The Scottish Government is determined to wipe out the legacy of sectarianism in Scotland. Our young people deserve to grow up in an equal and fair society based on mutual respect and understanding. A society where everyone is valued for the individual contribution they make and not excluded because of their background. I want all of our young people to learn that the diversity we see in modern Scotland is something to be embraced and not something to fear. It is something which gives us strength and we are all the richer for the diversity of our society.
Bigotry inhibits personal development and blights communities and that is why the Scottish Government is determined to make sure that all our young people have the opportunity to learn and grow up in a Scotland free from discrimination. The vital role that education plays in achieving that outcome cannot be underestimated. Curriculum for Excellence provides the framework which helps us deliver the vision of a successful multicultural Scotland.
In developing rounded individuals who fulfil the four capacities of successful learners, effective contributors, confident individuals and responsible citizens, Curriculum for Excellence is itself a programme for tackling sectarianism. Our strong focus on global citizenship provides a vital tool for eradicating sectarianism in Scotland.
I have seen for myself some of the very positive work on tackling sectarianism which is being taken forward by schools and I am delighted that Learning and Teaching Scotland are working with us on this important agenda. With their help, and that of schools and teachers, we can make sure that the message that sectarianism has no place in modern Scotland is embedded in the hearts and minds of our young people. Teachers and young people are using all of their drive and creativity to develop twinning initiatives and anti-sectarianism projects which have a real impact on communities. I commend that work, and urge everyone to learn from it. Together, we can create a Scotland that celebrates and thrives on the diversity which surrounds us; a Scotland where we are all valued for the individuals that we are; and a Scotland which has no place for bigotry.
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