We’re thrilled to be hosting an event at SCVO’s The Gathering 2025, which is being held at the EICC in Edinburgh. This year, we’re focusing on global citizenship!
No matter your organisation’s mission, every voice in the voluntary sector has a role to play in building a fairer world. Join us for an inspiring session where we’ll dive into our shared responsibilities to each other, our neighbours around the world and the planet. Discover how embracing diverse cultures, perspectives, and ways of life both in our own communities and around the world can add depth and purpose to our work. We’ll share powerful examples of global citizenship across Scotland and how global collaboration can drive positive change, building a kinder, more just, and sustainable Scotland—and world—for everyone.
Speakers:
Professor Angela O’Hagan, Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission
Madison Safdari – Urban Planner and Women’s and Refugee Rights Advocate
Other speakers tbc.
Find out more here!
Speaker bios:
Professor Angela O’Hagan
Angela O’Hagan was most recently Professor of Equality and Public Policy at Glasgow Caledonian University where she created the current MSc in Human Rights and previously led the MSc in Citizenship and Human Rights. She was also Deputy Director of the WISE Centre for Economic Justice.
Her career encompasses leadership roles in the community and statutory sectors in Scotland, including as Director of Carers Scotland, and Head of Campaigns and Communications with Oxfam Scotland, after a period with the Equal Opportunities Commission.
Throughout her career Professor O’Hagan has focused on integrating equality and human rights analysis in public policy, policy analysis and service design. She has served on a number of advisory and project groups with successive Scottish Governments including currently as the independent chair of the Equality and Human Rights Budget Advisory Group, a member of the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls, and previously as a member of the Commission on Local Tax Reform.
Professor O’Hagan has an international profile, particularly in gender and human rights budgeting, and through membership of academic and civil society networks. In 2019, she was awarded the Jo Cox Award for Public Service and Activity Citizenship by the Political Studies Association.
Madison Safdari
My name is Madison Safdari. I am an Afghan Women Scholar at the University of Dundee. I recently graduated with an MSc in Spatial Planning with Sustainable Urban Design.
I was born and raised in a refugee environment, my passion for architecture and urban planning stems from my journey as an Afghan woman navigating the challenges of living in male-dominated societies. I aim to continue advocating for all Afghan women and elevate their voices for a better future.
Throughout my academic and personal life, I have sought to bridge the gap between design and social justice, focusing on creating sustainable, inclusive spaces that foster long-term resilience. During my time at Dundee, I worked on transformative projects, including collaborating with Angus Council to explore the expansion of rural settlements in Scotland to address the housing crisis. My experience as a Co-Production Assistant, where I worked closely with local communities in Perth, further honed my skills in community engagement and participatory design.
I have joined the Wheatley Group as a Project Support Officer, where I am applying my skills professionally to provide safe and sustainable homes for communities across Scotland.
