to Thai & British journalists. 1/3
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She made everything easy.
Days later at a brief personal audience I found myself saying how she had impressed me with humility and hard work. Her response was to tell the junior civil servant that he must have worked even harder. 2/3
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