Mr McConnell praised the enterprise education programme

Addressing the annual conference of Young Enterprise Scotland, Jack McConnell said enterprising youngsters could change Scotland for the better.

He praised the enterprise education programme in schools which he said had exceeded expectations.

The numbers involved increased 70% last year to about 36,000 pupils.

All young Scots are capable of making a difference First Minister Jack McConnell

Mr McConnell said an enterprise education could give young people the initiative and the "get up and go" that they could not learn from school books.

He paid tribute to enterprising Scots who invented the television, penicillin and the principles of modern economics.

However, he added: "Rather than be a country that is most famous for the things we once did, we want to be a country that will be known for modern things too.

"And to have a chance to make an impact on the world like we used to, young Scots need to believe."

He said: "It doesn't matter where you come from, what you look like, what your religion is, or what you have done so far.

'Scottish cringe'

"All young Scots are capable of making a difference and it is my job, and the job of government to make it as easy as possible for young people to succeed."

Mr McConnell said this would break down what he has described as the "Scottish cringe" and replace it with a culture where no young Scot would believe that having ideas was above their station.

More than 2,000 Young Enterprise events are being held this week as part of UK Enterprise Week.

Among the ideas school children have come up with are a Harris tweed tartan, a new board game, a rock band competition and Fair Trade stalls for Third World products.