Hopes for Malawi outlined at Scotland-Malawi Partnership Conference
106/2005 | 4 November 2005
Presiding Officer George Reid, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, His Excellency Dr Bingu wa Mutharika and First Minister Jack McConnell |
Delegates have been outlining their hopes on what can be done to tackle the challenges facing the African Republic of Malawi at a conference organised by the Scotland-Malawi Partnership in the Scottish Parliament.
The two-day conference got under way in Holyrood’s Main Chamber today with opening addresses from the Partnership’s two Co-Presidents, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and the President of Malawi, His Excellency Dr Bingu wa Mutharika, followed by First Minister, Jack McConnell.
Around 200 delegates, including political, academic and media representatives from Malawi, are participating in the event. The major conference is the last in a series of nine Africa-related events to take place in the Scottish Parliament this year.
In his opening address, Presiding Officer George Reid, the conference chair, spoke of the people of Scotland’s commitment to helping Africa. He said:
“Before the G8 summit at Gleneagles, the people spoke out strongly. Around 250,000 marched through the streets of this capital city to help end poverty in Africa. The bagpipes of Scotland sounded together with the drums of Africa.
“Since then, we have had a whole series of events in this Chamber – in partnership with the Commission for Africa, and with voluntary organisations north and south – on how we can engage meaningfully and help the process of sustainable development.
“We have concentrated on Malawi. Another small country in a great big world, with whom we share 150 years of history, culture and faith.”
The Presiding Officer added: “We want to learn from each other, in a spirit of mutual respect.
“We want to be clear that we shall work in a spirit of transparency. And that we are in for the long haul – that this is a work not of months, or years, but decades.”
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Co-President of the Scotland-Malawi Partnership, said:
“I am delighted to have been asked to help open this conference. The Scotland-Malawi Partnership is to be congratulated for marking the year of Africa with such a timely and ambitious event.
“Malawi is important to Scotland. There is a long history behind the relationship and it is as relevant today as it ever was.
“From the volunteer teachers, doctors and engineers to the many other people who so freely give their time to work with Malawi; all of these experiences demonstrate the high regard in which the people of Malawi and Scotland hold each other.
“This conference gives the opportunity to both donors and recipients to share their concerns and produce a better co-ordinated response to more people, more of the time.”
President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika, Co-President of the Scotland-Malawi Partnership, said the conference was “a unique opportunity to discuss the economic and social crisis facing Malawi.”
He added: “The co-operation agreement [between Scotland and Malawi] marks another chapter in our relations.
“We are now building on the past. I hope the issues [facing Malawi] will be fully discussed, and that a new path will emerge where collaboration and cooperation between the two countries will be strengthened.”
The Malawian President made history on Thursday when he became the first foreign Head of State to address the Scottish Parliament in its new setting at Holyrood.
Following this morning’s opening addresses, the conference welcomed two speakers, Rob Rozenburg, the European Commission’s Development Directorate General, and Thandika Mkandawire, Director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
Mr Rozenburg spoke on a range of issues including EU decision making and funding, key policy areas, and the G8 summit.
He was followed by Mr Mkandawire, who discussed issues including accountability, corruption, and the media’s portrayal of Malawi.
The conference concludes tomorrow (Saturday) with plenary sessions in the Main Chamber on Infrastructure, Growth and Poverty Reduction; Aid, Trade, Debt and Investment and Accountability, Media and Civil Society.
The event will finish with delegates drawing up their conclusions and recommendations on Malawian development, with a closing address from Rt Hon Sir David Steel KT, Chairman, Conference Planning Committee.
Photo and broadcast opportunities
The Parliament’s photography team has been taking pictures throughout the day. Images can be obtained free of charge from the team on 0131 348 6269.
Footage of the event is available to broadcasters. Any requests for footage should be addressed to the Parliament’s Broadcasting unit on 0131 348 5148.
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