Tag: First Minister

First Minister appointed UN Women Global Advocate

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been appointed the inaugural #HeForShe Global Advocate by UN Women, with the Scottish Government becoming signatories to the UN Women’s global solidarity movement for gender equality which engages men and boys as advocates for equality.

As a Global Advocate, the First Minister has pledged to make concrete commitments to advancing gender equality around the world and support UN Women in their work to end global gender inequality.

The announcement was made during a meeting with the Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, in New York.

The First Minister also announced a new pilot project to reduce rates of early and child marriage in rural areas of Malawi as part of a further Scottish Government partnership with UN Women.

She confirmed funding of £113,000 for the UN Women Malawi project ‘WeLearn – A Virtual Skills School Pilot’ as part of her North America programme.

The project will empower young women and girls with information, skills and support networks to reduce social and economic isolation. It will also educate the wider community, and members of both sexes, about gender inequalities and the damaging impact child marriage has on a young person’s education.

The First Minister said: “Progressing gender equality supports a basic human right and will help people flourish and reach their full potential, which will ultimately create a wealthier and fairer society.”

“Gender equality and a commitment to education are fundamental shared values. I want to ensure Scotland is a good global citizen, supporting the UN’s Goals both at home and in our partner countries, including Malawi.

“Malawi has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, mostly affecting girls with less education and in rural areas. The Scottish Government will do everything we can to tackle the injustices and hardships faced by many young girls and women around the globe.

“The Scottish Government has signed up to the UN’s #HeForShe campaign because it is vital we continue to make progress with gender equality. I am honoured to have been asked to be their first Global Advocate.”

UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said: “It is my honour to announce today Her Excellency Ms. Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, as an inaugural HeForShe Global Advocate for Gender Equality. The First Minister is already leading the way in her own government with a gender balanced cabinet. 

“So, she is in a unique position to now galvanize the men and boys of Scotland to further advance gender equality, with a strong focus on youth. UN Women is delighted to partner with the First Minister to drive meaningful, lasting change and a more equal world for all.”

First Minister’s Christmas message

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has wished everyone in Scotland a very Merry Christmas and expressed her thanks to emergency services and NHS staff who are working over the festive period.

New taskforce to lead on Human Rights

A taskforce will be set up to take forward recommendations from the First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership.
The announcement was made by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Human Rights Day, as the group published their final report, with seven recommendations to ensure Scotland is an international leader in building a rights-based society.
Welcoming the report and its ambition for Scotland, the First Minister said: “I set up the Advisory Group to offer advice on how we can further enhance human rights, as I wanted to ensure Brexit does not harm human rights in Scotland and that we remain in step with future advances in EU human rights. I also asked for recommendations to ensure Scotland is an international leader in respecting and enhancing human rights.
“I share the ambition in this report that Scotland should introduce a human rights statutory framework and I support their recommendation that this should be done through public engagement, working across the public sector, civic society and parliament. As a first step I will establish a National Taskforce, early in 2019, to progress these plans.
“It is fitting that the report is published as we celebrate Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the signing the UN Declaration of Human Rights. I would like to thank Professor Alan Miller and all members of the group for their work and hope they continue to support efforts to deliver the human rights that will improve lives.”
The full report can be found below and is available online.

First-Ministers-Advisory-Group-on-Human-Rights-Leadership-Final-report-for-publication

May tells Sturgeon: “Listen to the voices”

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged Prime Minister Theresa May to change course to avoid an “utterly disastrous” no-deal Brexit if the Prime Minister’s plans are rejected by MPs in a crunch vote on 11 December – but Theresa May says the First Minister should listen to Scotland’s business leaders. Continue reading May tells Sturgeon: “Listen to the voices”

Remembrance Day service: Scotland says thank you

Frank Ross, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, was joined by the Right Honourable Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister of Scotland, and fellow politicians, as well as members of the Armed Forces community, for a ceremony at the Stone of Remembrance to mark Remembrance Sunday and 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that would lead to the end of the First World War. Continue reading Remembrance Day service: Scotland says thank you

Reading Challenge now open to all pupils

Challenge expands to include secondary schools

The First Minister’s Reading Challenge is now open to all pupils across primary and secondary schools in Scotland.

Secondary schools, libraries and community groups can now register to take part in the challenge which has been running in primary schools since 2016 and is delivered by Scottish Book Trust.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launched the third year of the challenge at Renfrew High School, one of the secondary schools that took part in a pilot last year.

She said: “I set up the First Minister’s Reading Challenge to instil a love of reading from an early age. Reading not only opens up a whole new world of adventure, but also helps develop and improve children’s literacy.

“The evaluation of the programme showed it has been well received by pupils, schools and parents in primary schools.   It is important we build on that enthusiasm and encourage young people to continue reading as they progress through their education into secondary school.

“Registration for this year’s challenge is now open and I’m looking forward to seeing pupils from P1 to S6 getting involved.”

Headteacher of Renfrew High School Billy Burke said: “We were delighted to participate in the secondary pilot of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge and I have been hugely impressed by how our young people have embraced the opportunity.

“Particularly through the outstanding work of our school library with a variety of external partners, we have developed a vibrant culture of creativity and reading for pleasure throughout the school.

“Literacy unlocks the wider curriculum, and it is fantastic to see our pupils enjoying, embracing and leading in this area of their learning.”

Edinburgh Northern & Laith MSP Ben Macpherson has welcomed the announcement. He said: “The First Minister’s Reading Challenge is a great opportunity to get more children and young people excited about reading. 

“With the increasing use of smartphones and computers, it is more important than ever that we promote reading and its power to accelerate learning and boost attainment.

“Following the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for School Libraries announced last week, the Reading Challenge is a great chance for schools and other groups to join a national reading movement.

“I encourage all schools, libraries and reading groups in the constituency to get involved.”

Registration for the First Minister’s Reading challenge is now open

The First Minister’s Reading Challenge is delivered through Scottish Book Trust, funded by the Scottish Government.

995 schools registered for the challenge last year with 235,000 children taking part.

The evaluation of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge is available online.