 Jack McConnell's Malawi tour resulted in an action plan |
First Minister Jack McConnell has unveiled plans for a Malawi fundraising appeal across Scotland. He told MSPs that Scotland should now set an example in fighting world poverty in the hope it will be followed at the Gleneagles G8 summit.
Mr McConnell hopes to tap into the response to the tsunami appeal in the hope people will give cash for Malawi.
His move follows a call by Bob Geldof for a million G8 protesters to march on Edinburgh in protest at world poverty.
The fund will be independent of government and will be run by the Scottish Community Foundation. The phoneline set up to enable people to donate directly is 0845 848 9804.
Money will be directed through charities to enhance existing aid efforts in Malawi.
Charity leaders said afterwards that the detail of the announcement eased their fears that government was "cutting across their patch".
A dispute had broken out earlier, as voluntary fundraisers complained that Mr McConnell's move could affect other appeals.
He said: "I believe there is a real desire in this chamber, a cross-party desire, to work together on international development.
"We are a relatively rich country with a moral duty to contribute to international development and we should do so."
The first minister said he received a "deep and warm" welcome from everyone in Malawi.
He added: "Scotland's links with this country are by and large proud connections.
"Throughout the 20th century, when ordinary Malawians were being oppressed, Scots spoke out for them.
"It is now time for Scots to raise their voices again. As one of the government ministers said to me in Malawi last week, Scotland has unfinished business there."
Mr McConnell's efforts were praised by political opponents in the Scottish National Party.
Holyrood leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "Although we can do so much, and we should, those with the power to make a real difference to millions of lives in Africa are the G8 leaders who'll meet in Gleneagles next month.
"If even just the UK was to meet the UN target for international aid, it's estimated that an additional one and half million people could be lifted out of poverty every single year."
Ms Sturgeon went on: "But , in the light of that, no single G8 country is currently committed to meeting the UN target before 2012 - even though it's now be in place for 35 years."
But plans for the First Minister's Malawi appeal were attacked by Conservatives.
Leader David McLetchie said: "Many people are concerned that his Scottish Executive initiative may be cutting across the efforts of Her Majesty's government to which aid and development are properly reserved.
"Good governance is vital to economic development and success stories in Africa, such as Botswana, are countries which have functioning democracies."
He asked: "Can ordinary people in Scotland be assured that their donations to this fund will help the ordinary people of Malawi and not end up lining the pockets of corrupt politicians and officials?"
The Tory leader criticised Bob Geldof's plan for a million-strong demonstration in the capital.
"We simply cannot have one million people turn up on the streets of Edinburgh without proper arrangements being made in advance."
The first minister spent last week in struggling Malawi, where he announced plans to help with its health and education problems.
He wants world leaders to do more to alleviate African poverty.
Mr McConnell believes the public will again show that Scotland is a generous nation, willing to help others.
During his visit to the world's 10th poorest country, he saw schools and hospitals struggling to cope with the nation's poverty, corruption and the HIV and Aids problem.
While there he announced that his government will help pay to train health workers in the country and backed plans to encourage Scottish medics and volunteers to travel out to Malawi.
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We are a relatively rich country with a moral duty to contribute to international development
