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Scottish Secretary welcomes global affairs think tank

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has hailed the launch of new University think tank that provides world-leading expertise on international issues.

The Scottish Council for Global Affairs (SCGA) was presented to government representatives from around the world at an event hosted by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Diplomats from countries including Germany, China and India were amongst those meeting with Scottish academics at the event at Lancaster House.

It comes as the Foreign Office has announced £10,000 of funding for the organisation.

Global partnerships

The SCGA is a non-partisan organisation, supporting ambitious research projects aimed at informing public policy.

Created by the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, and the University of St Andrews, it aims to forge global partnerships to amplify the reach of Scottish expertise.

Its creation as a fully independent institute of international affairs has been supported by all major political parties.

Ambitious initiative

The creation of a new Scottish international affairs think tank is hugely significant. Led by three of Scotland's world-renowned universities, the SCGA will harness the very significant expertise of Scotland’s higher education sector, and provide independent analysis and a trusted space for debate and dialogue.

The UK Government is proud to help the SCGA get off to a flying start by hosting this networking event with key international affairs experts from across the UK and the world. I wish it the very best and look forward to seeing its contribution to the public policy debate on global issues.

Alister JackScottish Secretary

Shaping the future

The UK Government’s funding for the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and hosting of this event at Lancaster House reaffirms our commitment to the successful launch of this important new non-partisan think tank.

The FCDO looks forward to engaging closely with the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, which will harness Scottish universities’ significant global affairs expertise to help the UK to make its mark on shaping a better world.

Vicky FordForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office Minister

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