February 15, 2010
High Commissioner for Belize, 08.02.10
H.E. KAMELA PALMA
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR BELIZE
HE Kamela Palma, Sir Ron Halstead and Melissa Crawshay-Williams
Education: MA Education and Internal Development, University of London; Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, University of London; BA English (La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA); Certificate in Curriculum Development in the Language Arts – ESL, Michigan State University, USA.
Languages spoken: English (mother tongue), Belizean Creole (mother tongue), Spanish (fluent)
Employment:
November 2008 – Present, High Commissioner of Belize, London
2003 – 2008, Independent consultant – strategic planning for Government of Belize
2004, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Belize, Guatemala
2003 – 2008, Chairperson of National Council on Ageing, Belize
2001 – 2003, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Human Development, Belize
2000 – 2001, Director, Regional Language Centre, University of Belize
2000, Researcher, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, London
1997, Research Assistant, University of Surrey, Guildford
1995 – 1996, Volunteer Researcher for Grants, Princess Royal Trust for Carers, London
1989 – 1995, Lecturer/Course Writer at Farnborough College of Technology, Aldershot, Hampshire
1986 – 1989, Training/Communications Consultant, Causeway Management Consultants Ltd, West Harrow, Middlesex
1985 – 1986, Spanish Teacher at Hong Kong International School
Text of Speech:
Belize’s Foreign Relations and More Specifically, the Belize/Guatemala Territorial Dispute
Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council, February 8th, 2010
Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to have been asked by the Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council to give a talk on the Foreign Relations of Belize with particular emphasis on the border dispute with Guatemala.
Before I start, allow me first of all to convey the greetings of the Government of Belize and to express our gratitude for this opportunity to apprise you of Belize’s Foreign Relations and more specifically, for me to talk about the present state of relations between Belize and the Republic of Guatemala.
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Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 18.01.10
H.E. HOMAYOUN TANDAR
AMBASSADOR OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN
Monday 18th January 2010
Talk by: HE Homayoun Tandar, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Ambassador Tandar spoke of the future of Afghanistan as a free and democratic society where the freedom of press gives people equal voice to all citizens. Freedom of press in Afghanitan is an important achievement and will help in national reconciliation.
The Government of Afghanistan prioritises improvements in education, equal rights for men and women and liberty for all citizens.
Ambassador Tandar would like to see the UK to continue helping and supporting democracy in Afghanistan. He emphasised supporting the Afghan youth as they constitute the majority of Afghanistan. They are a dynamic force that will help build a new future in Afghanistan.
Ambassador Tandar spoke of the sacrifices made by young soldiers which should help progress towards a better future in Afghanistan. The success of this will also depend on NATO winning the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. Ambassador did not feel it would be so difficult to win the war in Afghanistan.
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February 08, 2010
Membership
CONSERVATIVE FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH COUNCIL
Chairman: Sir Ronald Halstead CBE
Deputy Chairman: Mrs Jacqui Lait MP
Vice Chairman: Peter Friedmann : Ian Raitt : Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes DL
Hon Secretary: Mrs Melissa Crawshay-Williams
Hon Treasurer: Dennis R Waters (020 7351 2842)
Patrons: The Rt Hon William Hague MP : The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG, CH : The Rt Hon The Lord Howe of Aberavon QC : The Rt Hon The Baroness Chalker of Wallasey : The Hon The Lord Hurd of Westwell CH, CBE
President : The Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG QC MP
Vice President : Sir Colin Turner CBE DFC: Mrs Beryl Pendley
Posted by jackie at 06:37 PM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2010
Events
2010
JULY - Special Dinner with The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH
JUNE - Summer Diplomatic Party
MONDAY 8 MARCH - Carl Thomson "Ukraine before and after the Orange Revolution"
MONDAY 8 FEBRUARY - High Commissioner for Belize
MONDAY 18 JANUARY - Ambassador of Afghanistan
Posted by melissa at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)
December 11, 2009
Ambassador of Albania, 07.12.09
Presentation by
H.E. Zef Mazi, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the UK
“Albania’s Foreign and Security Policy, NATO and the EU”
.JPG)
Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council
House of Commons, London, 7 December 2009
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very pleased to have been asked by the Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council to make a presentation on Albania’s foreign and security perceptions and policy, NATO membership and relations with the EU.
Let me start by saying that I have been delighted and honoured to have been appointed Ambassador of Albania to the United Kingdom, and to have been given this chance to thank again the United Kingdom for the multifaceted support it has continuously given to Albania, the growth of democracy there and the solution of the Albanian question in the Balkans. A lot indeed can be attributed to the contribution of this Parliament, whose members are very familiar and have real knowledge and expertise in central-south European affairs. A case in point would be, e.g. Deputy Chair of the APPG, M.Pritchard.
As you would imagine, it is not particularly easy for an ambassador to speak about his own country at a time when the country is free and open, there is a free media, a whole network of active NGOs, when communication and information are no more the monopoly of the state and when there are numerous channels to gauge both development, truth, transparency and honesty. British long tradition of democracy and whoever follows parliamentary debates here would confirm this is the best way to go. It is with all this in mind that I intend to be as candid and objective as possible.
Having said that let me try to sort of set the scene for my topic: I would start by a simple double question: Is democracy a success in Albania? The answer is definitely – Yes. Is there need for improvement? The answer is again definitely – Yes, and in a number of aspects. If I may continue with one more question: is there any country in the world where improvements are not needed? I suppose “No”! The great truth and commitment is that the Albanian people and all Albanian structures – political, legislative, executive – across the board, are determined in their unity on and happily pursuing Albania’s path towards the EU. As the Guardian wrote only 10 days ago, “where on earth would 88% of a nation’s citizenry want to join us (and Herman Van Rompuy) in the world’s least welcoming club?” Our people, as has been demonstrated, are committed and willing to sacrifice for that goal.
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