Opening Doors 2006-7

Leith Open Space Group is launching the Opening Doors shadow scheme to provide local people with an opportunity to take part in our democratic process and at the same time to give our politicians new insight into the lives of the communities they represent.

Time to involve the minority

“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, [...]

The essence of democracy

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 [...]

Opening Doors to Scottish Parliament

Members of the Opening Doors shadow scheme met Malcolm Chisholm, Minister for Communities, for a glimpse behind the scenes at the Scottish Parliament on Friday (15 December). Pictured in the Garden Lobby, from the left: Subash Punn, Fay Young, Asha Pall, Malcolm Chisholm, Dougie Kerr and Celina Mbwiria (Nick Gardner is behind the camera). Both [...]

A day in the life of a ‘shadow’: our first journal of the week

“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 step. [...]

Out of the shadows

“Any positive contact people have with ethnic groups will help…” Subash Punn, a community worker currently shadowing Mark Lazarowicz MP, was featured in a positive report in the Evening News about the Opening Doors shadow scheme. “Ethnic Minorities stepping out of the shadows in political link upâ€? 19 October. Mark Lazarowicz MP with his two [...]

Opening Doors

Welcome to a pioneering project which begins here in Leith but – with luck – will spread much further. Leith Open Space Group is launching this new community website with news of the Opening Doors shadow scheme. Our aim is to encourage greater ethnic minority representation in both local and national government. But at the [...]