http://tonyblairoffice.org en Copyright 2010 2010-03-11T12:54:05+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-sends-congratulations-as-rwanda-formally-joins-commonwealth/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-sends-congratulations-as-rwanda-formally-joins-commonwealth/ President Kagame was in London this week as Rwanda took the latest step in its development journey and its flag was officially raised alongside those of 54 other Commonwealth nations. The move is hailed by Rwandans as an example of their openness to the world and determination to play a full role in the global community. Africa Governance Initiative 2010-03-11T12:54:05+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-and-pm-fayyad-discuss-the-dignity-and-justice-of-palestinian-sta/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-and-pm-fayyad-discuss-the-dignity-and-justice-of-palestinian-sta/ Tony Blair congratulated Prime Minister Fayyad for the work he has been doing which means that Palestinian institutions are being built, capacity being developed, and that means successful negotiations could see the Palestinian state be a reality for people. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2010-03-09T21:26:30+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/New-initiative-announced-with-Run-in-England/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/New-initiative-announced-with-Run-in-England/ The Tony Blair Sports Foundation is joining forces with one of the country’s top sporting initiatives to play a major part in creating a long lasting 2012 Olympic legacy by offering a new qualification in Leadership in Running and Fitne Sports Foundation 2010-03-09T14:11:33+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Team-TBSF-launched-for-the-Great-North-Run-/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Team-TBSF-launched-for-the-Great-North-Run-/ The Great North Run is one of the most famous and prestigious half marathons attracting athletes and fun runners from across the world. This year, organisers have received a record number of applications, with over 100,000 people applying to take part in what will be the 30th Great North Run across Tyneside on Sunday 19th September. The Tony Blair Sports Foundation is delighted and very proud that for the 3rd year Team TBSF will be taking part and raising funds on behalf of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation and a limited number of places are now available for committed runners who want to sign up to make a difference. Sports Foundation 2010-03-08T09:40:34+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/strengthening-governing-capacity-in-post-conflict-liberia/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/strengthening-governing-capacity-in-post-conflict-liberia/ Tony Blair has now taken his model of philanthropy to Liberia, which its president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, says "is not a poor country" with its rich natural resources, "but is a country that has been managed poorly." Fourteen years of civil war has decimated its infrastructure and impoverished its young population, 75 percent of whom are under the age of 25 and all of whom have spent more time in battle than in school. Africa Governance Initiative 2010-03-05T12:24:50+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blairs-memoir-the-journey-to-published-in-september/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blairs-memoir-the-journey-to-published-in-september/ “I have really enjoyed the writing of the book. I have tried to write a book which describes the human as much as the political dimensions of life as Prime Ministe Office of Tony Blair 2010-03-04T10:34:21+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-pays-tribute-to-michael-foot/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-pays-tribute-to-michael-foot/ Tony Blair pays tribute to a "giant of the labour movement". Office of Tony Blair 2010-03-03T17:33:58+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/North-East-Schools-Get-Rowing/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/North-East-Schools-Get-Rowing/ Keen young rowers were put through their paces at the inaugural ‘Get Going, Get Rowing’ North East Regional Schools Indoor Rowing Final, held at Maiden Castle, Durham University on 2nd March, 2010. Heats had been held across the region since September with 1265 pupils from 96 schools across different age groups taking part. The 192 finalists – 48 from each county of County Durham, Tees Valley, Tyne & Wear and Northumberland - competed on indoor rowing machines that are wired up to project their performances live on screen. Th Sports Foundation 2010-03-03T11:39:02+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-talks-to-newstime-africa-about-the-work-of-his-africa-governance/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-talks-to-newstime-africa-about-the-work-of-his-africa-governance/ Fresh from his six day trip to Africa, Tony Blair talks to Newstime Africa's Ahmed Kamara about the purpose of the Africa Governance Initiative and the work it's doing today in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Rwanda Office of Tony Blair, Africa Governance Initiative 2010-03-01T12:59:15+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blairs-return-to-sierra-leone-focuses-on-healthcare-delivery-programme/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blairs-return-to-sierra-leone-focuses-on-healthcare-delivery-programme/ Tony Blair today returned to Sierra Leone this week to review the progress of