You can watch a live broadcast of the Forum at www.holyrood.tv
Programme
The Scottish Diaspora Forum will take place in the Scottish Parliament on 25th July 2009
8.15am – Registration
9.15am – Welcome by the Presiding Officer, Alex Fergusson MSP
9.20am – Short address by Mike Russell MSP Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution
9.30am – Introduction to keynote speaker and panel debate
9.35am – Keynote speaker: Professor Tom Devine “Scots, a Global Diaspora”
10.05am – Panel debate: Supported by Walkers
” We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civillisation”Voltaire: Is Scotland living on the laurels of the past or can there be a new Scottish Enlightenment? If so, how critical is the Scottish diaspora to achieving this?
Panel:
- The Rt Hon the Lord (David) Steel of Aikwood KT KBE – First Presiding Officer of The Scottish Parliament
- Richard Holloway- Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival 2009
- Professor Tom Devine – World expert on diaspora studies
- Dr Louise Richardson – Principal of St Andrews University (Irish Diaspora)
- Dr Rabinder Buttar – Chief Executive ClinTec International Ltd/ Scottish Businesswoman of the Year (Indian Diaspora)
11.15am – Break
11.45am- 1.30pm “The Dragon’s Glen” Supported by Glenfiddich
“In today’s global village, Scotland is not just a country of 5 million people. It is a community of 40 million people.” Sell me a plan which brings them together for mutual benefit.
Dragons:
- The Rt Hon George Reid – Second Presiding Officer of The Scottish Parliament
- Fraser Doherty – MD Eat Super LTD
- Joyce McMillan – Journalist
- Bill Gordon – Entrepreneur and great great grandson of William Grant
Pitchers:
- Jim Naughtie – Journalist and Presenter
- Professor Jim Hunter – Leading historian and author
- Alan MacFarlane – CEO Walter Scott Investments
- Lesley Riddoch – Journalist and Broadcaster
- Gus Noble – President of Illinois St Andrews Society