Report to the People
Greenock’s Links with Scandinavia
We hear a lot at this time of year about politicians leaving Scotland.
But we are less aware of the many politicians who are visiting our shores. The Scottish Parliament has recently welcomed political leaders from South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and Catalonia, anxious to build on long established relationships within the context of the new Scottish Parliament.
And last week it was Greenock’s turn. We welcomed a group of Danish MPs who were here to develop their language skills at the James Watt College Waterfront Campus.
But Greenock’s links to Scandinavia are not only political and academic.
I was interested to learn that the Council regularly provides work placements and internships for students from abroad. Indeed, next year they hope to return the favour by allowing some of our apprentices to study and work in Scandinavia.
And of course local football fans will remember ex-Morton manager, Hal Stewart and his Viking raids in reverse on the Scandinavian leagues of the 60s. Long before greats such as Brian Laudrup and Henrik Larsson graced a Scottish pitch, players like Kai Johansen and Erik Sorensen were household names.
When taking a break from their studies, the MPs spoke enthusiastically to me about the warm welcome they received (and in particular of their visit to the RAF Club in Ardgowan Square to play bingo). Although, as they are facing a General Election in a matter of months, our discussions inevitably turned to politics.
Unsurprisingly, the big issues facing Danish communities sound remarkably familiar – drugs, jobs, schools and health care.
These are global issues facing communities throughout the world. Giving their children a good education is as important to parents in Cartsdyke as it is to parents in Copenhagen.
It is, I believe, important for politicians who face the same problems in different settings to meet and share ideas. By doing this we give ourselves the best chance of addressing these universal issues.
Indeed, as Cllr Margaret Morrison said when welcoming the MPs at a Civic Reception last Monday afternoon:
"An important skill for those of us who have the privilege of being elected to represent our fellow women and men is the ability to speak for others. But it is even more important that we are able to listen and understand. It seems to me that as technological and political developments make our world smaller, the skills of communication will be needed even more by those of us involved in education and politics."
How true.
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