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Minister shares anti-bigotry plan | |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Politicians from Northern Ireland have met Scotland's Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson to find out what the executive is doing to tackle sectarianism. | |
The SDLP and the Ulster Unionist Party are on a two-day fact-finding mission. | |
After meeting Ms Jamieson on Thursday they met church officials in Edinburgh to talk about religious tolerance. | |
The group travel to Glasgow on Friday for talks with the Scottish Orange Order and to meet representatives from Celtic and Rangers football clubs. | |
A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said it was "committed to tackling all forms of bigotry and prejudice". | |
Today's visit gives us a real opportunity to share our experiences and to develop our understanding Scottish Executive spokeswoman | |
She added: "Following the justice minister's visit to Northern Ireland earlier in the year, it was proposed that the SDLP and UUP should make a joint fact-finding trip to Scotland to find out more about the work being taken forward in Scotland. | |
"We are working on many fronts, including education, sport, faith and marches and parades, to ensure that it is being tackled at all levels. | |
"Today's visit gives us a real opportunity to share our experiences and to develop our understanding." | |
Speaking before the meeting, SDLP senior negotiator Sean Farren said he had recognised the determined efforts Scotland was making to "tackle the threat" of sectarianism. | |
'Real vision' | |
He added: "Overcoming and eliminating such manifestations of sectarianism and racism in Northern Ireland will take time. | |
"It also will require clear political and communal leadership." | |
The visit precedes crunch talks in St Andrews next week over the future of power-sharing in the province. | |
Mr Farren said: "In the coming weeks there is a golden opportunity to restore devolved government in the north. | |
"It is clear that at the top of any restored executive's list of priorities should be a concerted strategy for tackling sectarianism and promoting a real vision of a shared future for all. | |
"Hearing first hand and learning from the experiences of others, such as in Scotland, can only help us to make that vision a reality." |
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