only this it's so simple what else could there be but just this just whatever is whatever is apparently happening whatever is apparently appearing that is fulfillment that is what's longed for what's longed for is inescapable can't not be what's longed for always what's longed for just this is what's longed for this apparent day or night this apparent body this apparent world it's all unconditional love worlding bodying daying nighting breathing speaking hearing watching eating laughing listening to music it's only this impossible to escape it's impossible to not be this it's ridiculously easy and ordinary whatever is apparently happening that's what's longed for that's fulfillment apparently arising nothing everything is this thing it's always fulfillment it's always beloved it's always already wholeness it's always already without me it's without center points simply this has no location has no identity has no name can't be objectified or attained it's just always already this high live chat thanks for tuning in comment in the chat this is blind fulfillment mm-hmm yes what's always longed for always already this it's inescapable the body seeking which is completely futile always ends up has the no thing that it always was never moved it never went anywhere yes just what's appearing including all of the apparent change the body appears to age the day appears to change the night the night appears to change the day the technology appears to get better smaller more higher quality there's an appearance of decentralized autonomous organizations building new basic needs infrastructures which is so exciting bodies being free selling apparent time for apparent money to pay for basic needs and then what play unbounded play joy freedom prosperity unprecedented unparalleled waking up every day and joyfully playing building community having basic needs be met and just being the unconditional love that always is all the bodies joy the laughter the comedy yeah these basic needs being fulfilled and bodies being free is yeah sports it's music it's play it's comedy it's all kinds of joy the joy of children that are innocent and without bounds this can't be known this is not an attainment it's not an object to collect and know and share what already is can't be attained what already is is unknowing the freedom of unknowing and of ceasing the compulsion of me to know this this can't be known that's freedom it's good to see the live chat and community let's go aha me which is always nothing thing apparently meeting can't help but try to know this can't help but try to collect concepts and ideas and objectify this into a mirage like register there is no register and there's no conceptual filing system it's just this it's always already nothing everything it's always already that and it's not knowable it's not an attainment because it's what's always already when me apparently unwinds and dissolves it is seen that it never was there was always an already only wholeness there was always already only this and that wholeness only that simply this is the change that the world needs because from that place of wholeness only of non-locality which is always the case from there dowing creating decentralized autonomous organizations of basic needs infrastructures is effortless it's spontaneous it's playful it's joyous it's no longer about an illusory center point it is seen that there never was the center point the center point trying to get for itself was always an illusion yes nothing to find nothing's ever lost no one to see no doer controller center point is pure natural spontaneous bouncy joyful play freedom unconditional love that's non-local everything it's incredible it's awesome and it's also very ordinary it's what always is it's what always is yeah dowing is such a fun way to say it it's so beautiful how the dow of thousands of apparent years ago is now a decentralized autonomous organization in the web three evolution of the internet which is not owned by anyone indescribably perfect there is no crisis but apparently me is undergoing a crisis which is an inability to find fulfillment in objectification unable to find fulfillment in a world of others unable to find fulfillment in a world of nation states unable to find fulfillment in a world of personal love no matter where it travels no matter what books it reads no matter what experiences it has it seems to be unable to find fulfillment to find wholeness that it is already and even that story is just this this when me in all of those futile efforts is absent which is always the case then dowing which has nothing to do with what a center point can get out of it is effortless natural spontaneous there is already no center point therefore there is nothing that the center point can get out of this there's just this only this if that's appearing as clear non locality that's this thing if it's appearing as an apparent me that lacks and seeks that's equally this ink so there's no difference between nothing everythinging and an apparent something lacking no difference and it may arise that there is a that something that's apparently lacking may ask a question which is again just nothing asking a question and there may be a spontaneous body response which is that there is already no you and there is only non locality and that's already unconditional love everythinging and there may be an apparent unwinding or decontracting into what always was and it's all