McArthur pays tribute to Orkney-Malawi links
In a debate held in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday evening, Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur acknowledged the strong mutual benefits from connections forged between Scotland and Malawi, highlighting some of local examples in Orkney.
Speaking in a members' business debate marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of Blantyre in Malawi, named after the birthplace of David Livingstone, Mr McArthur, who is Co-Convenor of the Malawi Cross-Party Group, paid tribute to the work of the Scotland-Malawi Partnership and its sister organisation, the Malawi-Scotland Partnership in fostering links between both countries. A recent Partnership report detailed connections in every single Scottish parliamentary constituency involving individuals, schools, churches, businesses, universities, voluntary organisations and more, reflecting the ‘civic depth’ to the relationship between Scotland and Malawi.
Mr McArthur praised the efforts of his constituents Nicky Thompson, who played a key role in the twinning of Sanday Junior High school with Minga Community school in Malawi, and Glenys Hughes, who is the driving force behind the Malawi Music Fund, which has done so much to support education in Malawi, as well as built Umozdi House, a hostel for vulnerable women in 2023.
Commenting after the debate, Mr McArthur said:
"There is a deep and enduring bond between Malawi and Orkney, reflecting the wider links between the two countries. Those relationships have delivered huge mutual benefit and provided a solid foundation for the political ties that were re-established by the Co-Operation Agreement signed by former First Minister, Jack McConnell in 2005.
"That Agreement saw my former school in Sanday embark on a twinning arrangement with Minga Community school, just outside the Malawian capital, Lilongwe. While the twinning has come to an end, it provided incredible opportunities for teachers and pupils in both schools and has ensured an ongoing relationship between the Sanday community and Malawi.
"Similarly, the Malawi Music Fund has made a profound contribution to Orkney’s relationship with the Warm Heart of Africa. Glenys Hughes deserves great credit for her tireless work in improving educational outcomes for young people as well as providing vital services for women in Malawi.
"It was a pleasure to be able to use last night’s debate to pay tribute to Glenys, Nicky and others who have played their part in binding Orkney and Malawi so closely. The value of that relationship should not be underestimated, and I look forward to those connections continuing to grow and deepen in the years to come."