Blog: Time travelling to Scotland 2070

Blog by Lucy Higginson, David Hume Institute

April 2021

Image credit: Photo by Anastasia Petrova free from Unsplash 30.04.2021.

Imagining Scotland in 2070 may feel like another universe, particularly as we are still living in the 2020s time warp where every month can feel like 10. 

For the authors of Scotland 2070 setting out their vision for our children and grandchildren’s generation was crucial in order to get beyond short-term thinking of election-cycle tunnel vision and constitutional questions.

The book sets out 6 ideas for Scotland and discusses the mindset needed to take advantage of new opportunities.

One opportunity opening up because of climate change is a new arctic trade shipping route.  It has the potential to save thousands of days at sea with a new shorter route than through the Suez Canal. Taking advantage of our geographic position on this new global trading passage could bring big opportunities.

Supporting nature and addressing climate change were top priorities emerging from The Action Project, and in Scotland 2070 the stewardship of our land and resources for future generations are key actions.  The authors investigate reforestation and the protection of Scotland’s biodiversity to boost Scotland’s economy, bring crucial rural jobs, and cultivate our global reputation as a leader in climate change. 

For the David Hume Institute the book provided food for thought and a chance to open discussion on a longer time frame.  It was good to hear from Scottish Youth Parliament member, Emily Nix MSYP who will be the same age in 2070 that the authors are now.

Emily highlighted young people want to see better stewardship of Scotland’s natural resources and long-term policy.  But something that needs urgent action is faster progress on access to high speed broadband, especially in rural areas. This is not something that can wait - lack of connectivity is holding some areas of Scotland back, and should be urgently addressed.

These issues came up time and again in research conversations as part of the David Hume Institute’s Action Project, but whilst there was frustration at the speed of progress there has been a huge change in people’s mindsets as we emerge from the crisis. People are no longer willing to return to normal, and have seen through the pandemic the impact they can have on their community and society. 

Everyone has a part to play in building a new vision for 2070 - share yours at WhatsYourAction.scot

It all started by saying yes

Kieran from Fife took part in a David Hume Institute community conversation in November 2020 when he was 14.  He tells us in his own words why we should all listen to young people as equals.

“It started three years ago with saying yes.  I said yes to the chance to be outdoors for two lessons a week at school in a local wood.  Since then I have planted trees and learnt loads and I’ll soon have a qualification in countryside skills.

Being outdoors really helped me and I loved it, so I got involved more at weekends out of school hours.

Last year when the chance came to be involved in a conversation about our area, I said yes again.  I jumped at it.  I was nervous but my teacher and my mum encouraged me.

I didn’t know what it was going to be like, but I care about my local area so wanted to be involved. Too often young people are only asked about things people think are young people things, like school.  Young people get used to not being listened to about community issues so I think that is why more people from my school didn’t say yes to being involved.

The conversation with the David Hume Institute was different.  It was led by Ruth from the Roots programme and there were all sorts of people there.  People in professional roles alongside all different people from the community, including my school bus driver.

Ruth made it clear at the start that we were all there as individuals and all equal.  Some of the older people weren’t as good with technology as me and I could see they were nervous too. Being on Zoom was really good as we were all the same – and Ruth encouraged everyone to speak.  She was strict in not letting anyone dominate the conversation too, everyone got heard not just the loudest voices.

Parks and greenspace came up a lot, as well as litter.  They are all things I care about and have been volunteering to improve.  Some of the older people have now got involved with a project I volunteer on.

I really enjoyed it.  It was interesting to hear what different people thought, especially when their views were different from mine.  We don’t get enough chance to hear people different from us. 

Too often, children and young people’s voices are collected separately or filtered by adults.  Being able to say what I thought and being listened too as an equal should be everyone’s right.  It shouldn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or what age you are.

I enjoyed the conversation so much I have now got involved giving my opinion in other places.  Being heard is powerful and I want more people, no matter what age they are, to experience it.”

Be brave and say yes to being involved. Join Kieran and tell us what you think at WhatsYourAction.scot.

Blog: Who holds the seats of power?

Blog by Susan Murray, David Hume Institute

March 2021

The last few weeks have seen a flood of headlines from around the world about antiquated British views.  It doesn’t matter what you personally think of Meghan Markle or the monarchy, for many international observers this affects their perception of the UK as a progressive, fair and diverse country.

This matters.  Our global reputation has a direct impact on vital parts of our economy, particularly trade and tourism.  And, at a time when the economy is facing the biggest recession on record, we should all be worrying about diversity.

Diversity matters, not only for our economy, but for the strength of our decision making. 

Last year, our Team Scotland research investigated diversity in the top leaders in Scotland; and power featured consistently in our latest research, What’s your action?.  Who has it, who needs it and who needs to cede it, in order for more, and faster, progress to be made?

As we move on from another outpouring of vocal support for equality and diversity after  International Women’s Day, some will be sticking their heads firmly in the sand for another year on the antiquated tradition of primogeniture for the House of Lords. While it’s good news that No.10 is now looking at this issue, its proposals – and that’s all they are at this stage – come ten years after the monarchy embraced equal rights before the birth of Prince George.

Today, there are 92 men in the House of Lords because of hereditary titles. Eleven of these are resident in Scotland. Women cannot hold these seats when families still operate primogeniture for titles.

The debate has been deflected to encourage more women into non-hereditary seats but this ignores the core issue of men gaining significant position of power based on their gender.  Currently there are 223 female peers in total – 28% of the Members of the House of Lords.

