Alan Duncan urges young Scots to join fight against poverty
2 May 2014 03:52 PM
International Development Minister Alan Duncan
is calling on young people across Scotland to join the global fight against
poverty.
He
was in Edinburgh today to meet young people who are already involved in
international development and are helping to make a difference in some of the
world’s poorest countries.
Alan Duncan said:
I’ve been deeply impressed by the enthusiasm,
energy and commitment of young people in Scotland who are helping change
people’s lives in some of the world’s poorest
places.
From building links with schoolchildren in a Tanzanian
village to raising awareness of HIV and AIDS in Malawi, the young people I met
in Edinburgh can be proud of the impact they are having in developing
countries.
Young Scots have a hugely important role to play in
helping the UK create a better future for people around the world and I hope
that as many as possible take up this challenge.
At
Holyrood High School the Minister met students on the UK government-funded
Connecting Classrooms programme who have a partnership with Lombeta High School
in Tanzania. The students work on joint projects and take part in exchange
visits, while teachers work closely to share best practice.
He
encouraged pupils to enter DFID’s ‘Shape The Future’
competition which was launched this week by putting forward their best ideas on
how the UK Government can make life better for girls and women in developing
countries.
He
met volunteers from the UK’s International Citizen Service (ICS) scheme,
who have all recently returned to Scotland after working on development
projects in countries like Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda.
The
Minister also heard from Edinburgh-based social enterprise Challenges Worldwide
who are part of a consortium of development organisations delivering the new
ICS Entrepreneur scheme. ICS Entrepreneur, which has been backed by the
Scottish Chambers of Commerce, gives Scotland’s most promising young
entrepreneurs the chance to learn vital commercial skills while working with
small businesses and local entrepreneurs in developing
countries.
Notes to editors