SCOTLAND could become a global centre for peace-building under new plans unveiled by the Scottish Greens, The National can reveal.
Patrick Harvie’s party has included a commitment to establishing a Scottish Centre for Peace in its manifesto, which is due to be revealed tomorrow.
The document will detail plans for a specialist Norway-style centre aimed at building lasting peace in conflict zones around the world.
The facility would be “tasked with researching peaceful conflict resolution as well as hosting international summits, talks and mediations, including peace negotiations between conflicting parties”, the party said.
The news comes as concern grows about reignited tensions in Northern Ireland, where Brexit has been blamed for a rise in disorder. Almost 90 police officers have been injured in rioting in recent days and Michelle O’Neill, Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister, has said the peace process must be “nurtured” by both the UK and Irish governments.
Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said: “Armed conflict affects hundreds of millions of people across the world every day.
“Scotland may be far from the frontlines but we can, and must, contribute to solutions and play our part in creating lasting global peace. With a strong reputation for internationalism, Scotland is perfectly placed to establish a Centre for Peace, modelled on the success of similar programmes such as those run by our neighbours in Norway.
“The eyes of the world will fall on Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit later this year, set to be one of the most important meetings in human history. The Scottish Greens want to build a meaningful legacy from that moment and establish Scotland as a peaceful, progressive part of the international community.
“Whilst that will of course be so much easier to do with independence, the establishment of a peace centre is a first step we can and should be taking now.”
Other Green manifesto commitments include the right to a residential trip for every primary and secondary school pupil and a fund to ensure low income families can meet the clothing, equipment and other costs associated with week-long excursions.
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