Question reference: S6W-17153
- Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 6 April 2023
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Angus Robertson on 11 April 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to engage with the Scottish Connections international community and expand its work with Scottish diaspora networks.
Answer
Scotland is an open, connected and outward-looking country with a long and proud history of intellectual, cultural and economic exchange.
The Programme for Government 2021-22 set out plans to “engage with our Scottish Connections international community and expand on our work with Scottish diaspora networks across the world”. This commitment was reiterated in our Global Affairs Framework, published May 2022.
The Scottish Government’s first Scottish Connections Framework is published on 11 April 2023.
https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781805256939
This is the first time that work across the Scottish Government and partners has been brought together into a cohesive and cross-cutting approach to diaspora engagement.
Recognising and engaging our diaspora is an objective in itself – not a means to an end. Scotland’s diaspora and our Scottish Connections are an extension of Scotland itself – our living bridge with people, organisations and communities around the world.
The Framework outlines a series of commitments and ambitions to strengthen and expand our relationships with, and between, Scotland’s international communities.
Taking a broad definition of diaspora, we want to strengthen and expand Scotland’s links and networks with Scottish people living elsewhere in the world; those with Scottish heritage; people who have previously lived in Scotland, including alumni; and those with a professional, business, cultural or other links to Scotland.
The Scottish Connections Framework will add value to our diaspora engagement by bringing together the experiences, skills and connections of our existing networks, including GlobalScot and alumni.
We will build on existing work with our established networks, including our own international offices, GlobalScots, alumni groups, heritage diaspora organisations and other public sector partners.