Responses

We have received a lot of supportive feedback for the Commitment to Respectful Dialogue in 2014 read some of it here:

“Wonderful news … and congratulations! Here’s hoping enough people see the eminent good sense of it all!” (William Ury, co-author of Getting to Yes and author of The Power of a Positive No)

“Fabulous, your timing and message are perfect!  Thank you for inspiring us!”  (Kenneth Cloke, author of Mediating Dangerously and The Dance of Opposites)

“I am delighted to sign up for this.  I have been dismayed and disgusted by the tone of the debate, and the attempts to spread misinformation, intimidate and bully.  Thank you for doing this.” (Linda Morpurgo)

“At last a voice of reason away from polarised views and vitriolic debate. This is so welcome!” (Jane Fairnie)

“This kind of commitment appeals to me because it is indicative of the kind of Scotland we should be aiming to create i.e. that respect and tolerance should underpin what we are as people, both individually and collectively.” (Lynn Smith)

“I’ve been concerned for some time about ‘the day after’…the joy, the disappointment, the polarisation etc. I sense your initiative is very timely. We can only collaborate to the degree that we recognise that we are part of the problem as well as part, perhaps, of the solution.
‘Only the person who receives and gives experiences of being valued can give and receive the best’
A fundamental truth!” (Gavin Cargill)

“Good initiative” (Angus Skinner)

“More power to Collaborative Scotland and the values it is promoting. I regret the vituperative tone adopted by some of my fellow-countrymen, particularly those who hide under the cloak of anonymity. Whatever we may wish to add to the public discourse, surely this can and should be said signing it with our real names.. Might not that alone raise the tone of our national discourse? We need openness, mutual respect and as much civility in our discussions as we can muster. We are all going to be living in one Scotland post 18 September after all, whatever the result or the referendum. Final thought: I suggest it behoves our politicians to challenge anyone who descends into anonymous, aggressive, disrespectful, offensive commenting, especially those commentators on their side of the debate. Political leaders would do well to ponder their responsibility to “rein them in.” They can and should distance themselves and their parties from all offensive language and behaviour.” (Iain Archibald)

“Such a sensible and worthwhile initiative. Thanks for this. It is so right that we must live with each other after the vote, and being cool, calm and collected in discussions beforehand is essential. The seven pieces of advice in the advert are excellent, and will be useful in many areas of our lives, not just before our Referendum.” (June Cocksedge)

“Every effort must be made to avoid having a deeply divided nation following the Referendum vote.” (David Vardy)

“Good to see there is a collection of people who would like to have collaboration and respectful dialogue in Scottish Politics. Let’s connect the Democratic Sector in Scotland and create a more deliberative, participatory and involving democracy.” (Alistair Stoddart)

I warmly welcome this. The referendum deals with a serious and controversial issue. I hope that there will be robust yet respectful debate up to 18th September, but thereafter we have to live with one another irrespective of the outcome. I particularly hope that the churches in Scotland play a role in promoting peace and reconciliation in the aftermath of the referendum. (Matthew Ross)

“Thank you for this. I agree 100% with your statement. As discussions are now starting more seriously about this amongst my family and friends I appreciate a code like this. People have such strong views one way or the other but it is fundamental to the future that we can share what we think whatever happens. We have to continue to live with each other.” (Dorothy Buchanan)

“Very happy to support Collaborative Scotland. It is essential that the debate is conducted with mutual respect. Whatever the outcome, on 19th Sept we will wake up still living in the same place and still sharing the same island with our neighbours.” (William McLaren)

“A long overdue initiative in what is becoming an increasingly febrile debate, especially on social media” (Susan Stewart)

“I believe change comes through dialogue, collaboration, participate leadership and harvesting the wisdom of all stakeholders. This is why I have trained in the Art of Hosting, also known as Participative Leadership. The Art of Hosting otherwise known as participative leadership is an approach to leadership that scales up from the personal to the systemic using personal practice, dialogue, facilitation and the co-creation of innovation to address complex challenges. The Art of Hosting is being used at all levels of society, in Business, NGOs, Communities, in government, local and national, in families and complex stakeholder processes” (Fiona Savage)

“Happy to have my name added to the list of signatories.  The approach to date has potentially been very damaging, and I was glad to see cross party acknowledgement of that earlier this week.
My comments come as a former self-employed business owner, and now member of staff of [a large financial organisation], who has heard all the press comment about our recent non-partisan risk statements, and as someone who is actively dodging a nominally good friend as I don’t want to be brow beaten about the Yes campaign.  It saddens me.” (Chris Horne)

I look forward to a debate which informs and does not seek to denigrate others or scare or bully people. We have a unique opportunity and should each consider the issues carefully in coming to our considered view. (Frederick McIntosh)

“Hi, I am heartened to see collaborativescotland.org putting the idea of respectful dialogue into the public domain. I will mention the attitude conveyed here in all my future conversations on the subject of the referendum.” (Bob Cocksedge)

 

Press Responses

The Herald on Sunday

Herald on Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Scotland on Sunday

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