Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has hailed the launch of new think tank, the Scottish Council for Global Affairs (SCGA), at an event in London today [13 June 2022]
The Secretary of State spoke at an event hosted by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) at its historic Lancaster House venue - giving top global affairs experts from Scotland an opportunity to meet with representatives of governments from all over the world.
The Secretary of State is proud the UK Government is supporting the newly-formed SCGA, which was launched in April by the University of Glasgow, University of St Andrews, and the University of Edinburgh.
Its aim is to provide and develop expertise on international issues, and forge new partnerships with civil society and the business community across the UK.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:
I was delighted to speak at the London launch of the new Scottish Council on Global Affairs at the Foreign Office's Lancaster House.
The creation of a new Scottish international affairs think tank is hugely significant. Led by three of Scotland's world-renowned universities, the SCGA will harness the very significant expertise of Scotland's higher education sector, and provide independent analysis and a trusted space for debate and dialogue.
The UK Government is proud to help the SCGA get off to a flying start by hosting this networking event with key international affairs experts from across the UK and the world. I wish it the very best and look forward to seeing its contribution to the public policy debate on global issues.
The FCDO has announced £10,000 of funding for the organisation, which also receives funding support from the Scottish Government.
Diplomats from countries including Australia, Germany, Italy and Spain were amongst those meeting with the Scottish academics at the event held at Lancaster House.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Minister Vicky Ford said:
The UK Government's funding for the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and hosting of this event at Lancaster House reaffirms our commitment to the successful launch of this important new non-partisan think tank.
The FCDO looks forward to engaging closely with the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, which will harness Scottish universities' significant global affairs expertise to help the UK to make its mark on shaping a better world.
The SCGA will provide a non-partisan hub