the Africa Governance Initiative project with President Koroma, with a specific focus on healthcare and the work the Government of Sierra Leone is doing to prepare for the delivery of free healthcare for pregnant women and children under five. Office of Tony Blair, Africa Governance Initiative 2010-02-24T18:20:48+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-and-president-johnson-sirleaf-speak-to-the-bbc-about-good-govern/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-and-president-johnson-sirleaf-speak-to-the-bbc-about-good-govern/ Listen to Tony Blair and the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, speak to the BBC World Service about the launch of the AGI Liberia project and the importance of good governance Office of Tony Blair, Africa Governance Initiative 2010-02-24T14:23:54+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Joes-story-In-at-the-deep-end-Part-1/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Joes-story-In-at-the-deep-end-Part-1/ Joe Keenan, the Community Engagement Manager at the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, recently started a Level 1 Coaching Course. Here he explains how he is progressing. Sports Foundation 2010-02-24T12:39:23+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-in-liberia-to-launch-africa-governance-initiative-with-president/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-in-liberia-to-launch-africa-governance-initiative-with-president/ The project which follows a request from President Johnson Sirleaf will focus on the Ministry of State and will see a small team from the Initiative, under Mr Blair's guidance, working side-by-side with counterparts in the Liberian government with the aim to build the capacity at the centre of the Liberian administration to deliver for its people. Office of Tony Blair, Africa Governance Initiative 2010-02-22T16:28:04+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-visits-pioneering-interfaith-malaria-initiative-in-nigeria/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-visits-pioneering-interfaith-malaria-initiative-in-nigeria/ Tony Blair participated, first hand, in the work of the largest Muslim and Christian alliance in Africa led by the Nigerian Inter-Faith Action Association (NIFAA), with funding support from the Nigeran government, the World Bank, the Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty, (CIFA) and other international funders. Office of Tony Blair, Faith Foundation 2010-02-20T16:10:44+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Turning-up-the-HEAT-in-Hartlepool/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Turning-up-the-HEAT-in-Hartlepool/ Ten committed Basketball players have signed up with the Tony Blair Sports Foundation and Hartlepool HEAT to help develop basketball in the town. At Manor College of Technology in Hartlepool, the volunteers have started a Level 1 Course in Basketball Coaching provided by the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, and they will use their newly gained qualifications to volunteer with Hartlepool HEAT to facilitate more Basketball sessions in the community for children across Hartlepool. Sports Foundation 2010-02-19T13:25:14+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/secretary-clinton-announces-intensified-role-for-tony-blair-on-middle-east/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/secretary-clinton-announces-intensified-role-for-tony-blair-on-middle-east/ Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said today that Quartet Representative Tony Blair is going to “intensify” his partnership with U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East George Mitchell as part of American efforts to get the Israelis and the Palestinians into peace ta Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2010-02-12T16:01:41+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/4000-jobs-created-as-president-koroma-secures-400-million-bio-fuel-investme/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/4000-jobs-created-as-president-koroma-secures-400-million-bio-fuel-investme/ President Koroma of Sierra Leone today attended the signing of a bio-fuel investment deal worth $400 million and 4,000 jobs over the next few years. Africa Governance Initiative 2010-02-09T17:07:32+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Trustee-Tanni-becomes-a-Baroness/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Trustee-Tanni-becomes-a-Baroness/ The Tony Blair Sports Foundation would like to congratulate Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson on her appointment as a ‘People’s Peer’ after a recommendation by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. Tanni who is a Trustee of the Foundation is one of Britain's best known athletes and has received numerous accolades and awards in recognition of her Paralympics and sporting achievemen Sports Foundation 2010-02-08T15:51:28+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/oqr-welcomes-jalameh-crossing-opening-for-tourist-buses/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/oqr-welcomes-jalameh-crossing-opening-for-tourist-buses/ The Office of the Quartet Representative today welcomed the Government of Israel's move to allow tourist buses through the Jalameh vehicle crossing into the West Bank. Office of the Quartet Representative 2010-02-08T10:33:18+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-sees-massive-potential-for-tourism-as-he-/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-sees-massive-potential-for-tourism-as-he-/ Quartet Representative Tony Blair visited the Sebastia Tourism Site on Tuesday morning as part of his efforts to revive tourism in the Northern West Bank following the opening of the Jalameh crossing. