By Baroness Warsi, Senior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Baroness Warsi
Madam Prime Minister. Thank you for convening today’s debate and for giving us the opportunity to discuss the important issue of peace building.
I would like to pay tribute to the long-standing commitment and leadership shown by Bangladesh on the Peacebuilding agenda. Thank you also to His Excellency Mr Abulkalam Abdul Momen, for his ongoing commitment and dedication, in his role as chairman of the Peacebuilding Commission.
When violent conflict breaks out, the costs to both the affected country and the international community are enormous. Lives are lost, people are displaced, trade links are cut, and criminals and terrorists can take advantage of instability and chaos.
It is therefore clear that peace building is a shared goal. It affects those caught up in the conflict, but it also affects those who are not.
Madam Chairman, I believe the only way to sustainable peace and security is for peace building to be conducted in genuine partnership with states affected by conflict.
There are three principles for effective peacebuilding partnerships without which we will not be able to succeed. These are:
First, effective co-ordination amongst the international community, both in the affected countries and at the UN, raised by Prime Minister Gillard.
Second, strong ownership of peace building from the affected state.
And thirdly genuine mutual accountability for delivering of results.
Peace building has to be done with a comprehensive approach. It cannot be done in silos. Peacebuilding must be holistic. It requires co-ordination from the international community in any given country. Individual donors must resist the temptation to pursue national interests and in doing so duplicating the activities of others at best, undermining it at worst.
Without proper international coordination, there is a real danger that peacebuilding will not be effective. Institutions cannot act independently. So we must accept the need to be co-ordinated, as well as to co-ordinate with others. The UN must also co-ordinate internally. Peacebuilding is not just about the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Support Office. It is a job for all of the UN, who must work together as one. And as donors, we can help the UN to co-ordinate, with coherent messaging and coherent funding.
The real key, however, lies with the affected countries themselves. Understanding the local context is essential. There is little point trying to replicate exactly what works in one country in another emerging from conflict. As we have seen in Timor Leste, and as we heard today from Prime Minister Gusmao, a government with clear priorities can help direct the international community. So strong national ownership is imperative. And that ownership must include a broad range of voices especially recognising the role of women. How can peacebuilding possibly be effective if we do not include half of our populations?
Lastly, there is the need for mutual accountability. Today the international community has committed today to responsible peacebuilding. It means remaining engaged as long as necessary. It means finding the funds that are needed. The UK has already committed fifty-five million pounds to the Peacebuilding Fund, and we urge others to follow this contribution.
There are also responsibilities on the part of countries affected by conflict. New administrations must govern for all the people, regardless of the outcome of the conflict. Issues such as corruption should be addressed so that donors have confidence their support will reach the right people. And new political, security and justice structures should be truly inclusive, not simply composed of existing elites.
Madam Chairman. Building sustainable peace and security in post conflict countries is an enormously difficult and complicated task. But, with clear coordination, commitment and partnership, it can be achieved.
No, says Sayeeda Warsi
“It gives me a spur for the coming year,” said Margaret Thatcher in 1982, explaining why the annual Conservative Party conference was so important to her. Thirty years on, conference is still the highlight of the political calendar – it’s our Glastonbury, minus the mud.
There are many reasons why conference is crucial. It’s the only opportunity for the professional, voluntary and parliamentary parties and our sister parties around the world to come together in one place.
This necessary pause in our political year is a chance to look back at the achievements of the past 12 months and to look ahead at our collective to-do list. Here we can be enthused, inspired and invigorated, be it by a stirring main-stage speech, a thought-provoking fringe event, or simply by the thoughts of a fellow party member you meet in one of the bars.
As well as being about strong internal debate, conference is an opportunity for our messages to echo beyond the auditoriums, a public showcase of what our party’s all about. And it’s a chance to get out of Westminster and to the places where politics is really done.
What makes a conference delegate feel truly part of something is a certain sense of history. There’s a feeling that here, great things begin. David Cameron’s notes-free speech in 2005 won him the leadership of the party. William Hague’s words from the platform as a 16-year-old launched his political career. And a chance conversation at the 1949 Llandudno conference between a friend of 23-year-old Margaret Roberts and an association chairman looking for a candidate set the grocer’s daughter on her remarkable political path.
