Scotland to re-connect with its Diaspora
Scotland is known for many innovative companies and innovations, but has done a poor job of leveraging from its worldwide Scottish Diaspora – something that Israel, India, Taiwan and now China are actually doing quite well. Leveraging from worldwide Diaspora was one of the highlights of The Chilli’s recent speech ‘Born Global’, given at Silicon South West, Bath, England in May.
Although The Chilli cannot take credit for the new Scottish Initiative, the message is clear. Tapping into that Diaspora can result in game-changing momentum that can result in newly invigorated start-ups, cross-border funding and marketing ties. ‘Homecoming Scotland 2009’ aims to just do that, albeit, using a mix of culture, heritage, whisky and golf, as a draw.
Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet and international cultural icon, Robert Burns, and a plan for the biggest clan gathering for 200 years, ‘Homecoming Scotland 2009’ will encourage people of Scottish descent, Scots, and those who love Scotland to come home in 2009 and take part in an inspirational celebration of Scottish culture, heritage and some of the great contributions and innovations Scotland has given to the world.
From Burns Night (Jan 25) to St Andrew's Day (Nov 30) 2009, a country-wide programme of homecoming events and activities has been designed to celebrate some of Scotland's great contributions to the world (see this link for examples): Burns himself, whisky, golf, great Scottish minds and innovations and Scotland’s culture and heritage which lives on at home and through Scotland's global family.
Organisations all over the country ranging from community groups, to public and private bodies are planning new and enhanced homecoming activity and invite both Scots and those with a passion for Scotland to join the celebrations. From the Shetland Isles in the north to Selkirk in the south; Barra in the west to Aberdeen in the east, a packed calendar of over 100 events is already in place with many more activities being developed in the run up to 2009.
Biggest clan gathering for 200 years
Speaking at the launch of the country's first ever homecoming year, which was held at Edinburgh Castle, the Rt Hon Alex Salmond, MSP, First Minister of Scotland, said, “Next year is the 250th anniversary of the birth of our national poet and cultural icon Robert Burns and a chance to celebrate Scotland's contribution to the world.”
“With so many inspiring and exceptional activities to choose from, the programme promises to give everyone a reason to come home. It is an invitation to connect with Scotland's past and future, on a scale never seen before. Now we all need to make sure that Scots at home and abroad get the message.”
Homecoming Scotland 2009 is a Scottish Government initiative being delivered by EventScotland in partnership with VisitScotland. Paul Bush, chief operating officer, EventScotland, said, “The result of this enthusiasm is that 2009 will be a very exciting year, and will bring Scots, people with Scots ancestry, and those who simply love Scotland 'home' for this landmark year.”
Commenting on the worldwide marketing of Homecoming, VisitScotland's chairman Peter Lederer said, “VisitScotland has been promoting Homecoming extensively, with Scotland in Toronto, New York's Scotland Week and a travel trade event in Australia just some examples of our recent activity. We will build on this success with a programme of marketing and PR which will promote Homecoming Scotland 2009 to potential visitors within the UK and around the world.”
Click here for the official Homecoming website.
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© Chilli Publishing Ltd 2008 |
18 JUN 2008 |
