A ‘can do’ attitude served us well in years gone by – and is definitely what we need now says SCDI's regional chairwoman in the Highlands and Islands
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SCDI turns 90 years old this year and a former Provost of Inverness was one of the organisation’s founders, writes the SCDI's Jane Cumming.
It’s an organisation that, from the start, brought together leading players from the business, public and third sectors to create a more prosperous Scotland for the benefit of all.
Over the years that has involved a wide range of activity from leading trade missions to helping formulate public policy.
It has been described as a think tank, but we like to see ourselves more accurately as a “think and do” tank.
SCDI is preparing its Blueprint – its 10-year policy strategy – which this year asks: “What should Scotland be known for in the global economy in 2030”?
It can be tempting in our current situation for people to question why anyone is looking that far ahead.
That is particularly understandable when businesses are not sure they will survive into next year.
But at times like this we should not lose sight of our long term goals.
So what should the Highlands and Islands be in 2030?
A centre of excellence for renewable energy, perhaps, leading the world in health sciences or space technology?
Or possibly showcasing a global standard for sustainable tourism?
And just as importantly, how do we go about turning that ambition into practical action?
Well the SCDI has been quite adept at the doing, as well as the thinking in the last 90 years.
The makers of Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small TV series recently contacted SCDI seeking permission to use a poster for the 1938 Empire Exhibition on one of their sets.
Why?
Because it was SCDI who staged the Empire Exhibition.
They saw a need to promote Scottish business and they didn’t assume that it was somebody else’s job to do it. They just got on with it.
We’re going to need plenty of that “can do” attitude in the coming years.
In this part of the world, we have a track record of collaborating for the common good as well as a long history of working in challenging environments.
So let’s get on and do it.
- Jane Cumming is regional chairwoman of the SCDI