just the story and it's all just this i've been doing the live chat yeah seeking socks yeah seeking is suffering seeking is suffering because it's the illusion that this is not already it's the illusion that this can be found that nothing everythinging is an attainment always already unknowing it's always already yes there's no thing to hold on to that's freedom no thing to hold on to ungraspable no ground no shelf for anything to sit on or rest on a surreal boundlessness that always is yes compassion love arises without a need for ownership when there's no center point there's no owner no unconditional love is non locality it's everything a center point can only be personal love it can only be locality it's a it's like a solidity in what is obviously not solid yes it's helpless yes no hope no fear yes yes whoa this is death to the seeker yes yes and it's beautiful because it's always been death it's always death living it's always death is zing it's always that there's no duality between life and death it's just conceptual masturbation it's just this only this this thing yes this thing this thing there's a comment about wishful thoughts holding hands and frolicking through fields of wildflowers won't prevent further enslavement that's exactly how me thinks me projects that there is another there is a they that is enslaving and that me must do what it believes is right or good and it must eliminate what is bad or wrong me lives in a world of duality of others and they's and right and wrong good and bad and in doing so it misses the unconditional love that everything is and it also builds or creates from a center point from a place of lack from a place of trying to defeat others or they's it also tries to get validation or worthiness for itself look at how big of a champion i am so the only way to be the change that the world needs which has been discussed on several episodes now it's through the absence of me which is always the case so from wholenessing from non-locality everything that is created is therefore unconditional love it's very simple it's so simple it's not something that me can know and it's not something that me can put into a box and it's it doesn't me isn't too tight of a circle of a stinky little pond of its own conceptual knowing and it's too tightly gripped on an idea of there being others and they's and enslavement in its own dualities of right wrong good bad it's too tight of a cloud of knowing but that whole thing is made of nothing that whole thing is made of non-locality that whole thing is made of wholeness so me spinning in that tight loop fighting other me's spinning in tight loops is absolutely futile that's the definition of separation porn which we'll do a whole episode about soon and that is actually made of wholeness it's no thing appearing as tight loops of me that are projecting that that's another that is bad and the other one saying that that's another that is bad yeah conceptual masturbation appears quite a lot it definitely seems to oh boy especially here in austin texas there was a moving here of this body and it seems to have been around dowing building basic needs infrastructures and and also around chopping off heads there is a lot of new age conceptual masturbation a lot of center points that are on transformative spiritual journeys and there's a calling in a way of this kali energy to cut duality and to cut the illusory me on its journey to wholeness so it's exciting stuff being here and it's already showing up quite a bit this conceptual masturbation it's a me that is in a knowing cloud that is speaking to get validation from another me that is in a knowing cloud and it's just masturbation of validating conceptual knowing it's fascinating and there have already been several of those cuts and it's been fascinating sort of watching that wobbling because me is trying to manipulate the appearance control it by bringing no thing into its knowing cloud and no thing is just cut it's beautiful yes the drive of me is for something else i will attain i am real i will be worthy when i have shared my conceptual knowing and it has been validated and i am patted on the back good boy good girl good conceptual knowing good job completely futile it's this appearing as me seeking validation it's no thing appearing as that and it's beautiful and perfect and whole and free it doesn't need to be changed the body's movement to out of need to change is lack it is what's apparently happening is not perfect and it needs to change and it's so beautiful because absence of me which is always the case it's it's so naturally just unconditional love and it's also naturally building dowing basic needsing for the whole has the whole there's nothing else nothing else baby it's this never lost never found simple ordinary this a wholeness freedom always already what's up and here's number three there's three of them here i'm about happy to be here yeah happy to be here happy for this thing the perfection of this thing that is never left perfect so free requires a dance party so perfect so free so perfect so free mm-hmm yeah yeah yeah so perfect so free yeah yeah yeah so perfect so free yeah yeah yeah only this just this simply this so perfect and free all right maybe we'll do a little bit so perfect so free the dance party so perfect so free yeah so perfect so free the dance party simply this only this just this so perfect so free the dance party so perfect so free the