Background
In the eighteen months to June 1999, a nation-wide process called People & Parliament engaged over 450 groups of people in discussion about how the parliament might work in ways which honour the values and aspirations of those living in Scotland.
The overriding message expressed was a desire for all equally to be at the heart of decision-making - a renewal of participative democracy. In particular, groups from black and ethnic minority communities in Scotland feared that 'business as usual' would continue to feed the poison of racism and their marginalisation from society.
At the same time, the process raised voices of hope. Many groups pointed to the importance of raising awareness of the relationships between place, belonging and identity in constructing a healthy participatory democracy.
People & Parliament presented its conclusions just as the May 1999 elections confirmed that no black and ethnic minority groups would be amongst MSPs. Thus People & Parliament pointed to the need for continuing work focusing particularly on the role of ethnic minorities in the post-devolution Scotland.
Process
Embracing Multicultural Scotland (EMS) builds on the People & Parliament experience and was developed in recognition that black and ethnic minority people in Scotland are in serious danger of being overlooked by the new, white Parliament. The project draws upon Scottish cultural heritage showing the wealth of tradition waiting to provide a foundation for true multiculturalism.
EMS aims to facilitate greater participation of black and ethnic minority people in Scottish democratic processes, enriching debate on genuine multiculturalism and ensuring action on racism.
27 groups comprising 108 grass-roots people have engaged in EMS forums. Participants came from range of black and ethnic minority backgrounds including Filipino, Senegalese, Pakistani, Chinese, Nigerian, Malaysian, Indian, Lithuanian, Bangladeshi and Traveller. Participants were contacted largely through Edinburgh based black and ethnic minority organisations with a small number from Glasgow and Stirling.
Discussion within the forums was shaped by participants' responses to 4 questions:
Question One:
How would you describe your individual identity?
Question Two:
What gives you a sense of belonging in Scotland?
What prevents you from having a sense of belonging in Scotland?
Question Three:
Imagine that it is now the year 2020 and Scotland has become a
truly multicultural society. What has changed and how is it now
truly multicultural?
Question Four:
What should the Scottish Parliament do to work with you to achieve
this vision?
In asking people to think deeply about these issues, and by reporting on the responses EMS has endeavoured to raise awareness of the groups' values, concerns and vision for a multicultural democracy at community and Parliament levels.
A summary of the key issues raised in response to the EMS questions follows. These were central to the development of this briefing. It concludes with clear, achievable Action Points that can be implemented by the Parliament to demonstrate its commitment to tackling racism and to developing an inclusive, participatory democracy.