By fay.young on May 20, 2010
David Ng Hop with Sarah Boyack MSP at the Scottish Parliament
“It’s never ending”, says David Ng Hop, describing the work of an MSP. David had asked to take part in the Opening Doors shadow scheme because he wanted to see every aspect of what it means to be a member of the Scottish Parliament. Here [...]
Posted in Journal of the week, Leith Open Space Events, Opening Doors 2010
By fay.young on March 11, 2010
Ola Kasprzak with Malcolm Chisholm
Politicians, preoccupied with political rivalry, can forget the most important thing – the needs of people they represent
Read Ola Kasprzak’s fascinating and forthright report of her experience of shadowing two politicians in the Scottish Parliament and City of Edinburgh Council – she says they changed her negative opinion of [...]
Posted in Journal of the week, Opening Doors 2009, Swietlica, women in politics
By fay.young on January 21, 2009
Sarah Boyack MSP and Francis Kahembwe photographed between meetings on another busy day at Holyrood.
“How interesting to see kids of 9-11yrs with so much interest in politics. I was exposed to something new which I could communicate to my parliamentary friends in Uganda.” During his last few days as a ’shadow’ in the Scottish Parliament, [...]
Posted in Journal of the week, Leith Open Space Events | Tagged climate change, Sarah Boyack, scottish parliament, shadow scheme
By fay.young on February 20, 2007
“I have found out that there is still a gap that needs to be filled. At the local level, there is an immense need to involve the minority community.�
Doris Koyabe reflects on what she has learned from Opening Doors.
Why did I join the shadowing scheme?
There were three simple reasons. First of all, politics affects everything [...]
Posted in Journal of the week, Leith Open Space Events, Opening Doors 2006-7
By fay.young on February 10, 2007
My aim is to encourage Sikh women to be more involved in politics. I wanted to be able to show how we can help to influence decisions that have an impact on our lives.
“As a Scottish Sikh I can see both sides of the coin.”
It’s a cold winter day but a warm and spicy smell [...]
Posted in Journal of the week, Leith Open Space Events
By fay.young on January 12, 2007
The Opening Doors visit to the Scottish Parliament was a first for Subash Punn. Here he describes why it made a lasting impression.
Subash Punn on the Scottish Parliament: “Never judge this building by the cover”.
My first and as yet only visit to the Scottish Parliament was full of profound surprises, the three-hour experience as monumental [...]
Posted in Journal of the week, Opening Doors 2006-7
By fay.young on November 6, 2006
“For me …politics had always existed in some virtual world far away where politicians meted out decisions that affected people’s lives either positively or negatively.� Celina Mbwiria records her reactions to a first full council meeting.
Thursday 26th October 2006
A lovely autumn morning. I woke with a purpose and a spring in my [...]
Posted in Journal of the week, Leith Open Space Events, Opening Doors 2006-7