About the Scottish Parliament

28. It is important to demonstrate outcomes. Failing to identify the purpose of, in particular, outward visits and produce tangible outcomes would have a significant reputational impact and result in the less than efficient use of the financial and human resources committed. Therefore, there are four key principles relating to the outcomes the Parliament will seek;

• parliamentary focused: ensure that Presiding Officer and SPCB international activities complement and support the development of the Parliament as an institution through the professional development of MSPs and staff, and the conduct and management of parliamentary business (policy, procedural and corporate);
• partnership: identify where the Parliament can capitalise from working with other organisations, share resources and jointly-deliver similar activities;
• reputational value: recognise that certain types of activity pro-actively support the Parliament’s institutional and international reputation and which, if not undertaken, could adversely affect that; and
• supporting Scotland: through the Parliament’s participation, support activities which could bring wider economic benefit and added value to Scotland.

29. The IRO will provide the SPCB with twice-yearly reports outlining the activities undertaken. These reports will be published on the Parliament’s website. In addition, reports will be produced by the IRO for SPCB supported outward visits. To ensure a consistency, the report will cover location, any sponsor (e.g. CPA), date and purpose of visit and theme, outline of programme and discussions held and the outcomes and action/learning points.

Further information on reports

30. The IRO will publish each outward visit report and take forward the action/learning points as necessary through the circulation to relevant committees (who may be conducting scrutiny of related policy issues), and Parliament officials. The IRO will utilise this information for future reference and follow up with delegations which may re-visit the country concerned.

Further information on outward visit reports

31. This international work will be promoted via the IRO webpage and its Twitter account.

Further information on IRO Twitter account