President of Malawi to address MSPs in Parliament's Chamber

102/2005 | 3 November 2005

The President of Malawi, His Excellency Dr Bingu wa Mutharika, will visit the Scottish Parliament today (3 November), where he will address a Meeting of Members in the Debating Chamber.

The Malawian President is also scheduled to observe First Minister’s Question Time and meet with Presiding Officer the Rt Hon George Reid MSP.

The President’s visit will last three days, and include his attendance at the Scotland-Malawi Partnership Conference at Holyrood on Friday and Saturday. The Presiding Officers will chair the conference, which will be officially opened by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal and the President of Malawi, the co-Presidents of the Scotland-Malawi Partnership.

Presiding Officer the Rt Hon George Reid MSP said:

“The people of Malawi face a very uncertain future. I am pleased that one of Malawi’s oldest friends is taking action in her time of need to contribute towards moves to alleviate suffering and potential catastrophe.

“The conference will examine the Commission for Africa’s report and seek to produce outcomes that are practical, sustainable and focussed.

“It is my belief that hosting this conference will provide a platform for real progress that will make a real difference to people’s lives at a time of great need.”

The two-day conference is being held to further strengthen the links between Scotland and Malawi. The event will examine the challenges facing Malawi, and provide a platform for debating solutions.

Delegates will also assess the recommendations made in the Commission for Africa report, published earlier this year in the build-up to the G8 summit at Gleneagles.

The conference is the last in a series of nine Holyrood events focussing on Africa. The programme started in February when six MSPs visited Malawi on behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. In May, Bob Geldof addressed a conference organised to discuss a report published by the Commission for Africa on tackling poverty in the continent, whilst in October, more than 400 delegates gathered to look at how philanthropy can help address modern global issues.

A detailed operational note has been issued:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-05/pa05-100.htm

Further details on Holyrood’s nine Parliamentary events:
11-24 February: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) cross party visit to Malawi and South Africa: Six MSPs visited South Africa and Malawi to meet with Scottish charities and other overseas aid and education organisations working in the continent to see what is being done to:
• Assist with the reduction of poverty;
• Treat and prevent the spread of HIV / AIDS;
• Promote good governance and political transparency;
• Promote free, quality education for all.
17 March: Parliament debates report from CPA visit during Members' Business. The motion of the debate welcomed the work done by the Scottish branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Executive to strengthen ties with other Commonwealth countries, and called on Members to support measures to eradicate poverty and deprivation in Africa. Members also debated the findings in a report by the six MSPs following their visit to Africa.

17 April: Members’ Business Debate on G8 at Holyrood:
27-28 April: International Development Group meet with International Red Cross delegation at Holyrood: Twenty-nine Red Cross delegates from across Europe visited the Scottish Parliament as guests of the Presiding Officer, George Reid, while they were in Edinburgh for the biannual conference of the Red Cross' European Public Support Group, a group which looks at major issues facing communities across the world and discusses possible solutions.
16 May: Africa Conference, Holyrood: The conference was organised by the Scottish Executive and held at the Scottish Parliament to discuss a report published by the Commission for Africa on tackling poverty in the continent. Bob Geldof addressed the conference.
6 June: The G8 International Parliamentarians' Conference on Development in Africa 2005: The conference focussed on HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health issues, and empowering women.

7 August: World Youth Congress event: The event brought together 600 of the world’s most dynamic young people in the fields of social and environmental sustainable development, from over 100 countries.

4 October: Andrew Carnegie Medals of Philanthropy ceremony at Holyrood: Six of the world’s leading philanthropists were presented with the prestigious Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. The ceremony was preceded by six philanthropic workshops attended by more than 400 influential philanthropy figures from across the globe which looked at issues including poverty, health and HIV/AIDS.

4-5 November: Scotland-Malawi Partnership in Parliament.

Pictures of the day

The Parliament’s photography team will be taking pictures throughout the day. Images can be obtained free of charge from the team on 0131 348 6269.

Footage of the day

The event will be broadcast live on Holyrood.tv and footage will be available to broadcasters. Any requests for footage should be addressed to the Parliament’s Broadcasting unit on 0131 348 5148.

The Parliament's media contact is:

Sally Coyne: 0131 348 6265
RNID TypeTalk calls welcome
email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

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