Gordon Brown introduces event on Scots' impact on the world

This conference will take place in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, from 4 to 6 July 2014 as part of next year’s Homecoming Celebrations. It is open to all and free to attend.

Dr Brown, a graduate in History and former rector of the University of Edinburgh, is among a number of leading Scottish and international scholars who will take part in the three-day conference.

Topics under discussion will include whether Scotland’s migrations have been a profit or loss to the homeland, Scotland’s links to slavery and modern migrations, from the Second World War to the present day.

The event is organised by the Scottish Centre for Diaspora Studies at the University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the Scottish Government and National Museums Scotland.

Emigration from Scotland not only shaped the history of this country but left its stamp on many countries across the world where the Scots settled over the centuries.This exciting conference with a galaxy of academic stars will be the most significant ever held to discuss the nature, origins and impact of this truly global phenomenon.

Professor Tom Devine

Alongside the conference will be an exhibition of the work of the Centre’s Artist-in-Residence Catriona Taylor on Polish immigration to Scotland.

2014 is a year when Scotland takes global centre stage for a number of reasons. I look forward to the conference during this exciting year and hearing the captivating discussions that will be generated from the speakers and audiences alike.

Fiona Hyslop, MSP

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