Today via CommonSocial, Twitter and Facebook we asked for your responses to our #CommonDebate feature
AS part of Scotland’s new media, what you think about the news is a top priority for CommonSpace – we want to know how you feel about major news stories, and what events you think should be getting attention.
Your views on news issues are incredibly important to us, and we want you to be involved every step of the way. Whenever there’s a big question or issue drawing public attention, we’ll use the #CommonDebate hashtag to make sure your voice is heard.
Campaigners gathered in Edinburgh last night to call for the French and UK governements to give protection to unaccompanied refugee children, and today’s #CommonDebate question was: ‘As the first refugee children arrive in the UK from Calais, how can Scotland further improve care and provision for refugees?’
One user who responded felt that an independent Scotland would provide improved care and support for those seeking refuge:
@TheCommonSpace Easy Vote for Independence
— Barrhead Boy (@Scotpol1314) October 19, 2016
Another user questioned how far the Scottish Government would be able to act on the refugee crisis within the limits of devolved powers.
@TheCommonSpace I'm not sure when ScotGov will hit the limits of devolution on this. Probably quickly. It should push against them hard.
— Dr Craig Dalzell (@thecommongreen) October 19, 2016
Devoting resources to training and developing of existing care systems was one suggestion offered by this user:
@TheCommonSpace more resources to upskill our (world-leading) care system to meet their linguistic and emotional needs. #CommonDebate
— Hannah (@HannahWilso) October 19, 2016
One respondent linked the arrival of children from Calais to recent stories in tabloid media questioning the status of the unattended refugee children, but other users highlighted the negative media reception as an issue in itself.
@TheCommonSpace Show photos of the "children"
— Margery (@margery) October 19, 2016
.if nothing else, we won't b examining their teeth! Shame.Shades of slave trade markets. @EdinburghWfi @WomenForIndy https://t.co/OBkIGnan6i
— WFIEdinburgh (@EdinburghWfi) October 19, 2016
Finally, one user pointed to provision of housing as an area on which Scotland should focus:
First you provide homes for everyone on a waiting list, then you build settlements for refugees @thecommonspace
— nico bellic (@nicobel42535398) October 19, 2016
We’d like to thank everyone who responded, and encourage you all to get involved in our next #CommonDebate on CommonSocial, Twitter or Facebook, or even tell us what you think about the latest question in the comments below.
Picture courtesy of Alisdare Hickson
Check out what people are saying about how important CommonSpace is. Pledge your support today.
