Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development

Responsibilities

Supports the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.

Specific responsibilities are:

• international development
• creative industries and supporting the creative workforce
• Youth Music Initiative and youth arts
• culture, community engagement and libraries
• Creative Scotland
• other arts including performing arts, literature and poetry
• Museums and Galleries Scotland and cultural collections
• major events (including Edinburgh festivals) and Themed Years
• Historic Environment Scotland
• national performing companies
• UNESCO World Heritage/ Intangible Cultural heritage

Biography

Kaukab Stewart was born in Pakistan and moved to the UK when she was six years old. She attended Bellahouston Academy in Glasgow,  Moray House School of Education in Edinburgh and Napier University. Before being elected, she worked as a primary school teacher for nearly 30 years. She was elected to represent Glasgow Kelvin at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. She was Vice Convenor of the Education, Children and Young People’s Committee before becoming Convenor of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. She is the first woman of colour in the Scottish Government.

Read more about Kaukab Stewart on the Scottish Parliament website.