However, when conference season begins, many say that the ritual should be scrapped. Some journalists slate the cheesy walk-on tunes, the corporate air, the media and the lobbyists (even though most of the grumbling emanates from speech-weary journalists themselves).
I do, however, concede that two criticisms are partly valid: the issues of cost and of providing the space for free, open debate. But these are not good enough reasons to scrap conference – they’re reasons to rise to those challenges.
In an era of ever-sophisticated conference facilities, where exhibitors, the media and delegates expect a more professional set-up, conference has moved to the areas where cheap B&Bs aren’t as readily available. Consequently, the combined cost of accommodation, conference pass and transport can equate to the cost of a holiday.
Some say this deters many members from attending. I’m sad to say, I’m sure they’re right. That’s why, each year, party co-chairman Andrew Feldman and I have devised special packages to reduce prices. This year, we’ve negotiated special deals, including train fares, one-day passes and special accommodation offers. Our mission is to make conference cheaper and more convenient, and therefore more appealing.
Regarding those who cite the conference ‘heyday’, when there was voting and much of the time was allocated to issues chosen by the members, I agree. Conference should be a conversation, not a lecture. I disagree with those who say that a free and open debate could lead to embarrassing episodes for the party in this 24/7 media age. We’re a broad church, and a broad church deserves a forum for proper discussion.
That’s why, year on year, I’m striving to achieve open debate for members. ‘Meet the Chairman’ sessions, of which I’ve held dozens, have proven that holding honest, frank discussions with members is rewarding, constructive and leads to improvements within the party.
So we’re going further: we’re bringing debate to the forefront of conference this year, holding special members-only events with ministers, and enabling members to shape our 2015 manifesto with more Conservative Policy Forum events, building on last year’s successful main stage CPF debates. Members will also have direct contact with top party officials to discuss the campaign strategy and the road to 2015.
Conference continuously evolves – better facilities, slicker presentations, more member involvement and interaction, embracing new technologies and IT – but despite the changes, one thing remains: members are the beating heart. Conference is their event. So once more, Andrew and I are planning a conference that will be more engaging and more entertaining.
Evolve, adapt and improve conference, yes. Scrap it? In the words of one of the event’s biggest advocates: no, no, no.
Baroness Warsi yesterday met with the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, for the first time since she became Minister for Faith and Communities.
The Archbishop, who is President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales discussed with Baroness Warsi the central role faith plays within communities and in building a cohesive society.
Baroness Warsi is also Senior Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where her responsibilities include human rights and religious freedom, and is holding a series of meetings with faith leaders during her first few weeks in post.
She said:
“Ever since I have been in Government I have been making the case for faith and I am delighted to be taking on a dual role in which I can focus on continuing to do so. I will be working closely with religious leaders, and communities of different faiths and none, and I was delighted to see Archbishop Nichols to discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead – particularly on issues of faith and religious freedom.”
The Archbishop of Westminster said:
“I welcome the government’s renewed emphasis on the vital role faith plays in community life and in building a cohesive society. Baroness Warsi has demonstrated strong leadership in promoting good relationships with Religions both domestically and internationally. I look forward to working with her to build on this important work.”
They discussed building upon the achievements of February’s visit to the Vatican, during which Baroness Warsi led the UK’s largest ever ministerial delegation to the Holy See alongside the Archbishop of Westminster.
From free school meals to the foreign office: the next generation of mandarins?
Whitehall is on a quest to prove it is not elitist. But would these children be convinced?
Oliver Wright
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Young Sir Humphrey Applebys they are not. Neither, frankly, do they bear much resemblance to aspiring Malcolm Tuckers – probably for the best.
Nonetheless, the 60 teenagers, looking a little intimidated amid the garish turquoise and gold state rooms of the Foreign Office, are what the civil service believes is its future.
They were chosen from hundreds of applicants across the country for an internship programme with a difference. While many summer schemes are dominated by children of the wealthy, all those accepted are either on free school meals or in line to be the first generation of their family to go to university.
They had been fixed up with two weeks of placements across Government departments – from the Treasury, to the Home Office and even David Cameron’s office – to get a taste of life in Whitehall and a step up on the ladder to a civil service career.
The scheme, now in its second year, has so far had little publicity – but if it works, could fundamentally alter the make-up of the next generation of Whitehall mandarins.
