Shona Robison MSP, Minister for the Commonwealth Games and Sport, has spoken of Glasgow's rich multi-cultural assets during a visit to the African and Caribbean Network (ACN) based in the Merchant City. Ms Robison was addressing the ACN annual conference following an invitation from Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow, who is a longstanding patron of the organisation.

Mr Doris has championed the role that the ACN and other community organisations have in developing links with other countries and cultures in advance of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The SNP MSP commented: "I am delighted the Minister was able to accept my invitation to visit the African and Carribean Centre. Located in Glasgow's Merchant City, the Centre has a real opportunity to be a cultural hub for Glaswegians who hail from Africa and the Carribean, and to also provide a warm welcome for visitors to the country from those parts of the world. We are all in agreement about the importance of welcoming visitors before, during and after the 2014 Games, be they athletes, their families or spectators and the centre is well-placed to provide that."

Ms Robison used the event to highlight the opportunities for the Network to engage positively with visitors to Scotland from Africa and the Carribean, and to develop further social and cultural links

Ms Robison added: "With the Namibian and Zambian teams for the Olympics in London using training facilities in Glasgow ahead of the 2012 Games, the African & Carribean Network, and their Centre in Glasgow's Merchant City have a unique opportunity to extend a warm welcome to the athletes and their families. I very much hope the Network will build on 2012 as Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games draws closer and help showcase the cultural diversity of our city in a positive way".

The Minister was shown round the venue by members of the Network including Graham Campbell, development coordinator for the African and Caribbean network.

Mr Campbell said: "We had a tremendous response on the day from representatives of many of the African and Caribbean communities in Glasgow. The support and encouragement from the Commonwealth Games Minister and Martin Reynolds from Glasgow 2014 alongside the ongoing support from Bob Doris MSP definitely helped to energise everyone as we move forward to develop the African Caribbean Centre.

"Our aim is for this centre, in the heart of the Merchant City, to be recognised as the place to be for anyone interested in African and Caribbean culture whether they live here or are just visiting. With so many Commonwealth countries set to visit Glasgow in the run up to 2014, we believe we have a bright future ahead of us."

Notes:

1.    About the African Caribbean Network The ACN is an umbrella organisation for several community groups, which serves to represent Scotland's African and Caribbean community maximising their integration and combatting discrimination.

2.    African Caribbean Network Glasgow motion:

That the Parliament commends the work of the African Caribbean Network based in Glasgow's Merchant City, an umbrella organisation for several community groups, which serves to represent Scotland's African and Caribbean community, maximise their integration and combat discrimination by raising awareness of issues; notes with pride that the Namibian and Zambian teams for the 2012 Olympic Games have chosen to train in facilities in Glasgow; recognises that this represents an opportunity to develop links between Scotland and African and Caribbean countries and peoples across the world, particularly in advance of the 2014 Commonwealth games and believes that organisations such as the African Caribbean Network play a vital role as cultural ambassadors for Glasgow and Scotland in welcoming visitors to our shores to enjoy sporting occasions.

3.    Extract from Chamber

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=6329&;i=57793&c=1208131

Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the 2014 Commonwealth games in Glasgow offers an opportunity to promote multiculturalism in Scotland. (S4O-00100)

The Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport (Shona Robison): The Scottish Government is committed to creating a vibrant, multicultural one Scotland and to using the 2014 games to bring communities together and make stronger links across the Commonwealth. As part of the curriculum for excellence, we are already using the games to provide an excellent context for learning and to enable young people to develop as responsible global citizens.

Bob Doris: I work with many communities from various ethnic origins in Glasgow as part of my constituency casework. Recently, I worked with the African and Caribbean community in Glasgow. I should declare an interest, as I am a referee for a live funding application for the African and Caribbean Network. It would be delighted if the minister would come along and visit its centre in Glasgow to see what worthwhile role it could play in promoting multiculturalism and getting a legacy for the diaspora from the 2014 Commonwealth games.

Shona Robison: I am certainly keen that all communities in Glasgow-and, of course, throughout Scotland-are as involved as possible with all aspects of the Commonwealth games. I am keen that the African and Caribbean community is also involved in that, and I would be delighted to visit the centre in Glasgow to hear more about the African and Caribbean Network's work.