The House of Lords has increased significantly in size since the turn of the millennium taking the overall size of the Lords to over 800 members - well above the 600-member cap, and larger than the House of Commons' 650 elected members.

Although hereditary Lords now have less influence than they used to, with one eighth of the chamber reserved for them, they still have influence.  

This interview with Charlotte Carew Pole who founded the campaign Daughter’s Rights unpicks the inequality at the heart of this issue. 

The David Hume Institute listened to over 4,500 people across Scotland.  All of them wanted their voices to be heard.  Power came up again and again in the research, What’s your action? - who has it, who needs it and who needs to cede it, in order for more progress to be made?

Primogeniture is a clear example of structural inequality that needs to be urgently addressed.  The UK cannot class itself as a modern country while this historic male preference continues. Brexit means constitutional changes are back on the table. Weeding out structural inequality should be the first item on the agenda.

If the UK wants to avoid being seen as an antiquated northern backwater, we need to embrace the full benefits of gender diversity or the economy, and society, will suffer.

Blog: Want to change the world? Start by listening

By Lucy Higginson, David Hume Institute

15th March 2021

“We all have something to offer, just some of us have lost the connection with ourselves, so it's hard to talk about what we want...

Why hope and think of ideas when you are ignored anyway.

Taking part made me feel I had something to say and I did.”

‘John’, Clackmannanshire

Across Scotland in 2020, we started conversations; with people in different places, from different backgrounds and with different life and professional experiences. Some had experience of engagement with policymaking but many had never been involved in this kind of conversation before. Some had been involved in past consultations of one sort or another and felt not listened to or disenfranchised by the process or outcome.

From the start, The David Hume Institute pledged that The Action Project would be different.  It had to be about listening.  And, it had to be us working in a way that enabled people to take part beyond the usual suspects.  This meant working with partners to tailor our support to individuals.  It was the difference between equality and equity of involvement.

What resulted was the largest inter-generational research exercise in Scotland in the last 5 years. We worked in partnership with local organisations on conversations with mixed age groups as well as national organisations such as the Children’s Parliament, the Scottish Youth Parliament and U3A groups across Scotland.

What we’ve heard throughout these conversations is disenchantment with politicians and policymaking. Some people felt so disenfranchised they didn’t see any point in voting. Power came up again and again as an issue affecting who gets listened to.

For years now some people have been challenging the phrase “hard to reach”. People are not hard to reach - you just have to make more effort.  It takes time and trust. You might need to adapt your process. But too often this means policy makers do not try hard enough. 

Together with partners, we have been listening to people talk about what actions they would take to make Scotland more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and fair. Throughout these conversations, and echoed in anonymous polling, was the call to be actively kind, to support nature and the environment, and to be conscious with our spending. Irrespective of what the conversations were about, these themes were present again and again.

Diversity is critical. 

For the David Hume Institute, this echoes our research last year into the diversity of Scotland’s leaders. Lack of diversity limits perspective and risks group-think. Businesses are losing out, communities lack representation, and institutions stagnate if we fail to address Scotland’s diversity of thought.

We worked with Angela, from Resonate Together in Clackmannanshire, who has been supporting people in her community to feel listened to for more than 10 years. She summarised this problem:

“The disconnect across communities in Scotland cannot continue. Not only is it exacerbating the inequalities, but it costs us all so much more money and as a forward thinking society, Scotland needs to do better. DHI knew to hear real voices trust was important. Local community connectors, like me, were given support to enable people to connect in a truly authentic way. Building trust within a relationship takes time and is core to 'enabling' a mutual opportunity; dealing with areas of anxiety, depression, lived experience, addiction and so many of the feelings and experiences that a difficult life and environment can bring, are often huge barriers to connecting with others.”

Since October 2020 The Action Project has engaged over 4,500 people on the question of actions we can take. We will continue to reach out to more people through WhatsYourAction.Scot.  Engaging widely and across different demographics as equals has shown an energy for action to help each other that we know is a key to unlocking faster progress.

Throughout this research, the process of conversation has been powerful. All sorts of different people have found, we have more in common than we might have thought.

Share your action and read more on the research at WhatsYourAction.scot

Research shows Scots’ priorities for action post-pandemic

People want to ensure “good” comes out of the pandemic and they are taking action to make that happen. 

The David Hume Institute today launched WhatsYourAction.scot after listening to over 4,500 people across Scotland in the largest inter-generational polling and research exercise in the last 5 years.

The research, which included nationwide polling and group conversations, showed people in Scotland are taking action to be kinder, care for the environment and being more conscious about how and where they spend their money, among a host of other actions.

Everyone has choices every day that can help build forward better.  

The research also showed that individuals and communities are encouraged by hearing about others taking action in their own lives. WhatsYourAction.scot aims to inspire and record some of the actions – big and small - that people across Scotland are taking to make a difference.

Susan Murray, director of David Hume Institute, said:

“Our research clearly shows that people want their lives and communities to be different.  The pandemic has focussed people’s minds on what is important to them.

“People told us their priorities are being kinder, supporting nature and climate change, and making conscious choices with money.  People have realised where they choose to spend money makes a difference to others.

“Many people have good ideas and enthusiasm but sometimes they want to know they are not on their own.   In research conversations, people told us that hearing about the action others have taken encourages and inspires them. 

“We are launching WhatsYourAction.scot so that even more people can share the action they want to take.”

Susan added:

“We want as many people as possible in Scotland to engage with WhatsYourAction.scot. A single action – no matter how big or small can impact on yourself and others. The collective effort of individuals and communities can drive change in the areas that matter most to our society. We can all make a difference.”