The Committee’s recent inquiry identified a lot of work ongoing in relation to:
- Working with Europe and the EU,
- Working with the wider world, and
- International development.
It also identified a range of initiatives, strategies, policy statements and frameworks which it believes could be better aligned to ensure clarity on fundamental questions such as what we are doing, why we are doing it and how well we are doing it.
To achieve this, the Committee wants the Scottish Government’s refreshed International Framework to set out an overarching strategy against which all work can be measured and proposals considered. The Committee also recommends that this framework should align to the Government’s National Performance Framework (NPF), and the Scottish Government should clarify how its strategy will interact with that of the UK Government on international work.
Speaking as the report launched, Committee Convener, Clare Adamson MSP, said:
“The Scottish Government’s international work rightly encompasses a wide range of activities – supporting business and trade, building policy, cultural and educational links, and promoting international development and climate justice efforts.
“Our Committee wants to see the Scottish Government’s new International Framework set out an explicit strategy, linked to the National Performance Framework so we can provide proper scrutiny, and to provide clarity for all those engaged with the Scottish Government’s international work – including businesses, universities and NGOs.”