Barbara Stocking: Scotland mustn’t lose sight of its aid obligations

DURING testing economic times, it is easy for international issues to slip down the domestic agenda. We must all ensure that doesn’t happen in Scotland.

In September, the Scottish Government announced it will maintain its International Development Fund at £9 million a year for the next three years. At less than 0.03 per cent of the budget, this allocation is small, but crucial. I am meeting First Minister Alex Salmond today and will thank him.

Now, more than ever, we must all be aware of the challenges – and threats – facing our planet. Next week, the latest international climate talks kick off in Durban. A binding agreement to cap global emissions is needed, as millions of people face hunger partly as a result of climate change.

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It’s heartening to know that climate change minister Stewart Stevenson will travel to South Africa to champion Scotland’s Climate Change Act, still the most stringent in the world. Scotland’s story should be heard in Durban.

But climate change is already having an impact here, too. Oxfam is working with the community of South Uist to erect climate barriers to prevent the island being split in two. This kind of adaptation work is needed right across the world.

Encouragingly, the SNP is committed to creating an International Climate Adaptation Fund. It’s time to deliver on that manifesto promise.

I will also ask the First Minister to help sustain the interest and knowledge of Scotland’s young people on international equality and justice issues by helping teachers embed a global outlook in schools. Youngsters need the tools to critically assess the world, to understand why there are floods in Pakistan and hunger in East Africa.

Scotland’s development education centres support this work, but their funding outlook is uncertain. A forward-looking, and globally aware, Scottish Government would act now to help put these centres on a firm financial footing before it is too late.

• Dame Barbara Stocking is chief executive of Oxfam GB.