News and Events

UNIQUE SUMMIT HERALDS NEW ERA OF CITIZEN ACTION

Scotland’s leading civil society groups to devise ‘plan of action’ for citizen-led response to social and economic crises

Where traditional guardians of our society and economy have let citizens down, civil society can promote an alternative vision for a more equitable and sustainable future.

The event organisers believe this is a unique moment for Scotland’s major citizen-led organisations to come together. The need to listen and act with a shared voice is now more urgent than ever. The time to act is now.

The event aims to bring together voluntary and community organisations, trade unions, co-operatives, faith groups, campaign groups, and social enterprises to build an agenda for action. It is critical that this event attracts a wide audience from civil society, so we want to hear from you!

The summit will focus on the issues of:

Inquiry Commissioner, Joyce McMillan, spoke at the Oxford Media Convention (OMC) on a panel discussing ‘Citizens, ethics and the media in a global age’ about the Inquiry’s work regarding the importance of engaging civil society associations in the democratization of media and the creation of news content.

The Convention, the foremost event on media for industry and senior government figures, explored the current and future challenges and opportunities around domestic media policy, strategy, regulation and the media landscape more generally. 

The experiences of pioneering rural communities in championing sustainable lifestyles can inspire neighbourhoods everywhere according to a report published today by the Carnegie UK Trust, building on evidence gathered through a collaboration with Big Lottery Fund and forty-four organisations and communities on the front line.

The Carnegie UK Trust is delighted to welcome two new trustees to its board, Lynne Lamont and Richard Davies. 

Lynne Lamont is a Fund Manager and Director of Newton Investment Management in Edinburgh.  She was responsible for setting up their charities investment team in Scotland and currently manages over 20 charitable endowment funds. 

Richard Davies is currently the Director: Knowledge and Analytical Services Development, Welsh Assembly Government.  He has enjoyed a distinguished career within the National Assembly for Wales and the Assembly Government including Welsh Assembly Government Management Board Director, Head of the Department for Public Services and Performance, and Head of the National Assembly Training and Education Department.  

Martyn Evans has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Carnegie UK Trust.  Martyn is currently the Director of Consumer Focus Scotland and was previously Director of the Scottish Consumer Council, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Scotland and Director of Shelter.  He has also been a visiting professor of law at the University of Strathclyde and is a member of a number of Scottish Government and UK government advisory groups.   

The 2009 Festival of Politics will follow a central theme of Examining Our Past – Shaping Our Future.  Held in the Scottish Parliament, Carnegie UK Trust will be hosting two sessions on Saturday the 22nd August:

Tomorrow’s Civil Economy
16.00 (17.30) Committee Room 1 FREE*

History reminds us that, from turmoil comes opportunity. And after recessions, eventually, come recoveries. However, the global financial crisis, coupled with concerns such as the growing isolation of the poorest and climate change, demands more than a return to the status quo. How might the values and principles of the economy and financial sector be changed so that they work for the benefit of society as a whole? This event will explore the practical roles of civil society associations, such as voluntary and community organisations, mutuals and trades unions, in growing a more ‘civil economy’. Chaired by George Reid. Participants include Karl Dayson, Community Finance Solutions, Elizabeth Leighton, WWF, Craig Campbell, Social Investment Scotland, Ian Fraser, Scotland the Times.