Not that the 17-year-olds initially saw it that way. “I heard about it from one of my A Level teachers,” said Liam Reynolds, 17, from Birmingham. “But I didn’t really apply until the last day because I didn’t think it was a realistic goal. I thought it would be for the upper class.”
Rumanah Patel from Bolton agreed. She has experience of the public school types that she thinks populate Whitehall – and at the start of her placement, still had plans to become a cosmetic dentist.
“I was at a politics conference with school recently and we were the only normal school there. Everyone else was from a private school. The guy sat next to me was like someone who had walked out of an olden-time movie. He was saying, ‘It’s so good to step out of the bubble and meet new people’. I thought, ‘Are you trying to say I’m something from outside the bubble?’ There is a divide. When they come into something like this, they are prepared for it. We’re not.”
To put them at their ease on their first day, Baroness Warsi, the Cabinet Minister responsible for the programme, told a story of growing up in Dewsbury; the child of immigrant parents and going to the local comprehensive school.
“I went to see the careers’ service,” she tells them, “and the woman said to me ‘what is it that you want to do?’ I said I really enjoyed working with people and she said: ‘Well there is a McDonalds opening in town. Have you ever thought of applying there and doing that?’”
“I decided that I didn’t want to flip burgers for the rest of my life. I wanted to do more than that. Sometimes it’s very easy to look at other people who are successful and think they must have had it easy all the way: they were probably born into a more successful family; they probably didn’t have the challenges at home that I did; they probably did not have the barriers I did. But I came to realise that the biggest barriers I had were my own aspirations.”
So two weeks on, what do the teenagers make of life in the civil service and has it changed their minds? Rumanah has been completely converted: “I went in to this talking about dentistry and I didn’t think I was desk person. But now I’ve seen the amount of things that can be done from behind a desk.
“We went to an asylum screening centre. There was this [Chinese] lady and she didn’t speak a word of English, but her husband was English, and he didn’t speak a word of Chinese – and they’d been married for six months.”
Blake Lawrinson from Leeds did a stint in David Cameron’s office, researching the Paralympics and taking part in field visits.
“The definite highlight had to be when I went on a recce – visisting one of the most sustainable buildings in Europe. That was just a completely new experience, and exclusive as well. It was like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I’m here’. I pinched myself a bit. I’d love to pursue a career in the civil service – I’ve found that it’s something I really liked doing.”
All those taking part were given references signed by Nick Clegg, advice on applying to top universities, and the promise that they will get extra support if they do decide to pursue a career as a civil servant.
But amid all the positives, there was at least some cynicism that would not appeal to Sir Humphrey.
“Before I came I had this idea that there would be a lot of bureaucracy,” said Liam. “And that’s not really changed – if anything, it’s been reinforced quite a lot. Perhaps civil service cuts are the way to go.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/from-free-school-meals-to-the-foreign-office-the-next-generation-of-mandarins-8092832.html?origin=internalSearch
On behalf of the Conservative Party I would like to send my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr in Britain and around the world.
Eid is a special time for families and friends to come together to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The significance it places on hope, charity and community is something which unites Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
As we come together to celebrate we must remember the lives of those who are less fortunate than us, in particular those suffering as a result of the brutal situation in Syria.
Once again, I would like to wish Eid Mubarak to everyone marking this special occasion.
On Monday 13th August Cabinet Office Minister, Baroness Warsi, on behalf of HM Government, and in conjunction with the Social Mobility Foundation launched the second annual Whitehall Internship program.
The program, designed to open up internship places for Year 12 students from underrepresented backgrounds, will allow for two week placements in Government Departments such as the Treasury, the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the Cabinet Office and the Foreign Office.
Places have been offered to the students from all around the UK.
Speaking ahead of the start of the program, Baroness Warsi said:
“It is vital that we do our bit in Government to give students from all backgrounds the opportunity to explore areas of work they previously thought weren’t open to them. In the past many young people missed out on work experience opportunities simply because they lacked the necessary contacts or faced significant financial burdens. Offering fully funded internships is a great way to start addressing that and it is my privilege to help champion the work of the Social Mobilty Foundation.
