To ask the Scottish Executive what the role is of the Scottish Civic Forum.
Creation of a Scottish CivicForum was a Consultative Steering Group recommendation. It reflected the consensusview that the new Scottish Parliament should work in ways that were open and accessibleto all.
The potential role fulfilledby the forum has evolved since 1999. Since then the Parliament has developed anincreasing confidence in its own ability to engage directly with wider civic society.The Executive too has become better at encouraging public participation in decision-making,in line with our belief in fostering good citizenship and building a confident,democratic Scotland.
We remain firmly committed todeveloping our links with a wide range of civic organisations and to improving furtherour performance in consulting members of the public when we develop new policy initiativesand legislative proposals.
Fundamental to our vision isa recognition of the need not only to promote better public engagement with governmentbut also to encourage greater participation by individuals in wider society, forexample through volunteering and community involvement.
I have been working closely withministerial colleagues to ensure that the importance that this Executive attachesto civic participation and inclusiveness will set standards which can be carriedforward and built upon by future administrations.