Kirk Moderator Calls for Greater Support for Students from Africa

The Rt Rev Alan McDonald, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, will this weekend call for universities to provide a greater number of bursaries for students from the poorest continent in the world, Africa, in an effort to bring improved international relations and peace to the world.

Rev McDonald will deliver his speech this Sunday at King's College Chapel at the University of Aberdeen as part of its annual Founders Day Service.

His call follows a recent visit to Ghana where he met a number of graduates from Scottish universities who now occupy leading roles in churches, universities, businesses and politics.

In his speech, Rev McDonald will highlight the importance of education and argue that encouraging students from Africa to study in Scotland will play a key role in bringing peace to the world as their time in Scotland will strengthen their personal development.

In 2007, the year of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, many in the developing world are still enslaved by poverty and debt.

"However, it is inspiring to remember the part that Scottish people played in leading the fight for the abolition of slavery. So it is fitting that Scottish universities should be encouraging the poorest of African students to pursue their education in Scotland and to create a world of peace and harmony," the Church of Scotland said.

Earlier in the week, Rev McDonald called on the Scottish Parliament to eradicate modern slavery.

"As we prepare to mark this important anniversary, let us learn from the dark times of the past, and let us resolve never to repeat the evils of slavery, whether through human trafficking, debt, or poverty," he said.

He welcomed the new "creative links" that the Scottish Parliament is forging with Malawi and the way in which "we in Scotland are learning to see the world anew, through African eyes".