dance party so perfect so free the dance party what what's so perfect so free the dance party that always already is perfect and free always already is perfect and free what what always already is perfect and free always already is perfect and free always already is perfect and free not an attainment can't you see always already perfect and free so simple so ordinary so simple ordinary so simple ordinary yeah spontaneous perfect and free dance body uh-uh fun jams just so perfect yeah looking for something other than this is missing the perfect this thing that is always here there's always everywhere it's actually not possible to miss because even looking for something else is still the perfect this thing but me is that that endless pursuit of something that's not this endless dissatisfied pursuit of something that's not this I will find it books gurus experiences substances relationships travels material possessions I will find it I will attain it brick wall brick wall brick wall slapped slapped slapped slapped whoa everything's already a hole no thing everything so simple and ordinary comment in the chat this is never known yes the freedom of this never being known yummy the yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum the freedom of unknowing is already unknowing and free yeah yeah always already unknowing and free yeah yeah always already unknowing and free what what obs says there has been a 25 dropping of frames this episode will just very high I'm curious how it comes out how it's coming out now haven't had this issue with the internet yet here there's been some solar punk inspired visualization of the the dowing that we can share and play on for a bit free energy free water free food free shelter free energy free well-being there's perfect freedom endless oasis home dows website joining the owners the developers hmm deep in is the decentralized physical infrastructure network first ever dial backing our tokens with hard assets that produce clean energy water food and housing who let's go the light paper is really good too I would recommend taking a look at this it's quite robust it's describes the tokenomics and the mechanism very beautifully something that's been worked on for quite a while by the developer team it's right there on the left and then this visuals really good worked on this one trying to simplify what's happening the current fiat currency is no decentralization nor backing just like bitcoin has decentralization but doesn't have backing not backed by anything and here the backing is with the basic needs assets of humanity with massive life impact the interface itself for how the dow is built and developed is burgeoning so beautifully getting easier and easier to homestead with the dow to develop with the dow to earn tokens that are backed by real-world infrastructure I'll likely do an entire stream on the light paper and break it down answering questions perhaps inspire some more developers to join most dows obviously don't have lots and lots of projects whereas this style home dow already has hundreds of millions of dollars in projects transitioning to new energy infrastructure beautiful to that's the interface and the tokenomics and the visualization so yeah this is a very very fun way to get inspired yeah it's a pretty good way to visualize it actually there's just so much demand it's beautiful but the demand right now is being fulfilled by copy and paste developers and there's really no incentive to begin this thing and so home dow is this big incentive to begin this thing so the future of austin the future of us especially in the southern area that's growing so much in this population because of the nice weather and vast lands new possibilities new frontiers and then the different areas around the world that are also modernizing technologizing being focused on this type of envisioning of what development can look like and having the actual long-term vision and incentive structures in place for the decentralization of basic needs and for this type of harmony with earth and one another it's so simple really is all of the dynamics of separation are what's complex this is really simple yeah mm-hmm always already only this thing simple this thing ordinary isn't okie dokie we'll wrap up this episode we will likely be back on later always so simple isn't it three darts


Good good evening. We're getting ready to start the program at this time. Actually, we are going to start the program at this time I'll start by extending to you a very warm welcome and I would like to introduce myself at this time I'm Ramiro Salazar director of the San Antonio Public Library system And it's a great pleasure for me to welcome you here to this very special event this evening So this evening we will we will be honoring 13 very very special leaders and advocate advocates Of the San Antonio Public Library They will be receiving the Ella Award which stands for exceptional library leaders and advocates This is the third year for the San Antonio Public Library to be presenting the award It's actually presented by the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees Before we begin there's a few housekeeping items that I would like to share with you First of all if you parked in the parking garage Before you leave you need to validate your your parking And you can validate it as you go out the library versus circulation desk to the right We have a little apparatus there