The Scottish Diaspora Forum - 25th July 2009

Scots Around The World - Past, Present and Future

Tickets are now available for an event which will consider how Scotland and the estimated 40 million “diaspora Scots” worldwide can best work together for their mutual benefit.  The Scottish Diaspora Forum, being held at the Scottish Parliament on 25 July 2009 is part of the Homecoming Scotland celebrations.

Held in the same weekend as The Gathering, one of the largest international gatherings of Scottish clans ever held, tickets (free) for the Scottish Diaspora Forum are available from www.scottishdiasporaforum.org.

The Forum will be chaired by Presiding Officer, Alex Fergusson MSP, with the two former Presiding Officers, Rt Hon Lord (David) Steel of Aikwood, KT, KBE and Rt Hon George Reid taking major roles throughout proceedings which will look at Scotland’s richest export over the years – its people

With participants including Professor Tom Devine, Jonathan Mills, Dr Louise Richardson, Professor James Hunter, James Naughtie, Alan MacFarlane, Joyce MacMillan and Gus Noble the Scottish Diaspora Forum will discuss how the past influence of Scots around the globe can work for the future benefit of this country.  

More names, including the guest of honour, will be announced in the near future.

The Forum aims to inspire debate on the economic, intellectual, social and cultural capital of Scots around the globe, and most importantly to consider how we might use that capital for the benefit of Scotland.  The Scottish Diaspora Forum hopes to engage and influence government, business and others to support and develop both short and long term relationships and initiatives.

Professor Tom Devine, Director of the Scottish Centre for Diaspora Studies at Edinburgh University, will deliver a keynote speech to be followed by a panel debate – “Is Scotland resting on the laurels of the past or can there be a new Scottish Enlightenment? If so, how critical is the Scottish diaspora to achieving this?”. 

Culture Minister Michael Russell MSP said:
“As we welcome home Scots from around the world in the Year of Homecoming, this Forum presents a great opportunity for us to consider how best to keep in touch for mutual benefit.  The Scottish Government is funding this event,  recognising its potential in helping to identify the future direction of our engagement with the huge number of ambassadors we have spread across the globe and the social, cultural, intellectual and economic benefits available for Scotland and all Scots.

“Working closely with the Scottish Diaspora Forum, I hope we can realise this potential and create a really significant and long-lasting legacy of Homecoming Scotland 2009”

Alex Fergusson MSP said:
“As the Parliament marks its 10th anniversary and the Year of Homecoming, the Scottish Diaspora Forum will provide a unique opportunity to reflect upon how Scots have shaped today’s world – and how they can continue to do so in the future.”
Rt Hon the Lord (David) Steel of Aikwood, KT, KBE said:

"In my frequent travels abroad I am always amazed at the number of people with Scottish heritage who have pivotal roles in countries around the world.  There is no doubt that Scots have helped shape what we now know as the Commonwealth – in terms of explorers, engineers, teachers and missionaries, disproportionately far more than our English cousins. The forum is a chance to recapture that history and magic.”
 
Rt Hon George Reid said:
“There is a vast pool of goodwill around the world among our diaspora. In this interconnected Internet age, Scotland is not just a country of 5-million, but a potential community of 30-million plus. We have to learn from the Armenians, Irish and Jews about building links across the seas.”

For further information contact
Fiona Duff
0131 225 2279/07710419762
info@duffpublicity.com

NOTE TO EDITORS

Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrates the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth with a year-long programme of events across the country. Homecoming 2009 is celebrating some of Scotland’s great contributions to the world: golf, whisky, great minds and innovations and Scotland’s rich culture and heritage.