Festival of Politics

Coming August 2010

This photo gallery features images of the Festival of Politics 2009

Pictures from Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5

 
Annie Lennox: The SING Campaign
Singer Annie Lennox called for Scots to "do their bit" to help combat the world's HIV/AIDS pandemic during an emotional talk on the first day of the Scottish Parliament's Festival of Politics.

She said everyone had a duty to learn about the health threat and to inform as many people as possible in a bid to ensure more is done to save lives.

The former Eurythmics vocalist said: "It is not just about using a cheque book to give money. It is as much, if not more, about educating yourselves and people you know about this. If you have a consciousness of the world, ask yourself what you can do to help - educate yourself and others."

During her hour-long talk in the Debating Chamber, the singer spoke of her ambition to take on an ambassadorial role for Scotland on the issue. She also shared footage of some of the youngsters she had met in South Africa with the HIV/AIDS and broke down in tears as she told how many of them had already passed away.
  Past, Present and Future
Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP (speaking), was joined by former presiding officers, Sir David Steel (right) and George Reid (centre) for a lively question-and-answer session chaired by BBC Scotland's Political Editor Brian Taylor.

During the hour-long session, the panel fielded questions on a variety of topics ranging from what other parliaments could learn from the Scottish experience to where the Scottish Parliament might be in 100 years' time.

Mr Fergusson responded to the final question by contemplating that the Scottish Parliament had embarked on an "evolution of devolution".

He said that it was not for him to speculate where the Parliament would be in 100 years' time, it would be for the Scottish people to decide.


     
     
     
     

2008 Gallery | 2007 Gallery | More pictures from 2007 Festival | 2007 Open Day gallery

For image queries email [email protected]