“I hope that the two week Whitehall internship will give the students a real insight into working in Government and the confidence to believe that anything is possible.”
ublished in the Lytham St Annes Express on Wednesday 15 August 2012 by Gareth Vickers
Conservative Party co-chairman and Minister of State, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, visited the county to launch a ‘No Cold Calling’ campaign with County Coun Tim Ashton, the PCC candidate, as well as support his bid ahead of November’s elections.
The pair, alongside Fylde MP Mark Menzies, met residents and outlined their plans for both campaigns.
The Police and Crime Commissioner role allows an elected individual to be accountable for how crime is tackled in their area, with voting taking place on November 15.
Ms Warsi said: “We are here for two reasons, one to launch our ‘No Cold Calling’ campaign and secondly to support Tim’s candidancy ahead of the upcoming elections.
“Tim is a great candidate who we feel will do very well in the area. These positions are the first of their kind, and Tim, who has a strong business background, will be an excellent commissioner if he succeeds in working alongside the heads of Lancashire police.”
Mr Ashton added: “I won’t be in charge of police in the county, but my job is to work alongside them and assist them to do their jobs the best they can.
“The county’s police are some of the best-performing in the country and I want to continue this.”
Coun Ashton’s priorities include crime, supporting officers and protecting frontline policing.
He added: “My role is to hold to account the top people in the force and ensure we remain as one of the best and most respected forces in the country.”
Earlier, the pair met elderly and vulnerable residents in Earby, Pendle, to discuss dealing with cold callers, before travelling to the Fylde coast.
Key tips the trio mentioned included always checking the identity of callers to your home, not keeping cash at home and not agreeing to work as a result of a cold-caller.
Ms Warsi added: “We are taking this very seriously. Cold callers are a big issue, especially in quiet, residential areas like Lytham and Tim and Mark will be working hard to assist residents with such selling tactics.”
Published in The York Press, Friday 3rd August 2012 by Jennifer BellConservative Party Chairman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, right, and Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner candidate Julia Mulligan stand by the plaque to the memory of Richard Horrocks who died trying to swim across the River Ouse
A GOVERNMENT minister has vowed to spread The Press’s Think Don’t Swim message as she backed our river safety campaign.
Conservative Party Co-Chairman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi yesterday watched the emotive eight-minute video aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of York’s waterways which The Press launched as part of our river awareness campaign following the death of bartender Richard Horrocks.
The Conservative peer viewed the film in silence in Revolution – close to where the 21-year-old barman drowned after jumping into the water from a balcony a year ago.
When it finished she said: “It is very hard-hitting. With a video like this the message can go viral.”
She pledged to post a link to the video and the video’s message on her dedicated twitter page which has 3,270 followers.
Steve Hughes, managing editor of The Press, said afterwards: “I hope Baroness Warsi’s colleagues share her support for our important campaign and spread the word further about this film. We would love it to be shown in every school and college in the country.”
Baroness Warsi was visiting York as the start of a campaign to meet local conservative police and crime commissioner candidates across the country.
Together with Julia Mulligan, Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidate for North Yorkshire, she visited the Safer York Partnership to talk about local police priorities before visiting the plaque outside Revolution which serves as a memorial to Mr Horrocks’ life, as well as a stark warning to others that a moment of madness could cost a life.
Speaking ahead of Baroness Warsi’s visit earlier in the day, Richard’s mother, Vicki Horrocks, said she hoped the Government would one day give the river safety message the same importance as road safety within schools and colleges across the UK.
Baroness Warsi said she thought the Think Don’t Swim message could be shared by the local safer neighbourhood partnership with other similar cities and areas where the message would be relevant, with the video potentially to be shown in schools, colleges and universities across the country.
“This would be the whole point of local police and crime commissioners to sort out local priorities like this,” she said. “I am a firm believer in this. In a city like York – where I used to live – the river is part and parcel of every day of life.”
North Yorkshire PCC candidate Mrs Mulligan vowed, if elected, to also spread the message of Think Don’t Swim campaign. She said: “I am not an ivory tower sort of candidate. I want to go out and deliver the message and make important issues like this a priority.
“I understand the video has more than 4,000 online views already, but I want that to be more. I want more people to see it and to spread the message. Word of mouth is one of the strongest weapons.”
Baroness Warsi said she believed the PCCs, once elected, would lead to greater transparency, democracy and accountability within the police force.
Mrs Mulligan said: “This is a chance for a fresh start. I think we need to make the police force as open and transparent as possible.”
