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Forewords
Robert Brown MSP
Deputy minister for education and young people
Education in Scotland should help our young people to live as responsible citizens in a multi-faith, multi-cultural country. Scottish schools work very well together in a variety of formal and informal ways. Many linkages exist, for example between primary and secondary schools and special and mainstream schools. Twinning of schools, such as between schools in different countries, has been around for a long time, and supports the work of schools in broadening the experiences, knowledge, and understanding of young people. Twinning between denominational and non-denominational schools is one part of this wider role for schools, and means schools working together voluntarily to break down real and perceived barriers, and give young people the opportunity to build friendships and better understand each other's backgrounds.
Twinning between denominational and non-denominational schools is also an important element in the Scottish Executive's work to tackle sectarianism. It has benefits for young people, schools, and the wider community. It also has a real benefit for Scotland - young people who have the necessary values, attitudes, and understanding to build a Scotland free of sectarian bigotry.
In May I spoke at a seminar on twinning between denominational and non-denominational schools, jointly hosted by the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Catholic Education Service, and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. I saw many excellent examples of twinning work, some of which feature in this publication. It is great to see the variety and range of approaches to twinning work already happening across Scotland.
We are committed to promoting and supporting twinning between denominational and non-denominational schools. Many schools already undertake twinning activities. I hope that those considering such a step for the first time will learn from the experiences of others, consider what approaches might be effective in their own areas, and begin this valuable work in their own schools and communities.
Robert Brown MSP
Cardinal O'Brien
I can think of many fine examples of schools twinning and working together in my own diocese and across Scotland. Through my work with the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, I have seen schools working together both to respond to emergency appeals, and to commit themselves over periods of years to supporting their fellow citizens in other parts of the world. Each of us is responsible for distancing ourselves from bigotry, prejudice, and intolerant attitudes, and schools have their part to play in this by reaching out to their neighbours. Together with my brother Bishops, I therefore encourage all Catholic schools to renew their efforts to build effective partnerships with their school neighbours in teaching the values of dignity and compassion, forgiveness and mercy, tolerance and peace, humility and gentleness, for the benefit of all young people, and of Scottish society at large.
Cllr Rev Ewan Aitken
Assumptions are dangerous things. One of the great things about twinning between denominational and non-denominational schools is that it challenges all those involved, both young people and adults, to question our assumptions, and learn more about those around us. Twinning gives young people the opportunity to push boundaries and challenge the barriers that we sometimes allow to keep us apart: they need space, and our support, to enable them to do that. School twinning is one important action we can take to tackle sectarianism and help all of us, including young people, to discover our common humanity.
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