YOUNG independence-supporting Scots have boosted their links with Nordic nations after meeting up with leaders of the Nordic Youth Council (UNR).
Six members of Young Scots for Independence (YSI) travelled over to Denmark and Sweden recently to kickstart the organisation’s international ties.
The group believe Scotland should be looking north to the Nordic countries for inspiration on how it could model its economy and communities rather than replicate the “deep inequalities” of the UK.
Their visit coincided with the sitting of the UNR – the youth equivalent of the Nordic Council - in Malmo which involves young people from the various political parties across its member nations Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Iceland and Norway as well as the autonomous areas of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Aland.
The group discusses collective Nordic responses to current matters such as the war in Ukraine and the climate emergency, and the delegation from YSI met with UNR leaders informally to find out more about the organisation and its members with the aim of fostering solidarity with Scotland’s European neighbours.
Following the visit, UNR president Aldís Mjöll Geirsdóttir said: “It was a pleasure for the Nordic Youth Council to welcome YSI to our social mingle in Malmø.
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“In UNR we believe that there's a strong bond between the Nordic countries and Scotland and we look forward to discussing this further with the Scottish youth parties in the future.”
The YSI believes international friendships like those with the Nordic nations will be crucial in the campaign for independence in terms of defining an identity on the world stage once sovereignty is achieved.
The Scottish Government is already looking to expand its presence in the Nordic regions with the opening of a Scotland House in Denmark, which forms part of a series of buildings around the world that provide a base to Scottish businesses that want to expand their horizons.
Fergus McGowan, international officer for YSI, said: “As a wealthy and small European nation, Scotland doesn’t need to look far for inspiration on how we could function as a small, independent European country.
“Often we look south at Westminster to justify our divergent vision. Instead, we should be looking north. Scotland must model our economies and communities after our Nordic neighbours, rather than replicate the deep inequalities and economic dysfunction of the United Kingdom.
“In recent years, many in Scotland have felt on the edge of the continent as we were forced out of the European Union against our democratically expressed will.
“In enforced isolation from Europe, we must be proactive in maintaining our common European solidarity and seek out inspiration for ourselves. Scotland must have a voice on the world stage to show solidarity with our allies, learn from their triumphs as well as voice our own story and vision to our neighbours.
“International friendships and diplomacy will be a crucial tool in our campaign for independence, not for foreign intervention on our domestic constitutional affairs, but for the clarity and perspective it offers Scots of the potential others see in us.”
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Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs, added: “‘In these tumultuous times it is ever more crucial that we reach out to our nearest neighbours across the continent and the wider world to solidify links and find common purpose.
“With our Nordic partners we share the strength of great friendships and the burden of great challenges which have implications for generations to come. It is heartening to see the next generation being proactive about building bridges with our Nordic allies.
“This will be key to the peaceful, just and sustainable future of our region.”
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