Alan Duncan urges young Scots to join fight against poverty
International Development Minister Alan Duncan is calling on young people across Scotland to join the global fight against poverty.
He was in Edinburgh today to meet young people who are already involved in international development and are helping to make a difference in some of the world’s poorest countries.
Alan Duncan said:
I’ve been deeply impressed by the enthusiasm, energy and commitment of young people in Scotland who are helping change people’s lives in some of the world’s poorest places.
From building links with schoolchildren in a Tanzanian village to raising awareness of HIV and AIDS in Malawi, the young people I met in Edinburgh can be proud of the impact they are having in developing countries.
Young Scots have a hugely important role to play in helping the UK create a better future for people around the world and I hope that as many as possible take up this challenge.
At Holyrood High School the Minister met students on the UK government-funded Connecting Classrooms programme who have a partnership with Lombeta High School in Tanzania. The students work on joint projects and take part in exchange visits, while teachers work closely to share best practice.
He encouraged pupils to enter DFID’s ‘Shape The Future’ competition which was launched this week by putting forward their best ideas on how the UK Government can make life better for girls and women in developing countries.
He met volunteers from the UK’s International Citizen Service (ICS) scheme, who have all recently returned to Scotland after working on development projects in countries like Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda.
The Minister also heard from Edinburgh-based social enterprise Challenges Worldwide who are part of a consortium of development organisations delivering the new ICS Entrepreneur scheme. ICS Entrepreneur, which has been backed by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, gives Scotland’s most promising young entrepreneurs the chance to learn vital commercial skills while working with small businesses and local entrepreneurs in developing countries.
Notes to editors
- For more information and to enter the Shape The Future competition, visit http://www.globaldimension.org.uk/shapethefuture2014
- To find out more about ICS Entrepreneur or to apply, visit http://www.volunteerics.org
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