Scotland’s first minister hopes to meet Barack Obama during visit to Edinburgh
NEWS of Barack Obama’s first visit to Scotland next month is a boost for Scotland’s global profile, according to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
There is currently no planned meeting between the former US president and Scotland’s first minister, but CommonSpace understands Sturgeon hopes to have the opportunity to meet with him when he visits Scotland in May.
The 44th president of the United States will visit Edinburgh address an audience of business and philanthropy leaders at a dinner to be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
“It’s great for Scotland and great for boosting Scotland’s profile in the world.” Nicola Sturgeon
The event will be hosted by The Hunter Foundation, founded by entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter. The organisation’s purpose is to invest in solutions to help tackle poverty and promote education. So far, it has raised around £50m for a variety of good causes. Profits from the forthcoming event will go to charities supporting young people in Scotland.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I know everybody in Scotland will be really excited to hear President Obama is visiting Edinburgh and really looking forward to what he has to say.
“It’s great for Scotland and great for boosting Scotland’s profile in the world.
“He’s coming to support a fundraising initiative – Sir Tom Hunter has persuaded him to visit and it’s a great coup for Sir Tom.
“I’m sure President Obama will have words that many people in Scotland and across the world will want to hear so I look forward to hearing him and I know many people in Scotland will be looking forward to that as well.”
“We are both truly proud and delighted to be hosting the 44th president of the United States in Scotland at this event.” Sir Tom Hunter
Sir Tom Hunter expressed his delight at the prospect of President Obama’s forthcoming visit on The Hunter Foundation’s website, saying: “From the South Side of Chicago to the White House has been an epic, historic journey and it will be a true honour to hear that story from the man who made that journey.
“We are both truly proud and delighted to be hosting the 44th president of the United States in Scotland at this event.”
President Obama was commander in chief between 2009 and 2017. During his two terms in office, he never visited Scotland. Former First Minister Alex Salmond invited him to visit the country during the 2009 Year of Homecoming.
Picture courtesy of TravelingMan
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