Scottish Connections Framework is a way for Scottish diaspora and new-found friends to build valuable new relationships – Angus Robertson

There is a chance to forge lifelong connections with international students and Ukrainian refugees

Scotland has a huge diaspora around the world. Over centuries, Scots have left their home shores, often seeking a better life elsewhere, but wanting to keep the connections with Scotland. Millions of North Americans claim Scottish descent and many events and festivals link us together, notably Tartan Week and Nova Scotia’s ‘Celtic Colours’ festival, inspired by Glasgow’s world-renowned Celtic Connections.

Millions of Australians have Scottish heritage and New Zealand, Argentina and Brazil host large Scottish populations, and they have developed a knack for improving the sports that Scots brought to those nations. And the Scottish Government has now just launched the Scottish Connections Framework to include people with heritage links and those who have come to Scotland via academic, business, cultural or other links.

Indeed, our student population will form a central component of the framework. Tens of thousands of students from China, India, Nigeria and beyond contribute £5 billion annually when they are here, and then go on to forge lifelong Scottish connections to their home countries, as will the over 20,000 Ukrainians currently residing in Scotland.

Scotland's largest puppet, a sea goddess called Storm, reaches out a hand of friendship at the Celtic Connections festival in 2020 (Picture: Jane Barlow/PA)

Among the proposals is the creation of digital platforms through which individuals, organisations, and businesses can connect with Scots at home and abroad. The proposals have cross-party support, and the Scottish Government will ensure that provable economic, social, and cultural benefits are known to Scots at home and across the world. I encourage all with a link to Scotland – wherever you are in the world – to engage with the framework and sign up for digital registration when it launches later this year.

Angus Robertson is the SNP MSP for Edinburgh Central and Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Secretary