Ramadan is an opportunity to contemplate, to pray and to give generously, and it is a holy month which I know many Muslims in the UK and around the world will be observing.
On a personal note, it’s an opportunity to focus on what really matters in life, including the importance of family, of communities and neighbours, and of those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
So on behalf of the Conservative Party I want to say to all those starting the month of Ramadan today, Ramadan Mubarak.
Baroness Warsi discusses diverse Britain’s global trading opportunities
Britain’s future trade opportunities lie beyond our immediate neighbours and our traditional trading partners. We need to engage with emerging and expanding economies across the world and I determined to do all I can to support businesses in their mission to branch out in their overseas trade.
Yorkshire is uniquely placed to take advantage of this shift. Places with strong international ties are crucial to our prosperity as a country. For example, last time I was in Bradford I argued that the town – with its diverse demographics and global links – should be at the forefront of seeking out new markets. In particular, Yorkshire and Pakistan have a natural connection through longstanding family and cultural connections and I believe that is something businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations can truly capitalise on.
So I was delighted yesterday to honour my pledge to local businesses by hosting a high-powered ministerial and business delegation from Pakistan to Yorkshire to meet with local businessmen and women. The event, held in Bradford, comes hot on the heels of the delegation’s visit to Scotland earlier this week, where they signed business deals and laid the groundwork for positive cooperation in the future.
The Governor of Sindh, Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan, who is leading the delegation, was keen to meet up to discuss the scope for future trade between the UK and Pakistan. I met Dr Khan in Karachi in January and urged him to come to Yorkshire and explore opportunities for his country. The Governor told me he was keen to explore possibilities in education, in financial services, in food and telecommunications. This week Glasgow and Karachi have made this billion-pound bond; just think of the potential for businesses in our region.
These efforts are all part of our aim to ensure the UK’s business relations are as excellent as our political and cultural ties. The UK is already Pakistan’s fourth largest trading partner among OECD countries. Karachi is the economic powerhouse of the country and there are more than 100 British companies operating in Pakistan so the Governor’s visit to Yorkshire this week was particularly exciting.
The Prime Minister David Cameron wants to increase bilateral trade between our two countries to £2.5billion by 2015. For UK companies the fact that Pakistan has a pro-business regulatory regime, which allows 100% remittance of capital and profits in many sectors, is a real incentive, as is the fact that there is a growing presence of UK companies in health, education and retail.
People may think this government is all about cutting the deficit. I don’t blame them; we’ve thrown everything into putting Britain on a stable financial footing to keep our credit rating credible and our mortgage rates low – already cutting Labour’s mammoth deficit by a quarter in just two years.
But the fact is that we are equally committed to growing our country out of the debt crisis. The Prime Minister has said that it isn’t just his job and the Foreign Secretary’s job to bang the drum for trade abroad – it’s the job of each and every minister in this government and I’m delighted to play my part in that. We have six full time trade and investment officers in Pakistan to support UK businesses through bespoke market information, introductions, identifying opportunities and lobbying on their behalf. Together, we are fixing the sign firmly to the door: Britain’s open for business.
Capitalising on the new global economy is about more than forging new trading ties, it’s also about having something to offer. Britain is truly getting back its manufacturing mojo; for the first time since 1976 we are a net exporter of cars; we sell vodka to Poland, cheese to France, tacos to Mexico – even canoes to the Eskimos! So it was appropriate that I was also in Yorkshire this week to talk to an innovative group in the textile industry.
The textiles industry, which once thrived in northern England, now accounts for just 0.2 per cent of the UK economy. In 2006 alone, 10,000 jobs in the textile and clothing industries were lost. The number of UK textile jobs halved in the previous decade. Yet nonwovens are the fastest growing sector in the textiles industry.
The Nonwoven Network, a niche market in the textile industry, are demonstrating how to survive in the new global economy. By developing new technologies they are showing that an industry of the past can weatherproof itself for the future and, as a result, are the fastest growing sector of the textile world.
From my work on behalf of the government around the world, I know that the Made in Britain stamp is the most prestigious of designer labels. We need more businesses to take the lead from this sector of the textiles industry and to keep innovating and developing. Only then can we fulfil our mission to put Britain on the map for the things it makes.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
