Thought of the Day

August 29, 2014

In the GARAS drop in centre, today I have had the privilege of discussing and debating the approaching Scottish Referendum with a Sudanese person, an Iranian and a Turk.
And it got me thinking.  Their wide experience and thoughtfulness helps give a much wider understanding of the whole situation than we may think when we think of a vote being held by a small number of individuals in a small country.

They looked at their own countries, South Sudan in particular, having recently gone through its own referendum for independence.  They considered the level of debate and interaction of the politicians.  They contemplated the low level of corruption and complete lack of violence.  We discussed the challenges of borders and implications of barriers and also a sense of own identity.

So, whatever we may think and however the vote goes on the 18th September, we can be very grateful that live in a land where such a massive issue and potential change for those involved can be conducted in the way it has been.