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MSPs bring Parliament to the classroom

Hansard Society event at the Scottish Parliament

16 November 2005

Vice-chair of the Hansard Society Barry Winetrobe speaking in the Garden Lobby

Holyrood's inclusive approach to the democratic process was highlighted at a Hansard Society Scotland event at the Parliament last night.

The society provides an independent platform to consider issues relating to the Scottish Parliament, and brings together MSPs, journalists, academics, teachers, workers in the private and voluntary sector, and others with an interest in democracy in Scotland. Its annual conference took place at Holyrood on 7 November.

In a speech last night Barry Winetrobe, vice-chair of the society, said: "Holyrood is a very different sort of institution and we should be very proud of that... Hansard Society Scotland has developed greatly in recent years, not just through the efforts of its members but because there is a unique brand of parliamentary governance here for us to look at.

"One of the Scottish Parliament's key words is engagement, and that is what Hansard Society Scotland is all about."

Presiding Officer George Reid

The Scottish Parliament works with the Hansard Society on the MSPs in Schools scheme, which allows students to meet and question politicians in the classroom.

Presiding Officer George Reid last night thanked the society for its involvement in the education project.

He said: "In this academic year alone there will be 100 sessions in 58 schools, seven of them in Gaelic. We are grateful too for your democracy forums... these, along with your annual conference and forums at the offices of the European Parliament are helping all of us to think over the horizon."

Guests at the event included the Dutch Parliament's Head of Information Services, Andre van der Meer and the Head of Information Services at the House of Commons Library, Edward Wood.