News Release
(Community partnership) issued by The Scottish Parliament on 10
November 2008
A groundbreaking
project to give a voice to people typically under-represented in
political life has been launched today by the Scottish Parliament.
In what is believed to be the first Parliamentary project of its
kind, the Scottish Parliament Community Partnerships Project will
work with blind and partially sighted young people, difficult to
reach young people, and people from black and minority ethnic
backgrounds to help them get involved with and influence the
activities of the Parliament.
The partner groups taking part are:
* Haggeye - the Forum for Blind and Partially Sighted Young
people in Scotland. Haggeye works across Scotland to enable young
people aged 12 to 25 years old to come together to make a
difference by successfully campaigning for accessible services,
facilities and opportunities, locally and nationally.
* Action for Children (AfC) - (formerly NCH Scotland) one of the
largest charities working with vulnerable and difficult to reach
young people. Action for Children Scotland works with young people
who often need intense support in particularly difficult
circumstances. Its participation in the project will focus on the
city of Dundee.
* Multi-Ethnic Aberdeen Ltd (MeAL) - a user led organisation
committed to promoting tolerance, cultural diversity and raising
awareness of the value of ethnic individuals, business owners and
organisations. MeAL's participation in the project will focus
on Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire.
Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP said:
"Our existing programme of educational activities and events
both within and outwith Holyrood have been very successful in
reaching a wide variety of groups and individuals the length and
breadth of Scotland. However, as we approach our tenth
anniversary, it is important we continue to engage with new
audiences and this exciting project offers just such an opportunity.
"No matter what anyone's background or circumstances,
their voice is important to the Scottish Parliament. We hope to
show the very practical difference people can make to how their
Parliament can improve life in Scotland."
The first phase of the project will begin during the next few
weeks. Parliament staff will visit public sessions organised by
the partners. They will talk about how the Parliament works and
how people can interact and influence policy development and legislation.
During 2009, the groups themselves will determine what issues
they would like to see addressed and work with Parliament staff
and MSPs to determine how to bring this issue to the Scottish
Parliament. This could be a public petition, an event, an art
project - any method that the group believe can effectively
communicate their issue to parliamentarians. As each project
develops, information will be placed into the public domain.
To find out more about the projects and other activities being
delivered by the Parliament as part of activities to mark a decade
of devolution, please visit:
* Parliament's Information on Community Partnerships http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/outreach/index.htm.
*
Parliament's news release on 10th anniversary project: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-08/pa08-034.htm
Background
To take part in the project, please contact MeAL, Action for
Children Scotland or Haggeye directly.
* Haggeye
Mo Colvin, Project Development Officer, Haggeye.
Office: 0131 311 8500. http://www.rnib.org.uk/scotland
Haggeye is made up of young people from across Scotland and
was launched in June 2007. The project is supported by RNIB
Scotland the Big Lottery Fund. Haggeye offers opportunities to
enable young people's voices to be heard. It provides
opportunities to meet new people and make new friends, take part
in social activities, discuss issues, influence the provision of
services and campaign for change.
* Action for Children (AfC)
Bryan Christie, media officer for
Action for Children Scotland.
Tel: 0131 653 2750 Mobile: 07788
583037.
Action for Children is the new name for NCH, the
children's charity. One of the UK's leading
children's charities, which was established in 1869. We work
in partnership to run 65 services for more than 7000 of
Scotland's most vulnerable children, young people and their
families. Across the UK we run 450 services providing help for
around 170,000 children, young people and their families. For
further information on Action for Children Scotland or to support
our work visit http://www.actionforchildren.org.uk
* Multi-Ethnic Aberdeen Ltd (MeAL)
Malcolm McCarthy, Business
Development Manager, Multi Ethnic Aberdeen Limited.
Tel: 01224
645268 http://www.multiethnic.co.uk/index.html
Multi Ethnic Aberdeen is a user led registered Scottish
charity and a non-profit company limited by guarantee. It is
committed to promoting tolerance, cultural diversity, and raising
awareness of the value of the ethnic individuals, business owners
and organisations within Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, and North East Scotland.
The organisation wants to promote and encourage a harmonious
society in the North East of Scotland that is multi-ethnic,
multi-racial, and multi-faith. It is working towards the social,
educational, economic and cultural equality of all. They do this
by working with the public, private and voluntary sectors to
provide equal opportunities for the mutual benefit of everyone
living in the North East area of Scotland.
For public information enquiries, contact:
Telephone: 0131
348 5000 / 0800 092 7500 (Public Enquiries) / 0131 348 5395
(Gaidhlig)
Textphone users can contact us on 0800 092 7100. We
also welcome calls using the RNID Typetalk service.
Email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk
You can now get in touch with the Parliament by text message. Our
interactive service enables you to get the name of your MSP by
sending your postcode, lets you ask questions about the Parliament
and its work, and enables you to request a selection of free
leaflets. The number to take advantage of is 07786 209888. Texts
are charged at standard network rates. More details can be found
on our Text Service page.