Diversity and inclusivity  

Over the past year, our online and hybrid events have continued to be strengthened and enriched by the high degree of participation of Malawians in Malawi and members of the diaspora in Scotland, both as speakers and contributors.

The SMP has undertaken a variety of work during this period on equity, diversity and inclusion (including consideration of racial justice and decolonisation) which has relevance for advancing mutual understanding. This has included the ‘People to People’ podcast series, cultural activities around David Livingstone’s legacy and Prof Samson Kambalu’s artwork, and a series of discussions around equity and diversity.

In September ‘21, we were thrilled to partner with ‘Take One Action’ film festival to help enable the inspiring new feature-length documentary, ‘The Ants and the Grasshopper’ to be shown on-demand online and in cinemas in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. At the end of the film there was a discussion on stage about the themes in the film in which the SMP, as a sponsor, was invited to speak. The SMP gave its speaking place for each of the screenings across Scotland to local Malawi diaspora representatives to share their insight, reflections and perspectives.

Similarly, when the SMP was invited to give evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, as part of its review of Climate Justice work, the SMP gave its place to Muthi Nhlema of BaseFlow in Malawi, as there was no global south speakers on the panel. Muthi gave far more compelling and relevant testimony than the SMP would have been able to and we are pleased to have ensured that Malawi was directly represented.

In our 9th February event on Equity, Diversity & Inclusivity, co-designed by and co-hosted with MaSP, we heard from the Malawi Human Rights Commission’s work, the Nyasa Rainbow Alliance (perhaps the only LGBT+ representative group in Malawi), as well as a Diversity and Inclusion Consultant at ENABLE Works and Councillor Graham Campbell, a veteran political campaigner & community activist. Following this event, the SMP has supported new conversations between potential groups supporting LGBT+ rights. LGBT+ links were also explored through the SMP’s ‘People to People Podcast’, listening to a range of different voices in Malawi and Scotland. 

Speaking of the co-hosted SMP & MaSP Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity event: 

“I got to learn of different interventions the partnership is implementing in Malawi. I got to learn how we can integrate equity and inclusion in our interventions. I also got to appreciate the social discrimination experienced by the LGBT group and how we can help promote and sensitize the community regarding their rights.”  Chisomo Madula, WaterAid Malawi   

We were also particularly pleased that in 2021-22 a former recipient of Scottish Government SMP David Livingstone Scholarship, Overstone Kondowe, became Malawi’s first ever MP with albinism.  This was hailed as ‘giant step forward’ in the Malawian and international press.