About the Scottish Parliament

23. While this Strategy can be better applied to the proactive outward facing work which the Parliament wishes to undertake, a key part of the international work is responding to those visitors – parliamentarians, diplomatic, government etc – who wish to engage with this organisation.

Inward

24. Inward visits are a key component of being an open, engaging and welcoming institution. The Parliament will continue to accommodate requests from parliamentarians, members of the diplomatic community and interested organisations from across the world, be that physical or virtual. The IRO will continue to manage these requests and, where possible, provide bespoke programmes tailored to the specific interests and needs of the visiting delegation.

25. While inward visits are in response to a request to discuss topics of interest to the delegation, the Parliament recognises they can, if appropriate, present an occasion to discuss issues of interest to it and learn from the visiting delegation the approach taken by their parliament on particular policy, procedural and corporate issues. This is something the IRO would discuss, if appropriate, with a visiting delegation.

Outward

26. The foundation for each Presiding Officer led and SPCB supported outward visit is the business case. This is the justification for why the visit is appropriate and necessary and will be set out by the IRO to the SPCB. It will identify on which of the three core elements the visit will be based and reflect the outcome principles below. This in turn will inform the size and make up of the delegation (with consideration to party and gender balance). It will indicate who the delegation will meet and why and provide an indicative cost for the visit.

27. It will outline why the engagements proposed are appropriate for an ‘in person’ visit as opposed to through virtual format. Finally, it will address the travel options considered, weighing up key considerations such as the environmental impact, journey distances/times, and how long Members would be absent (in person) from core parliamentary business.