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World leaders gather at Holyrood Gates takes in vista at Holyrood
(about 8 hours later)
The Duke of York is due to officially open a two-day conference at the Scottish Parliament to be attended by more than 300 business leaders. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is due to join more than 300 business leaders at a conference being held at Holyrood.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates will also be at the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum which will discuss skills gaps. The Microsoft Government Leaders Forum will discuss skills gaps and Scotland's progress on e-democracy and e-government.
On Monday, Microsoft announced plans to provide computer training for 100,000 Scots over the next three years. On Monday, Microsoft announced plans to provide computer training for 100,000 people in Scotland over the next three years.
The two-day conference will be opened by the Duke of York.
The Green Party said the parliament should not be supporting a huge multinational with monopoly powers.The Green Party said the parliament should not be supporting a huge multinational with monopoly powers.
Mr Gates and Chancellor Gordon Brown will take part in a question and answer session on Wednesday.Mr Gates and Chancellor Gordon Brown will take part in a question and answer session on Wednesday.
Politics these days is too important to be left just to the politicians George ReidPresiding officerPolitics these days is too important to be left just to the politicians George ReidPresiding officer
It is the first time the forum has come to Britain and the event has been billed as the parliament's biggest business conference yet.It is the first time the forum has come to Britain and the event has been billed as the parliament's biggest business conference yet.
Leaders taking part include Danuta Hubner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, and Wim Kok, the former prime minister of the Netherlands.Leaders taking part include Danuta Hubner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, and Wim Kok, the former prime minister of the Netherlands.
The forum aims to get government and academic delegates to look at key areas relating to connected government, digital learning, employability skills and the transition to the knowledge economy.The forum aims to get government and academic delegates to look at key areas relating to connected government, digital learning, employability skills and the transition to the knowledge economy.
The Scottish Executive has arranged for 14 youngsters to speak to Mr Gates, who is the world's richest man, and meet other delegates to discuss the impact of e-democracy.
'Only fitting''Only fitting'
The Scottish Executive has arranged for 14 youngsters to speak to Mr Gates, who is the world's richest man, and meet other delegates to discuss the impact of e-democracy.
Presiding Officer George Reid said: "It seems only fitting that Holyrood hosts the first forum to be held in the live context of a working legislature.Presiding Officer George Reid said: "It seems only fitting that Holyrood hosts the first forum to be held in the live context of a working legislature.
"Holyrood was designed as a model of participate governance.""Holyrood was designed as a model of participate governance."
The Duke of York is due to open the two-day conference
He said the Festival of Politics, Scotland 's Futures Forum and the petitions system helped to involve people in decision-making."He said the Festival of Politics, Scotland 's Futures Forum and the petitions system helped to involve people in decision-making."
"Politics these days is too important to be left just to the politicians," he said."Politics these days is too important to be left just to the politicians," he said.
Microsoft's announcement of training for 100,00 Scots was a result of the company joining forces with two other multinationals, State Street and Cisco. Microsoft's announcement of training for 100,000 Scots was a result of the company joining forces with two other multinationals, State Street and Cisco.
The training will be provided for Scots who lack the IT skills to find jobs.The training will be provided for Scots who lack the IT skills to find jobs.
It is part of a Europe-wide project begun by the forum three years ago to help 20 million people to find employment.It is part of a Europe-wide project begun by the forum three years ago to help 20 million people to find employment.