Scottish and UK political leaders champion importance of partnership in UN Global Goals, celebrating Scotland's links with Malawi

Scottish and UK political leaders champion importance of partnership in UN Global Goals, celebrating Scotland's links with Malawi

Four of Scotland and the UK's most senior political leaders have today joined forces to help promote the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and recognise the strong spirit of dignified partnership which must underpin the implementation of these goals.

The First Minister of Scotland and Secretary of State for Scotland are among those putting political differences aside and voicing support for the SDGs which will be finalized at a global summit in New York this weekend.

Former First Minister, Jack McConnell and the UK Minister of State for International Development, Grant Shapps have also shown support for the SDGs, which are also known as the Global Goals.

Each of these leaders have their own connections with Malawi, like the 94,000 Scots already involved in links with the warm heart of Africa. To highlight the importance of partnership and civic activism in the SDGs, each leader has chosen one SDG of greatest significance to them, and is photographed alongside a friend or partner in Malawi working towards this Goal. CLICK HERE for full resolution photographs of these political leaders with their Malawi partners.

The Scotland Malawi Partnership has also released 17 case studies highlighting community-level partnerships between Scotland and Malawi which are already working towards all 17 goals. CLICK HERE for full resolution photographs of these Scottish community case studies, and HERE for more information on each.

Many experts believe that the Global Goals will only succeed if they can inspire action amongst ordinary people and local communities across the world, and if they can be driven by a sense of meaningful, dignified two-way global partnership.

These values are already alive and kicking in Scotland's long history of internationalism, not least in the historic civic links with Malawi which date back more than 150 years to the travels of Dr David Livingstone.

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, who has a strong interest in the Malawi links, said:

"Scotland was one of the first nations in the world to publically sign up to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, providing international leadership on reducing inequality and tackling poverty.

"The goals offer a vision of the world that I believe people in Scotland share. Many of them chime with what we are already doing to tackle poverty and inequality, not just here but also globally.

"Scotland is a good global citizen, committed to contributing to the international community, opening up horizons and having a positive influence across the globe.

"From the start of our international development programme we have worked in partnership with Malawi. Our Malawi Development Programme funds a number of projects which will contribute to achieving the Goals, from achieving gender equality to combatting climate change."

Nicola Sturgeon has chosen to highlight Global Goal 5, 'Gender Equality'. In the spirit of partnership, she is pictured alongside Hellen Kayira and Eneya Msukwa, two 17-year old students in Karonga, who have benefitted from a Scottish Government funded project in the north of Malawi.

David Mundell, who visited in Malawi in 2013, Secretary of State for Scotland, said:

"The new Global Goals are a tremendous opportunity to tackle some of the world's most difficult problems.

"Sustained and inclusive economic growth is critical for countries like Malawi to escape poverty for good. With help from the UK, farmers are increasing their yields and linking them to profitable markets, and supporting value addition through processing in country will be an important part of Malawi's growth strategy.

"This can only be achieved through a more certain policy environment, and better access to cheaper finance, energy, and transport. The UK's Department for International Development is striving to support Malawi take advantage of this opportunity, with a view to creating decent jobs for all, and a permanent exit from poverty."

David Mundell has chosen to highlight Global Goal 8, 'Decent work and Economic Growth'. In the spirit of partnership, he is pictured alongside Memory Khwiya from CUMO - Concern Universal’s not-for-profit rural microfinance company in Malawi, who are funded by the UK Government through DFID. While David Mundell was in Malawi in 2013 he met with CUMO.

Jack McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland, who signed the Cooperation Agreement almost exactly ten years ago and is a regular visitor to Malawi, said:

"Education has been central to the partnership over the past decade and education remains the best route out of poverty for young people in Malawi and of course in Scotland. That is why the fourth Global Goal: Quality Education for all, is so important to me."

Jack McConnell has chosen to highlight Global Goal 4, 'Quality Education'. In the spirit of partnership, he is pictured alongside Monica Dzonzi, UNICEF Youth Ambassador, who he knows well. Monica began the Queen's Baton Relay for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games from Buckingham Palace and has had active community partnerships with Scotland for a number of years through her local youth group. Jack and Monica watched Malawi's netball team knock out Scotland from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games; but their friendship has endured nonetheless!

Grant Shapps, who visited Malawi soon after becoming an International Development Minister said:

"The new Global Goals are a historic opportunity to end extreme poverty once and for all.

"Britain's strong relationship with Malawi is making a huge difference: we are creating the jobs, growth and life chances people need to build a safer and more prosperous future for themselves.

"Too often the poorest are still held back by a lack of everyday necessities, such as access to healthcare, education or even a decent and reliable power supply. That is why the UK has pushed for a set of goals which address the very root cause of these problems, including access to affordable and renewable energy. This is not only the right thing to do, it is also in Britain’s national interest as we helping to create new markets that our businesses can compete in or tackling the root cause of problems like climate change which would otherwise pose a major risk."

Grant Shapps has chosen to highlight Global Goal 7, 'Affordable and clean energy'. In the spirit of partnership, he is pictured alongside Usizi Jere works for SolarAid in Malawi, who are funded by the UK Government through DFID. Grant Shapps met with the organisation when he visited Malawi earlier this year.

Scotland has a powerful story to tell, and a valuable contribution to make, in helping deliver the Global Goals.

An estimated 46% of Scots personally know someone with a Malawi link. This is a unique whole-nation effort: an example of civic activism and partnership which has gathered significant interest in the UN as the Global Goals are launched.