Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Deferred
Require FCDO to publish strategy guiding embassies on promoting Scotland's modern and traditional brand.
Recommendation
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) should publish a strategy, to be circulated across its international diplomatic network, which sets out guidance and expectations for embassies on holding events to mark Scotland’s key dates, St Andrew’s Day and Burns Night. This document should give clear direction on what current UK Departmental (e.g. FCDO, Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland and Department for Business and Trade) priorities are for promoting Scotland internationally, and how both the modern and traditional aspects of the Scottish brand should be incorporated as part of this activity. In its response to this report, the UK Government should agree a definition of the Scottish brand to be advanced by it internationally, followed by annual reporting updates on embassy activity promoting Scotland that has taken place each year. The Committee recognises the interest of successive Scottish Governments in this area which currently resides in the portfolio of Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs—we therefore urge the Scottish Government adopt a similar approach. (Paragraph 18) International Strategy for Scotland
Government Response Summary
The government discusses potential collaboration for Tartan Week 2024 in New York, with detailed plans to be developed, but does not commit to publishing a broader strategy, defining the Scottish brand, or providing annual reporting updates for embassies as recommended.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
Promoting Scotland Internationally 5 The Scotland Office, DBT, Scottish Government in Washington and the FCDO are discussing potential collaboration for Tartan Week 2024 in New York. Discussions have also been held with various Scottish diaspora groups in New York and the New York City authorities. Detailed plans for this will be developed during the autumn/winter 2023. As discussed in paragraph 7, there is wide variation across the global network in terms of how the Scottish brand resonates locally. Posts in our overseas network carry out a wide range of events to promote Scotland internationally and have the local cultural expertise to understand what will work. Tartan Week in New York is a specific event run by diaspora groups which resonates well in the USA. Engaging Scotland’s Global Diaspora