Category Archives: Co-operatives

New Lanark – Spinning New Lives

I was recently in New Lanark to attend the launch of a new book which takes its inspiration from the history of the famous village. The novel, from local author C.A Hope, is an historical fiction set in the times of David Dale, … Continue reading

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Fairtrade Fortnight

Over the last two weeks, events have been taking place the length and breadth of the country to mark Fairtrade Fortnight. The annual celebrations, coordinated by the Fairtrade Foundation, highlight the range of products available and the benefits that they … Continue reading

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Community Energy Event – 4 March 2013

At the start of next month, I am hosting an event in my local office to give groups the chance to learn about community energy projects. The event will offer the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Fintry Development Trust which … Continue reading

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Land Reform Views Sought

Earlier this week I was in Dumfries attending a seminar on land reform organised by the Land Reform Review Group. The group was established by the Scottish Government to investigate how land reform can enable more people in communities across Scotland … Continue reading

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The Truth About Youth

Earlier this month I hosted an event in Parliament celebrating the Truth About Youth project. The project, which is funded by the Co-operative Foundation and operated in Scotland by Young Scot, challenges negative misconceptions that many people have about young people.  … Continue reading

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Celebrating Scotland’s relationship with Malawi

In the build up to the bicentenary of the birth of David Livingstone next year, the Parliament this week debated the special relationship between Scotland and Malawi. The link between the two countries dates back to Dr Livingstone’s journey to … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Co-operatives, Debates in Parliament, Economy, Education, Energy, Fair Trade, Farming, Health, Human Rights, Justice, Renewable Energy | Leave a comment

Supporting Credit Union Day

Earlier this month I attended a reception in Parliament celebrating the work of credit unions across Scotland. Credit Unions are financial co-operatives that offer a range of services including savings accounts, loans and mortgages.  While credit unions offer many of … Continue reading

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Supporting Fairtrade Fortnight

Last week I attended two events promoting fairtrade as the annual Fairtrade Fortnight campaign (27 February to 11 March 2012) drew to a close. Firstly, I was in Penicuik for the launch of Fairtrade Penicuik, an organisation dedicated to achieving fairtrade … Continue reading

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Greater support needed for cooperatives

Earlier this month, Parliament welcomed the launch of the UN International Year of Cooperatives with a debate and evening reception. As a member of the cooperative group of MSPs I was delighted to take part in the debate and afterwards … Continue reading

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My Green Dream

Last week the Parliament was visited by the Green Dreams campaign. The campaign has been set up to give voice to the dreams of thousands of individuals for a more sustainable future ahead of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development … Continue reading

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