Media Release

For Immediate Release

January 15, 2009

Authority on Scottish nationalism to give public talk at Saint Mary’s

The Hon. Ken MacAskill

What does the future hold for a New Scotland? What role can the Scottish nation play in today’s global world?

Author and Scottish nationalist Ken MacAskill will explore these questions during a public lecture Monday, Jan. 26 at Saint Mary’s University.

The lunch-hour talk called Scottish Identity in a Global World will be held in the Sobey Building (Room 415) beginning at 12:15 p.m. It is open to the public and admission is free.

The Hon. Ken MacAskill is the Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Government of Scotland. He has served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament since it was formed in 1999, and has written and edited several books about the history and future of the Scottish nation.

In 2004 he wrote a book entitled 'Building a Nation - Post Devolution Nationalism in Scotland'. He has since edited another book 'Agenda for a New Scotland - Visions of Scotland 2020' and has co-authored two books on the Scottish Diaspora, 'Global Scots - Voices From Afar' and 'Wherever the Saltire Flies, with the former First Minister Henry McLeish.

As Cabinet Secretary for Justice, MacAskill’s wide-ranging responsibilities include: Criminal law and procedure, youth justice, criminal justice social work, police, prisons and sentencing policy, legal aid, legal profession, courts and law reform, anti-social behaviour, sectarianism, human rights, fire and rescue services, community safety, civil contingencies, drugs policy and related matters, liquor licensing, vulnerable witnesses, victim support and civil law, charity law, religious and faith organizations.

The Government for Scotland is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport. The Government was established in 1999 and is led by a First Minister who is nominated by the Parliament and in turn appoints the other Scottish Ministers who make up the Cabinet.

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For More Information:

Blake Patterson
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: blake.patterson@smu.ca
www.smu.ca