By Brian Taylor BBC Scotland political editor

Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell is on a visit to Malawi.

Sir Bob challenged politicians not just to talk but act

In advance, he received a little advice from the architect of Live Aid.

Sir Bob (for so he is styled for his years of effort) was at Holyrood to contribute to a day of discussions about Scotland's burgeoning African connection.

He smiled as excited youngsters sought autographs and pressed their mobile phone cameras.

But he was grimly serious as he warned the first minister - "and I am putting him on the spot here" - that he must address the issue of political corruption in Africa too.

It was particularly incumbent upon Scotland, he argued, to use its fledgling parliament, revived only six years ago, to underpin efforts to entrench honest, open democracy in Africa.

Mr McConnell nodded. He gets the concept.

We are dealing here with one of the poorest nations on earth

Responding, he stressed that he believed he could bolster the commendable efforts of Malawi's president who was elected on a reform ticket.

But why Scotland? Why now? Why Malawi? What difference can this project make?

All relevant questions for Scotland - a country of five million people with a devolved executive and parliament, part of the much larger United Kingdom.

Constitutionally, international aid is reserved to the UK Government in Westminster.

But, on this issue, Jack McConnell is impatient with that formal division - and he insists that he has the blessing of UK ministers to target Scotland's relatively limited aid capacity on Malawi.

President Bingu wa Mutharika won a disputed election in 2004

Confronted with a crisis, one cannot afford to be too precious.

But why Malawi? History - and need.

Malawi is the African nation most closely connected with the great Scottish explorer, David Livingston.

Blantyre in Malawi is named after Livingston's Scottish birthplace.

And the Kirk, the church of Scotland, built very close links with Malawi in Livingston's footsteps.

And the difference? Scotland will not transform Malawi.

Special relationship

We are dealing here with one of the poorest nations on earth.

So the connection planned is pragmatic rather than grandiose.

Help for struggling hospitals, help for determined but underfunded schools. Help on the ground. Help where it matters.

Scotland is not "twinning" with Malawi. That sounds rather too municipal, too low-key.

Jack McConnell certainly appears to be personally passionate about this endeavour

Scotland is certainly not "adopting" Malawi. Africa has been patronised enough.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Scotland has identified a special friend in Africa: a friend with special needs.

It is easy to be cynical about politics. One looks for the edge, the angle, in everything.

But Jack McConnell certainly appears to be personally passionate about this endeavour.

A former teacher, he speaks of his "anger" that young people in Malawi are denied opportunities. Perhaps denied life, given the high infant mortality rate.

Scotland, therefore, has chosen to focus: to draw together government aid, professional support and voluntary back-up.

HIV/Aids is a serious threat to health in parts of Africa

Instead of spreading that aid thinly, the assistance is to be directed towards Malawi.

Medics and midwives from Scotland are already there, working at Bottom Hospital, a grim facility in Lilongwe which delivers 11,000 babies a year.

Scotland is supporting nurse training. And pupils from Sanday in the Orkney Isles are visiting a school in Malawi.

More, much more, will follow. The project has cross-party support in Scotland.

Earlier, in February, Members of the Scottish Parliament toured Malawi - including Bottom Hospital (so named to distinguish it from another facility at the top of an adjacent hill).

Their report tells of poverty, illness, HIV/Aids, desperation.

But it also tells of hope: of resilience, rather. A refusal to succumb utterly.

Jack McConnell believes his executive can help to build upon that emotion, that determination. In a small way, yes, but in a practical way.

World leaders will be gathering at Gleneagles

Now, of course, there is another perspective.

A legitimate perspective which argues that continuing aid merely masks underlying, structural problems in Africa: that African nations must be exhorted to follow the example of South-east Asia in lifting their economy out of subsistence struggle.

Which prompts another issue.

Should we assist Africa - or should we, particularly in the European Union, lift the trade blockages which arguably hinder African nations as much as the aid projects help them?

Relevant, legitimate arguments, all. Key topics to discuss at the Gleneagles G8 summit in Scotland in early July.

Key issues for the demonstrators who will accompany that summit.

Perhaps Scottish voices will be added to that debate.