19 February 2010

Scottish Minister for External Affairs visits The Big Issue Malawi

Pictured: Fiona Hyslop buying magazine
from vendor Kaliza Chunga.
Photo courtesy of The Big Issue Malawi
The Scottish Government's External Affairs Minister Fiona Hyslop recently met staff and homeless vendors from The Big Issue Malawi in Blantyre.

As well as being interviewed for the publication, the Minister also gained an understanding of the challenges the street-vendors face and heard the impact Scottish Government support is having on their lives.

Ms Hyslop said:

"Today I met local people involved in the Big Issue in Malawi - Malawi's first ever street paper project which is supported by the Scottish Government. Speaking to the vendors I heard how the project is making a real difference to their lives, enabling them to build an income and access training opportunities in sales, promotion and journalism.

"With sales of the Big Issue in Malawi increasing and the hard work on the ground to promote the concept further, I'm sure it will continue to grow and help more people who are homeless gain earnings and confidence, giving them a voice and hope for the future."

Along with Scottish MSPs, Karen Gillon MSP and Michael Matheson who are also in Malawi as part of a Scottish Parliament delegation, the Minister met with Malawian MPs to discuss governance issues and share her experiences of working in the Scottish Parliament as a Government Minister.

Ms Hyslop said: "A key strand of our Co-operation Agreement with Malawi is Civil Society and Governance, including a commitment to share government and parliamentary experience. Today's event allowed us to do that, we discussed the workings of the Scottish Parliament and heard more about how the Malawi Parliament operates and the challenges face by its MPs."

Read the full Scottish Government press release here.

View pictures on the Scottish Government's photostream.