Charities and voluntary groups have a vital role to play in determining Scotland's constitutional future, representatives were told today.
Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said the views of the Third Sector - comprising groups from national and international charities to small neighbourhood organisations - had a vital role to play in responding to 'Choosing Scotland's Future', the Scottish Government's National Conversation about Scotland's constitutional direction and urged them to join the debate.
The debate examines the options for constitutional change and addresses the arguments for and against each, such as independence or enhanced powers of devolution.
To date, Scottish Government's national conversation website has had almost 314,000 hits, with the white paper attracting 26,000 views.
Mr Maxwell said:
"The National Conversation goes to the very heart of the kind of Scotland we all want to see.
"That's why I think it's vital that the Third Sector makes its views known, because charities and voluntary groups are well-placed to pinpoint constraints the current devolution settlement places on our ability to address the real problems people face.
"This is not a dry academic debate. It is about what powers and responsibilities the Scottish Parliament and Government need to have if we are to meet the needs of Scotland's people and to fulfil our aspirations as a nation.
"We will make sure that every person in Scotland who has a contribution to make is given the opportunity to have their voice heard."
A National Conversation on Scotland's constitutional future was launched by the First Minister on August 14, 2007, alongside the publication of a paper outlining different options for public debate and proposals for a referendum.
The public are invited to join the National Conversation by logging onto a dedicated website where they can add comments.
