Name: Devolution @25
Start: 2024-09-04T10:30:00+01:00
End: 2024-09-04T18:30:00+01:00
Location: New College, The University of Edinburgh

Devolution @25

Upcoming and past events in the School of Divinity or led by our academics

School of Divinity

Reflections, perspectives and visions of the Churches’ relationship with the Scottish Parliament.

New College, The University of Edinburgh

A one-day conference that looks back at 25 years of the churches’ work in parliamentary and political engagement, and imagines the future of religion and politics in Scotland. This event will take place in the Assembly Hall, Mound Place.This one-day conference, organised by the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office and the Centre for Theology and Public Life (School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh), will provide a unique chance for those interested and involved in Christian engagement with Scottish politics to look back over 25 years of working with the Scottish Parliament, and to reflect on the opportunities and challenges of this work both now and for the future.Prior to devolution in 1999, Churches in Scotland played an important role in the discussions around constitutional reform. When the Scotland Act 1998 declared, "There shall be a Scottish Parliament," it marked the beginning of a new era in Scottish politics and the Churches wanted to continue their commitment to the common good in the public square.The Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office was set up to build a fruitful relationship between the Churches in Scotland and the new Parliament, and to help them relate and respond effectively in the political process.Now, twenty-five years later, expert speakers from churches and from the School of Divinity will reflect on this vision through a programme of talks and panel discussions. Together we’ll explore questions such as...<ul><li>What were the hopes and opportunities offered by devolution? Has the Scottish Parliament lived up to these hopes?</li><li>What were the challenges that devolution presented? What are the challenges facing churches in politics today?</li><li>What might the future look like for religious communities and politics in Scotland?</li><li>Followed by an ecumenical service of thanksgiving and recommitment and concluded with a networking reception. Refreshments will be provided.</li></ul> Speakers include:<ul><li>The Right Honourable, The Lord Wallace of Tankerness - Former Deputy First Minister (Keynote)</li><li>Revd Dr Graham Blount, SCPO Officer (1999–2008)</li><li>Dr Alison Elliot, Former Associate Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues</li><li>Professor Mona Siddiqui, University of Edinburgh</li></ul> Please direct registration queries to divinity.news@ed.ac.ukPlease direct event queries to ctpi@ed.ac.uk <h3>Programme</h3>10:30-11:00am – Registration and Coffee 11:00-11:10am – Welcome and IntroductionDavid Bradwell – Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer (2020- present) 11:10am-12:00pm – Keynote SpeechRt. Hon. Lord Wallace of Tankerness KC – Deputy First Minister of Scotland (1999-2005) 12:00-1:00pm – Session 1Scottish Churches and the Parliament: 25 years of changeChair:Revd. Dr Alexander (Sandy) Forsyth – School of Divinity, University of EdinburghSpeakers:<ul><li>Revd. Dr. Graham Blount – Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer (1999-2008)</li><li>Dr. Alison Elliot – Former Associate Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues, New College</li></ul> 1:00-1:45pm – Lunch 1:45-2:35pm – Session 2University of Edinburgh School of Divinity Panel Session“Religious communities and politics in Scotland – where are we now and what might the future look like?”Chair:Stephen Noon – PhD researcherPanel:<ul><li>Dr. Stephen Sutcliffe – Senior Lecturer in the Study of Religion</li><li>Prof. Mona Siddiqui – Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies,</li><li>Dr. Alex Chow – Senior Lecturer in Theology and World Christianity</li></ul> 2:35-2:50pm – Comfort break 2:50-3:40pm – Session 3Quick Fire TalksThe work of church Parliamentary Officers in devolved nations.Chair:David BradwellSpeakers:<ul><li>Sarah Komashko – Parliamentary Engagement Officer (Scotland), Quakers in Britain</li><li>Anthony Horan – Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office</li><li>Major. David Cavanagh – Assistant Secretary for Scotland, The Salvation Army</li><li>Rev. Gethin Rhys – Policy Officer, Cytûn: Eglwysi Ynghyd yng / Churches Together in Wales</li></ul> 3:40-4:10pm – Concluding SessionProf. Rachel Muers, Chair in Divinity, School of Divinity, in conversation with Lord Wallace. 4:10-4:30pm – Comfort Break 4:30-5:00pm – Ecumenical Service of thanksgiving and recommitment to the work of the Christian Churches in Scottish PoliticsLed by The Very Revd. Sally Foster Fulton – UK and Global Church Ambassador, Christian Aid. 5:00-6:30pm – Reception

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Devolution @25

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