Faith and belief engagement strategy
Sets out our vision for engagement with Scotland’s diverse faith and belief communities; the aims and outcomes of improved engagement; and the principles underpinning good engagement.
External Engagement Plan
External engagement activities will include:
- Regular e-mail updates to stakeholders from the Faith and Belief team
- Bilateral meetings between Scottish Government and representative organisations
- Ministerial and official visits to communities and events
- Meetings of the Faith and Belief Representatives Group
- An annual faith and belief conference hosted by Scottish Government
- An annual Ministerial roundtable with faith and belief representatives
- Regular messaging to communities marking key faith and belief festivals
The following table sets out expectations around frequency, level and type of engagement between Scottish Government and faith and belief communities. The overall plan for external engagement will be reviewed annually and updated as appropriate.
Type of engagement and purpose:
Ministerial Roundtable with faith and belief communities
- To allow faith and belief communities to discuss concerns, issues and progress on shared priorities with the Minister.
Recommended Attendees:
- Portfolio Minister (currently Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees)
- Faith and belief representatives
- Additional attendees depending on agenda items e.g. young people from faith and belief communities.
- Faith and Belief policy team
Frequency:
Annually[1]
Type of engagement and purpose:
Faith and Belief Representatives Group
- To address a range of policy issues in relation to agreed priorities.
- To help monitor and review this faith & belief engagement strategy.
Recommended Attendees:
- Standing members of the group[2]
- Additional representatives on an ad-hoc basis, dependent on subject expertise and interest
- Faith and Belief policy team
- Other policy officials dependent on agenda.
Frequency:
Every two months
+ additional meetings on urgent issues if required
Type of engagement and purpose:
Ministerial participation at regular national or leadership events
- To demonstrate support for faith and belief communities
- To develop Ministers' knowledge and understanding of faith and belief communities
Recommended Attendees:
- First Minister or Portfolio Minister[3] depending on the type, profile and scale of the event.
Frequency:
By invitation – usually annually
Type of engagement and purpose:
Faith and Belief Conference hosted by SG
- To examine wider issues around faith and belief in relation to government and Scottish society.
- To promote opportunities for collaboration, discussion, and networking.
- To allow for an in-depth focus on specific themes and intersectionality.
Recommended Attendees:
- Faith and belief stakeholders from a range of communities and organisations
- Faith and Belief policy team and policy officials with an interest
- Academics working in this field
- First Minister and/or relevant Portfolio Ministers
Frequency:
Annually
Type of engagement and purpose:
Bilateral meetings with faith and belief organisations
- To discuss in depth the particular issues and concerns of a specific faith and belief group, organisation or denomination.
- To maintain relationships and develop a more nuanced Scottish Government understanding of different faiths, denominations and beliefs.
- To ensure there are appropriate channels into government for those in national leadership positions and to cement working relationships.
Recommended Attendees:
- Those in senior clerical positions or leaders of national organisations.
- Key representatives from faith and belief organisations
- Faith and Belief policy team
- Other policy teams as relevant
- First Minister and/or relevant Portfolio Ministers
Frequency:
With officials – at least annually.
With Ministers as and when required.
Type of engagement and purpose:
Scottish Government official and ministerial visits to places of worship and participation in community events
- To build good relations with faith and belief communities
- To expand contacts within faith and belief communities
- To gain greater practical understanding about faith and belief communities, projects and practices.
Recommended Attendees:
- Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees or other relevant Portfolio Minister
- Faith and Belief officials to attend events such as AGMs or some festival celebrations.
Frequency:
By invitation and dependent on availability
Contact
Email: ceu@gov.scot
There is a problem
Thanks for your feedback