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2010-02-02T11:55:05+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-speaks-to-the-iraq-inquiry1/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-speaks-to-the-iraq-inquiry1/ Watch Tony Blair give evidence to the Iraq Inquiry in central London Office of Tony Blair 2010-01-29T15:09:53+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/paul-kagame-speaks-to-this-is-africa-about-rwandas-remarkable-success-story/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/paul-kagame-speaks-to-this-is-africa-about-rwandas-remarkable-success-story/ “A lot is changing. The voices of Africa are becoming more pronounced. There is insistence on Africa being taken seriously by Africans themselves, and Africans are trying to assert themselves and not only say the right things but also be seen to be doing the right things Africa Governance Initiative 2010-01-27T18:44:09+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/first-phase-of-the-north-gaza-sewage-treatment-project-is-completed/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/first-phase-of-the-north-gaza-sewage-treatment-project-is-completed/ Quartet Representative Tony Blair today welcomed the long-awaited completion of Phase One of the World-Bank funded North Gaza Emergency Sewage Treatment facility, which is successfully diverting sewage away from the dangerous Beit Lahiya site. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2010-01-27T15:49:51+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-paris-donors-group-review-progress/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-paris-donors-group-review-progress/ Quartet Representative Tony Blair joined Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad at a meeting of the Paris Donors Group on Tuesday to review progress since the record-breaking pledging conference of December 2007. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2010-01-26T22:57:45+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Volunteers-get-on-their-bikes-for-Daisy-Chain/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Volunteers-get-on-their-bikes-for-Daisy-Chain/ Last weekend, four committed mountain bike volunteers signed up with the Tony Blair Sports Foundation to help provide support for children with autism on Teesside. Nathan Money, Gabrielle Finn, David Scordino and Guy Stockdale have all taken a course in Mountain Bike Leadership that was provided by The Tony Blair Sports Foundation, and they will use their newly gained qualifications to volunteer with Daisy Chain in Stockton to facilitate more cycling activities with children based at the charity. Sports Foundation 2010-01-26T14:42:43+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/a-prosperous-and-exciting-africa-in-our-lifetime/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/a-prosperous-and-exciting-africa-in-our-lifetime/ Tony Blair talks to Africa Investor magazine about his Africa Governance Initiative and his hopes for the future of the continent Office of Tony Blair, Africa Governance Initiative 2010-01-20T16:37:57+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Ring-in-the-New/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/Ring-in-the-New/ I'm so proud of the progress we've made at the Sports Foundation in such a short space of time. Our expansion shows just how important this work is. And it won't stop here. We need to build on this success to improve access to sport for more young people across the North East. The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are less than three years away and we need to use that to inspire and motivate children to get into sport, so that it becomes the healthy habit of a lifetime. Sports Foundation 2010-01-20T15:01:12+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/New-Year-New-Partnership-a-volunteering-initiative-with-Derwentside-Home/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/New-Year-New-Partnership-a-volunteering-initiative-with-Derwentside-Home/ A major social housing provider has signed up to a new partnership with the Tony Blair Sports Foundation. Derwentside Homes who manage nearly 7000 properties in and around Consett and Stanley have agreed to promote the Foundation to its residents as part of a strategy to help the local community get more active. Sports Foundation 2010-01-20T11:56:59+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/My-Coaching-Story-James-Andrew/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/My-Coaching-Story-James-Andrew/ My name is James Andrew. I first got involved in athletics about three years ago. I was really interested in trying to take it further so I approached Jarrow and Hebburn, my local club, and started to go to club nights on a regular basis. It wasn’t long before I was hook Sports Foundation 2010-01-20T11:36:02+00:00 http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/faith-foundation-praises-powerful-multi-faith-action-in-haiti/ http://tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/faith-foundation-praises-powerful-multi-faith-action-in-haiti/ The Tony Blair Faith Foundation has praised the "powerful" multi-faith action in Haiti as religious divides are put aside to save lives. The global charity is calling on people of all faiths and none across the world to support the Haiti relief efforts. Office of Tony Blair, Faith Foundation 2010-01-18T12:50:22+00:00