This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotland Malawi Joint Commission talks
03/11/2006
The links between Scotland and Malawi are stronger thanks to the first year of the two countries' Co-operation Agreement, First Minister Jack McConnell said today.
He was speaking on the eve of a week long visit by Hon Joyce Banda, Malawi's Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Co-operation, and the Education & Vocational Training Minister the Hon Anna Kachikho.
They are in Scotland to take part in the bi-annual Joint Commission talks which track the progress of the Co-operation Agreement, signed by the First Minister and Malawian President, Dr Bingu wa Mutharika, a year ago today.
The agreement set out four areas for collaboration: health, education, civic governance and sustainable economic development.
Scottish support has helped Bottom Hospital in Lilongwe, provide 24 hour anaesthetic cover and night obstetric cover for the first time ever.
Scottish health professionals have trained around 500 Malawi health professionals in advanced obstetric emergency care.
Joint work is underway between the two countries' Ombudsman offices, and discussions are underway to identify ways to share expertise in the legal and justice sectors.
And since last November, 35 Scottish organisations have received over £5 million to carry out work in Malawi from the government's International Development Fund.
The First Minister said:
"The first year of the Co-operation Agreement has brought the people of Scotland and Malawi closer together than before.
"It has seen our long standing and deep rooted friendship renewed and revitalised to the benefit of both countries.
"It has taken historical ties and turned them into a vibrant relationship which sees people working together and sharing ideas in all sorts of fields like business, education and health care.
"Throughout Scotland new friendships and new links have grown with Malawi. But this is just the first year of an agreement that will stretch long into the future. It is not an agreement that is set in stone, it is something we need to work on, adapt and make sure it changes as our countries change. If we do so our friendship with Malawi will continue to go from strength to strength."
Patricia Ferguson, Minister with responsibility for international development, said:
"Attending the first Joint Commission meeting in Malawi earlier this year, I had the opportunity to see first hand to how Scotland's partnership with Malawi is helping to improve the lives and opportunities of the people.
"The Scottish government's relationship with Malawi is about sharing common experience, working together to tackle problems and helping build a better future for Malawi."
This week also sees the publication of the first issue of the Malawi Newsletter, published by the Executive, to update on progress. This newsletter is being distributed to, amongst others, schools, libraries and churches.
Following the signing of the Co-operation Agreement in November 2005, priorities have been identified and work is underway across all the strands of the agreement. The Joint Commission, the Government to Government group that is overseeing the Co-operation Agreement, will hold its second meeting on Wednesday to review progress on the implementation of the agreement across the four areas.
Programme of Events
(M = Media, P = Private)
Sunday November 5
Delegation arrives in Scotland
Monday November 6 - Sustainable Economic Development
14:30-16:30 Business Sector Briefing at The Great Hall, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Tuesday November 7 - Government & People
11:00-12:30 Enterprising Global Citizenship Event. Details tbc
18:00-19:45 Welcome Reception Mansfield Traquair (P)
Wednesday November 8 - Governance & Health
08:30-09:00 Meeting cabinet Ministers (P)
10:00-11:30 Governance Workshop at the Symposium Hall at the Royal College of Surgeons
11:00 Joint Commission Meeting (P)
12:00-13:30 Lunch hosted by Ethicon at the Royal College of Surgeons Library (P)
14:00-16:00 Joint Commission Meeting at St. Andrew's House
16:45-17:45 Reception at Edinburgh City Chambers (P)
Thursday November 9 - Education
09:00-10:00 Launch of Stenhouse School Leadership Programme & Primary
Teaching Degree for Malawi - Stenhouse School, Edinburgh (M)
10:30-11:30 Deaf Action Project Launch at Albany Street Community Centre (M)
12:00-12:30 Delegation to observe First Minister's Questions at the Scottish Parliament
13:00- 14:00 Lunch at the Parliament hosted by the Presiding Officer (P)
Friday November 10 - Economic Development/ Cultural links
11:15-12:30 Tourism Showcase Event - Moffat Centre in Glasgow (M)
13:00-15:15 Delegation to visit the birthplace of David Livingstone - David Livingstone Centre, Blantyre (M)
17:30-18:30 Reception by the Lord Provost of Glasgow at City Chambers in Glasgow (P)
19:00 Scotland-Malawi Cultural Exchange at the RSAMD Academy Concert Hall, Glasgow (M)
Saturday November 11
Departure from Scotland.