Cara McLaughlin attended the Scottish Advisory Forum on Europe’s (SAFE) latest meeting with the Scottish Government’s Europe, External Affairs and Energy Minister, Stephen Gethins, and the High Commissioner for Malta, Stephen Montefort. Cara joined this meeting as part of the Forum’s Youth Sub-Committee and considers below how diverse voices should play a bigger role in the energy transition.
The role of SAFE
SAFE is a forum that brings together Scottish civil society organisations and provides an independent voice in UK–EU relations. With the goal of ensuring that Scottish perspectives and interests are represented across the UK and Europe, the group has developed a Youth Committee to highlight the importance of diverse voices across different industries. This representation is key to meaningful dialogue and cooperation.
What did you discuss?
The latest SAFE meeting provided the opportunity for stakeholders to discuss topics such as energy, aviation, health, education, tourism and other growth opportunities in Scotland. Having younger people in the room to express their views directly not only supports equity of voice but also encourages a more nuanced discussion around priorities and longer-term considerations.
What struck me most during the meeting was that many of the challenges being debated – from energy security to workforce development – are issues that will directly affect younger generations. Some of the major projects being consented today may not enter construction for several years, but the decisions made now will influence communities and opportunities for decades to come. Young people are not only the future workforce that will help shape industries, services and communities but also the generation that will live with the long-term impacts of today’s decisions.
The value of voice
Diverse groups bring different perspectives to problem-solving and decision-making, helping projects respond effectively to challenges. Every person brings their own unique experience, opinion and insight to discussions. Creating opportunities for seldom-heard groups to share their experiences can help identify issues, challenges and opportunities that might otherwise be missed. By broadening approaches to engagement and reaching people within established networks, we can get a more rounded understanding of communities. Across a range of sectors, this kind of meaningful engagement can help decision-makers better understand community priorities and perspectives.
Giving younger generations a meaningful voice
I caught up with fellow SAFE Youth Committee members Elle and Michaela at the event. They shared their perspectives on youth engagement:
Youth engagement remains one piece of the puzzle in engaging with seldom-heard groups. There are many underrepresented groups whose perspectives can help shape better outcomes.
The wider challenge of representation
While some of the discussion focused on youth and participation, it also highlighted the wider challenge facing the energy sector: ensuring that all underrepresented groups have meaningful opportunities to contribute.
Gender diversity is another example. Despite some progress in recent years, the energy sector remains heavily male-dominated. This year, statistics from POWERful Women show that there is still work to be done, with progress now slowing and, in some cases, going backwards. For instance, only 5 of the 33 reporting companies have reached the target of 40% of women in middle management roles. This highlights the importance of continuing to broaden participation across the sector and ensure a wider range of voices are represented in decision-making. A broader range of perspectives can bring valuable insights that support innovation, improve decision-making and help projects respond to a wider range of needs.
Turning inclusive engagement into action
The first two National Standards of Community Engagement from the Scottish Government are inclusion and support. Specifically, they involve including those affected by the reason for engagement and overcoming any barriers to their participation in it. Meeting these standards often involves more than simply providing opportunities to participate. In many cases, it involves understanding and addressing barriers that may make participation more difficult for some people.
Methods to break down barriers to participation could include targeted digital engagement, working with youth organisations and community groups, holding events in accessible locations and creating opportunities for people to contribute in ways that are understandable to them.
Collaboration for the future
At the SAFE event, the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy emphasised the need to deliver success for the next generation. That message resonated with me. Success for young people extends beyond economic opportunity. It also means ensuring our voices are heard while protecting and enhancing the physical environment in which we will live. As renewable energy infrastructure continues to grow, both of these considerations are becoming increasingly important.
The meeting discussed Scotland’s energy sector, which many see as being at a turning point, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Energy security is an international issue that Scotland has the potential to help address, but meeting that challenge will require stronger collaboration with international partners. Success will depend on active listening, innovation and collaboration locally, nationally and internationally.
Better decisions start with broader participation
Effective engagement does not happen by accident. It often requires tailored approaches and a willingness to meet people where they are. While standardised consultation provides an important foundation, there can also be value in creating additional opportunities for the participation of specific groups.
The discussions at SAFE reinforced something that engagement practitioners have long understood: better outcomes come from hearing a wider range of voices. As Scotland’s energy transition continues, ensuring that young people and other underrepresented groups have meaningful opportunities to have their voices heard could help strengthen projects and decision-making.
If you would like to find out more about how Copper can support meaningful engagement as part of your project, please get in touch.