‘Scotland’s Future – Something Worth Talking About’
A guest post by William Duguid from Independence Forum Scotland
As its residents are well aware, Perth is an exciting place to be. That’s going to prove particularly true in about a week’s time, when Independence Forum Scotland brings its Summer Convention on Scotland’s Future to the Salutation Hotel in the city on Saturday 14 June.
Image Source: Robin Fernandes
It’s our second such gathering, coming hard on the heels of the inaugural Edinburgh event in March, which will be a hard act to follow. To guide us, we’ve had excellent feedback from the participants that day, including valuable suggestions on logistical aspects, such as clarity of messaging, audibility in a crowded space and having a variety of approaches to topics.
Our programme for 14 June will be more streamlined than before, with a slightly shorter day, a less crowded timetable, and more in-depth focus on the topics under discussion. There’ll be plenty of scope for group discussions at their various tables, and of course ample opportunities to network!
We’ll open with a discussion, led by Stuart McHardy and Roger Emmerson, with the working title ‘Wha’s Like Us?’, looking at Scottish identity from the point of view espoused by Hamish Henderson - that culture leads politics, not the other way round.
Stuart and Roger will outline how our history has been distorted, suppressed and perverted by the UK establishment. They’ll certainly get people thinking and talking, and start the day’s proceedings with a bang.
We’ll then have presentations to update us on three areas discussed back in March – Land, Energy and Democracy - including a forward strategy paper from our colleagues at Energy Scotland, with calls for action to the Scottish and UK Governments.
The afternoon will comprise an in-depth discussion of Poverty and the Wellbeing Economy, with an introductory video by William Thomson of Scotonomics and contributions from Common Weal’s own Craig Dalzell, lawyer and activist Eva Comrie, and others.
The topic is huge, and no doubt a single afternoon’s discussion will barely scratch the surface, though we’ll try to ensure that participants emerge a wee bit more informed about the overall issues, the policy options that are currently available, and some more radical potential solutions for Scotland.
The Wellbeing Economy is a term frequently bandied about, but often understood in fairly vague terms, without a clear picture of what it might actually involve. Even the Wellbeing Economy Alliance’s ‘headline’ definition - “A wellbeing economy is an economy designed to serve people and planet, not the other way around” – leaves plenty of room for debate on detail.
So we can expect lively conversations at each of the tables, and in the panel discussion and Q & A with which we’ll round off the topic.
We’d be delighted if you could join us in Perth on 14 June. The Summer Convention is free to attend, but booking is essential. You’ll find a link to an online booking form at https://independenceforum.scot/national-convention/.
We’ll also be happy to answer any questions you may have – just email us at convention@independenceforum.scot.
See you in Perth!