International network: annual report 2022-2023

Conclusion

Scotland’s International Network delivers impact for the people of Scotland, by promoting Scottish goods and services in export markets, attracting inward investment, highlighting our natural advantages and deep expertise in the renewable energy transition, promoting Scottish culture and building relationships to work collaboratively on domestic policy challenges, including the twin climate and nature crises.

This annual report highlights through case studies and examples of good practice how the Scottish Government’s international offices conduct this important work and some of their successes in 2022-23. This is intended as a starting point to build from for future reporting on how the network is delivering against the three strategic priorities identified for the international network and in the context of the refreshed National Outcomes when the statutory review concludes in 2024.

The Scottish Connections Framework^[10], published in April 2023, is also a key focus for the international network in 2023-24 and beyond. It sets out a coherent, cross-cutting approach to diaspora engagement, with a series of commitments and ambitions to strengthen and expand relationships with and between Scotland’s international communities and expand on existing work with our established networks.

The Scottish Government has long believed that better engaging our diaspora can not only benefit Scotland economically and enrich our culture but also improve our connections and reputation with people linked to Scotland around the globe. In the coming year and beyond, each office in the Scottish Government’s international network will build on their work with our diaspora communities by including a diaspora objective in their business plans to help deliver the commitments in this Framework. And we will aim to collaborate across our full network – our international offices, including SDI, GlobalScots, Trade and Investment Envoys and public bodies – to map and engage our diaspora.

Scotland’s diaspora includes:

• people of Scottish heritage – by ancestry, marriage or other family connection
• our lived diaspora – those who came to live in Scotland at any time for any reason
• our educational diaspora – alumni of Scottish educational institutes and Scots studying or working in international institutes
• affinity – those who feel a real connection to Scotland, who may be active through cultural, linguistic, friendship or professional links or simply attracted to the heritage or culture.