The Alliance welcomes the ongoing Scottish Government Review of its international development programming. We wish the Scottish Government well in its intention to ensure its international budget expenditure choices are driven by the needs of people and communities in their partner countries and by human rights. We supports all the draft principles.
Last week, Jenny Gilruth MSP, Scottish Government Minister of Europe and International Development, gave oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee.
During the oral evidence session, MSPs questioned the Minister on the remit, methodology and timescale of the review following written submissions made to the Committee by a number or organisations, including the Alliance.
Committee members voiced a number of concerns about the consultation process of the review to date, echoing comments made by the Alliance and others that a lack of opportunity for written submissions could be a barrier for some to give their views.
The Committee also welcomed the commitment made by the Minister to bring the findings of the review back to the Scottish Parliament to consider in the new year once the review process has ended.
As part of our own evidence gathering for this review, we now seek written comment or feedback from our members, our members’ partners and other engaged stakeholders on the subject of the review using this simple feedback form. Comments can be anonymised.
At the end of December, we will collate all responses and forward to the Scottish Government.