The National Farmers’ Union of Scotland (NFUS) is looking to increase union involvement from a “wider cross-section of people”, and has made diversity a board priority for 2024.
The union has launched a diversity and inclusion review to explore ways in which “all diversities can become more involved”.
It will be centred around a ‘Diversity Discussion’, involving a series of interviews and an online survey and roadshow which is due to commence on July 8, 2024.
The Diversity Discussion Roadshow will take place from July 8 until July 12 at 10 different locations. As well as this, Online Zoom meetings will be held on July 1 and July 24.
Caroline Millar, who has just completed three years on NFUS’s board, is leading the project, and next generation policy advisor Lucy McGillivray will work alongside her.
The pair plan to undergo the roadshow together and present recommendations on how diversity and inclusion can be increased at NFUS in the autumn, the union said.
McGillivray said NFUS embraces diversity and inclusion, but recognises that it could do more.
“That is why our board of directors have made diversity and inclusion a priority, to ensure NFUS is a welcoming place for all as we work to support our members,” she said.
“I am looking forward to supporting Caroline with the Diversity Discussion project, including getting out into the regions all over Scotland in July to hear your views.”
Engagement
For the review to be successful, NFUS said engagement from its members, other organisations and the public is required.
The first stage of the project was launched this week, and is open to all members of the public, regardless of their farming background.
Following this, the public, members, farmers and crofters have been invited to attend Diversity Discussions at either in-person meetings planned across all nine NFUS regions or online.
Millar said: “It would be great to listen to the views about diversity from as many people as possible over the coming months.
“The views of NFU Scotland members will be a core element, but this project reaches wider than this.
“We are keen to speak to people who are not NFU Scotland members and people in the wider rural economy about this important topic.”
