30.09.2011
An exhibition dedicated to showing how people have connected with the Scottish Parliament to achieve change moves to Cumbernauld College’s East Dunbartonshire Campus in Kirkintilloch on Tuesday, 4 October.
The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP will formally open the ‘Moving Stories’ exhibition at the start of its tour for the current parliamentary session.
‘Moving Stories’ combines photographic portraits and audio-visual material to chart the experiences of ten people who - through campaigning and engaging with the Scottish Parliament - have made a difference in a devolved Scotland.
Welcoming the exhibition to Kirkintilloch, Mrs Marwick said: “More than 200,000 people have already seen this exhibition as it has travelled across Scotland. I am delighted it has now arrived for the first time at a college venue as it is important that the Scottish Parliament connects with the drive, inspiration and ambition of our young people.
“There are many ways to get involved with the Parliament, whether it be through campaigning, submitting a petition or connecting with MSPs at a member-sponsored event or exhibition, and ‘Moving Stories’ aims to bring some of these methods to life.”
Principal of Cumbernauld College, Martin McGuire said: “We’re delighted to be the first college to host the Moving Stories exhibition. It is a great opportunity for our students to see how a Parliament responds to the concerns of people from all walks of life and we hope as many people as possible view it while it is here.”
One of the exhibition’s sitters, Bob Reid, will also speak at the launch.
Mr Reid submitted a petition to establish off-road motorbike facilities to provide an outlet for young people.
The exhibition will remain on display at the College’s East Dunbartonshire Campus until Thursday 27 October. The exhibition will then move on to Dundee Central Library in November and from there to the Glasgow Mitchell in January 2012.
Background
The ten people featured in the exhibition are:
- Bob Reid, South of Scotland, submitted a petition to establish Off-Road Motorbike Facilities.
“I am a great believer that there is a key to every young person, no matter what their problems are… give them a new challenge, something they can relate to, something they can belong to.”
- Tina McGeever, Highlands and Islands, submitted an e petition on ability to access cancer drugs on NHS.
“We decided that we were going to start a campaign, although the word campaign didn’t really come into it at the time. Michael wrote a letter and I fired it off to everyone on my email and asked them to send it to their MSPs, so that was the start.”
- Walter Baxter, North East Scotland, organised a petition objecting to the merging of specialist care units for people suffering a brain haemorrhage.
“Having a brain injury is a very difficult scenario to go through, not only for yourself, but for the people who are looking after you. There is very little aftercare for people with brain injuries.”
- John Muir, West of Scotland, submitted a petition on tackling knife crime following the death of his son.
“I think that the public in Greenock and surrounding areas did recognise that the situation that Damian found himself in could have been their son or their daughter…something’s got to change.”
- Reverend Iain MacDonald, Highlands and Islands, led Time for Reflection in the Scottish Parliament.
“People here are thoroughly engaged with community, with social justice issues. A real community is defined by how it looks after its most needy.”
- Gemma Mackintosh, Highlands and Islands, campaigns for improved support for those living in Scotland with a visual impairment.
“I am one of the examples of many people with additional needs who have been failed by the education system. I want to change the system and how they deal with children with visual impairments.”
- John Macleod, Lothian, lodged two petitions on Gaelic matters and is heavily involved in Gaelic and Gaelic cultural matters in Edinburgh.
“What was behind the campaign was the need for special status for the language to enable sustainable developments for the future.
- Amal Azzudin, Glasgow, campaigned against the practice of dawn raids on failed asylum seekers.
“What the campaign has achieved more than anything is raising awareness…that was all we could do.”
- Claire Ewing, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament.
“Politics is everywhere and everything but young people don’t see that…
If you want it then you’ll fight for it…you need to believe in yourself and believe in what you’re doing.”
- Rebecca Brown, Central Scotland, carried out a work placement at her local MSP constituency office.
“The realisation that politics is everything. You don’t really have an option…you really should be involved, it’s going to affect you anyway.”