Scotland's International Framework

Scotland’s International Framework Contents

Scotland’s International Framework 3

OUR OUTCOMES/AMBITIONS: 4 Our People 5 Our Businesses & Institutions 6 Our Scotland 7

OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: 8 Relationships & Partnerships 10 Reputation & Attractiveness 11 Global Outlook 12 European Union 13 2 Scotland’s International Framework

Our internationalisation agenda is twofold:

• To create an environment within Scotland that supports a better understanding of international opportunities and a greater appetite and ability to seize them; and • To influence the world around us on the issues that matter most in helping Scotland flourish.

Internationalising Scotland benefits us all. The Internationalisation agenda underpins the full range of our international ambitions and supports the delivery of the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework. Whilst the UK EU referendum outcome and the consequential decision to leave the EU is likely to have a significant impact on the context of our internationalisation activities, our overarching strategic outcomes/ambitions and objectives remain unchanged.

3 OUR OUTCOMES/ AMBITIONS:

4 Our People

Are better able to engage in a global world.

Are engaged in international exchanges and learning opportunities.

Are aware of the international environment and Scotland’s place in the world.

5 Our Businesses & Institutions

Are more globally competitive.

Are able to cooperate with international partners to exchange knowledge and best practice.

Are able to maximise and take advantage of export and trade opportunities.

Are innovative and able to access international funding opportunities.

6 Our Scotland

Our economy is stronger and more resilient, there are greater employment opportunities and inequality is reduced.

Our economic, educational, cultural and heritage strengths are globally recognised, supporting our positive international reputation.

Our physical and digital connectivity is strengthened and Scotland is viewed as an attractive location to invest in and visit.

Our international partners are supported in achieving our mutual goals. We show leadership and contribute to reducing global inequality and poverty.

Our bilateral, multilateral and institutional relationships are strong and we are able to promote our interests overseas.

7 OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:

8 Our Strategic Objectives:

Relationships Reputation & Global European & Partnerships Attractiveness Outlook Union Strengthen our Build our reputation Enhance our global Protecting Scotland’s external relationships, and international outlook to set the place in Europe roles and networks attractiveness domestic conditions for success

9 Relationships & Partnerships

Local knowledge: Bilateral relationships: Good global citizen: We will work with our people, We will continue to value and We will continue to make diaspora and partners outside build our bilateral relationships, distinctive contributions in Scotland to share local working with others to pursue addressing global challenges, knowledge and build long-term our international and domestic sharing our knowledge, skills relationships and networks. objectives and share best and technical expertise for practice. global good: through our Multilateral engagement: international development We will seek to have Collaborative working: work we will contribute international influence and We will develop One Scotland to alleviating poverty and communicate our shared Partnerships and Innovation achieving the UN Global interests through engagement and Investment Hubs to Goals in our partner countries in multilateral forums such promote and deliver greater and we will provide ethical as the European Union and coordination and collaborative leadership and a positive the United Nations. working, investment, innovation voice in the world on global and knowledge exchange. issues such as solidarity, tolerance, human rights and climate change.

10 Reputation & Attractiveness

International promotion: Trade and Investment: Research excellence: We will use our overseas We will deliver the actions We will continue to presence to promote and in our Trade and Investment invest in and promote our celebrate our culture, education, Strategy, which sets out our universities, helping them values, heritage, landscape approach to international to build educational links and economic strengths and trade and investment, ensuring and research collaborations to build the Scottish brand Scotland remains an attractive across the globe. to support greater exports, location for investment, inward visitors and investment and to boosting Scotland’s in Scotland. export performance.

Cultural relations: We will showcase our culture and heritage to strengthen our international relationships and to better share ideas and enhance cooperation.

11 Global Outlook

Embed internationalisation: Targeted support: Coherent approach: We will embed We will provide targeted We will work collaboratively internationalisation across support and advice to maximise our international our areas of responsibility to assist our people, businesses efforts and understand the to ensure that Scotland and institutions identify impact of our work on others. continues to be attractive and seize international and our people are able opportunities, helping them to seize new opportunities capitalise on international and participate in a globalised opportunities through world. developing domestic capability.

Knowledge exchange: We will gather and share knowledge intelligently to help businesses, institutions and individuals navigate, make connections and understand Scotland’s place in the world.

12 European Union

Protecting our place in Europe: Committed partner: Protecting and Although the UK as a We remain committed Strengthening Partnerships: whole voted to leave the EU, partners in Europe and We are determined to protect Scotland voted overwhelmingly we wish to continue to and further strengthen our to remain. contribute meaningfully relationships with European to collective goals. partners to develop and deliver EU membership brings many mutually beneficial outcomes, benefits; economic, social We believe that through policies and programmes and cultural, and the Scottish solidarity, support and in pursuit of our objectives. Government is committed to collaboration we can achieve exploring all available options far more than individual states to protect our place, and acting alone ever could. interests, in Europe.

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ISBN: 978-1-78851-403-3

Published by The Scottish Government, December 2017

Produced for The Scottish Government by APS Group Scotland, 21 Tennant Street, Edinburgh EH6 5NA PPDAS300026 (12/17)