On behalf of BEMIS Scotland board, staff and members we would like to say a huge thank-you to all who attended last night’s St. Andrew’s celebrations at the Multicultural Homecoming 2014 finale.
Scotland in 2014 is culturally confident, dynamic and diverse nation. No better year than 2014 has epitomised this upsurge in confidence than the exciting and seismic events taking place in cultural, sporting and political spheres which showcased Scotland at its best on the world stage.
Among many others, The Commonwealth Games surpassed expectations and the Independence referendum was the catalyst for a national increase in participative, active, democratic citizenship.
As BEMIS experienced during the referendum campaign our diverse cultural and ethnic minority communities did not live in isolation of the broader debate. This has also been reflected within a cultural context via the Multicultural Homecoming programme, a subsidiary of The Year of Homecoming 2014 and a partnership between BEMIS Scotland, Visit Scotland and the Scottish Government.
Throughout 2014, 6,500 diverse citizens engaged within 43 funded projects, across 18 ethnic and cultural minority communities in a series of local and national events to celebrate Scotland’s diversity in 2014.
Last night on the appropriate and significant date of St. Andrew’s Day community representatives, partner organisations and representatives from across civic Scotland including cross party support from the SNP, Labour and Scottish Conservatives converged on Glasgow to celebrate this inaugural Multicultural celebration.
Our cultural and political diversity encapsulates the type of Scotland we aspire to live in and create. One which reflects the objectives we would hold dear in our closest family and friends. Of opportunity, respect, community and belief in achieving our potential as individuals, communities and as a nation.
We thank our diverse communities for their participation and acknowledge the continued cross party commitment to promoting the objectives of equality and cultural diversity in Scotland.
