Peace Institute
7. Mercedes Villalba
(North East Scotland) (Lab)
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards
the establishment of a peace institute by the end of 2022, as set
out in its 2021-22 programme for government. (S6O-00844)
The Cabinet Secretary for
the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture ()
Following an open tender process in January, we have contracted a
consortium of expert researchers to help inform our thinking on
Scotland’s future peace offer, which will report back to us in
the summer. There has never been a more pertinent time to discuss
Scotland’s approach to peace and reconciliation.
Mercedes
Villalba
The Scottish Government has committed to establishing a peace
institute, with a focus on human rights, by the end of this year.
Amnesty International recently published a report into Israel’s
apartheid against Palestinians.
It includes a
“call on states to immediately suspend the direct and indirect
supply, sale or transfer”
of arms to Israel. Given the human rights abuses that Palestinians
face, will the Scottish Government’s peace institute have the
scope to review the almost £10 million given by Scottish
Enterprise in grants to arms companies that sell weapons to
Israel?
I welcome the input of members from all parties on particular
issues or causes, or about areas in which Scotland’s peace
institute could play a meaningful role. I commend the member—and
anyone else who is involved—for becoming involved in that process
as we consider the form that a peace institute might take. I
encourage the member to get in touch about any issues that she,
or colleagues, feel should be considered as we make preparations
to stand up the planned peace institute.
Gillian Martin
(Aberdeenshire East) (SNP)
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the example set by our
northern European neighbours, such as Norway, illustrates the
positive diplomatic influence that nations of Scotland’s size and
character can have in promoting peace on the world stage?
Norway is home to the Peace Research Institute Oslo, which
explores peaceful relations between states, groups and peoples.
Our research will consider the Norwegian approach and those of
other nations to help us to determine Scotland’s distinct peace
offer.
Like other nations of its size, Scotland has a wealth of soft
power resources—in other words, assets that make us an attractive
and trustworthy partner. The Scottish Government recognises that
a good international reputation is produced by the country as a
whole, and we will continue to collaborate with others to promote
Scotland and our values on the international stage.
