Community connections take centre place at Parliament

23.03.2012

The successful conclusion of a three year outreach programme will be marked by a conference at the Scottish Parliament next week on Tuesday 27 March.

The Scottish Parliament devised the Community Partnership Programme as part of its 10th anniversary legacy in 2009. Through it, the Parliament identified ‘grass roots’ community organisations and worked with them to encourage under-represented groups to get involved with its work. Over the past three years the programme has worked with people with disabilities, people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and ‘hard-to-reach’ young people.

Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer,Tricia Marwick MSP said:

“This Parliament was founded on the principles of openness and accessibility and we have always sought to reach out to people from all walks of Scottish life, particularly those who may feel marginalised or overlooked.

“Over the past three years, we have worked with a range of groups to provide them with the knowledge and means to bring their experience and their causes to the centre of our democratic processes.

“This week’s conference is an opportunity to hear from these groups, and marks a turning point in our outreach programme. Going forward, I am certain that the Scottish Parliament will continue to find new and innovative ways to hear from as many diverse voices as possible, in order to create an inclusive forum for debate.”

Five partner groups took part in phase three of the Community Partnerships Project. They are: Grampian Family Support Forum; Multi-Ethnic Aberdeen Ltd; Dumfries & Galloway Third Sector Forum; Volunteer Centre East Dumbartonshire; and Action in Mind, Stirling.

Representatives of the five groups will speak in Parliament’s debating chamber as part of the Outcomes Conference taking place on Tuesday March 27.

The conference will capture the experiences of the groups in engaging with MSPs and the parliament over the past year.