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Scotland wants 'active' international role
06/10/2007
The Scottish Government will reaffirm its commitment to International Development.
External Affairs Minister Linda Fabiani, who has responsibility for International Development, today met representatives of some of the poorest communities in the world at this year's Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) supporters' conference.
Ms Fabiani said:
"Our commitment to international development is long term. Scotland is a responsible nation and should play an active role internationally. We have strong links with other countries, many of which would benefit from aid, and we want to help.
"That is why we have already pledged to double the International Development budget over the life of this Parliament and will continue working with Malawi. This will be done within the context of a policy review to ensure the Fund is well targeted.
"We acknowledge the key role SCIAF and its many individual supporters play in International Development. I'm delighted to meet with SCIAF's partners from across Africa, Asia and Latin America today to learn more about their impressive projects worldwide. I look forward to working with SCIAF and others in the future to help towards our shared goal of alleviating poverty in some of the poorest areas in the world."
Paul Chitnis, SCIAF's Chief Executive, said:
"This conference is an important opportunity for the Minister to hear first-hand accounts from community leaders in some of the most impoverished countries in the world such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Haiti, and India. We are delighted that Linda Fabiani will meet our international visitors and will set out the role the Scottish Government will play in supporting development and fighting global poverty."