that you can use to validate your parking ticket. So don't forget to do that, please And if you need assistance we have staff Available so at this time I would like to recognize special guests that are here with us today We have Linda Nairn who's the vice chair of the Library Board of Trustees and she's part of the program I will invite her to the podium shortly We also have Jean Brady who's the immediate past chair. There's Jean and represents district one Jean is also the chair of the Public Relations Committee of the Library Board of Trustees who work with staff to create this award to honor Advocates and leaders of the library We have another board member is Joanne Harris whose trustee and represents district two. Thank you for being here, Ms. Harris Andrea Sanchez also a member of the Library Board of Trustees who represents district four welcome Marcy ends Representing district nine on the Library Board of Trustees We also have Lily Gonzales the executive director of the San Antonio Book Festival. Welcome Lily Beth Graham president of the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library Beth welcome Brianna Kirk Simmons she she recently married congratulations Brianna. Where are you there you are? Who is the event the special projects executive for the San Antonio Public Library Foundation? We're CEO and president for the foundation Tracy Bennett couldn't be here this evening So Brianna is here representing the foundation. So welcome. We also have Tony Hernandez Serna representing congressman Joaquin Castro Welcome so Those housekeeping items out of the way. I would like to again share with you that this is a very special evening and The Ella award was created again to again to recognize Very special individuals that work hard on behalf of the San Antonio Public Library in various capacities And you will learn more about the their contributions and why they were selected for this award We're thankful that we have Mike Garofalo who will be the master ceremonies He will be officially Introduced by Linda Nair shortly, but I got to know Mike earlier today and I found out that we have a connection He knows Doreal. That's my hometown His wife is from Doreal. So we have a nice chat this afternoon. So it's kind of nice to know of that connection They're not many folks that I know here in San Antonio from Doreal. So anytime I know someone I meet someone I make a big thing out of it. So at this time, I would like to oh before I forget. So after the program There will be a reception in the gallery. So I want to invite you all to join us All of us in the awardees For a very nice reception in the gallery. So at this time It's my honor and pleasure to invite to the podium our vice chair of the Library Board of Trustees Linda Nair. Linda Thank You Romero I'm happy to be here on behalf of the San Antonio Public Library's Board of Trustees and honoring today's award recipients the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees and Created the Ella Awards and if you'll notice up here it has it written down its exceptional Library leaders and advocates. So that's what that stands for. I had to look it up Okay, it created the Ella Awards in 1996 Originally, it was known as the Library Champions Awards and we honored notable contributions to the library system Because the library staff is very capable, but it's nice to have help from their friends These awards recognize individuals and community organizations for their substantial involvement with the library system Those who have contributed time talent and or resources that have resulted in the enhancement of the library services in San Antonio Nominations for Ella Awards can be submitted by anyone in the community and are then Evalued by the Public Relations Committee of the Library Board So thank you to this year's nominators for recognizing the contributions of our honorees and for putting their names forward to the committee Congratulations also to everyone here tonight who is receiving this prestigious honor It's really we're really glad to have you here at this time I'd like to invite Mike Garifola to present and recognize this year's Ella Award honorees Thank you, Linda. I grew up in a small town in New Jersey About a mile square maybe a little bit more about 10,000 people and I just One of the nice things I remember about my childhood is my mom always bringing my brother and I down to the library and To that I know exactly where the children's reading room is the library is not very big as you can imagine But at least once a week when we're little kids We always went down there and then once I started riding my bicycle I'd ride my bike down to the library so library a library and that library have played a Significant role in where I am today and I'm Mike Garifola. I'm very pleased to be here with the Ella Awards and presenting them Libraries as you can imagine serve a tremendous role in our community and I'm honored to be among this crowd of exceptional library leaders and Advocates so sit back relax We're gonna get this show going just a little bit about how this is gonna flow I'm gonna share a little bit about each nominee and then honorees I will call to the front We will have Ms. Linda Nairn vice chair of the library board and Jean Brady former chair and PR committee chair of the board Here to hand you lovely wards and then there'll be a quick photo and our team member over to the side Which is to your left my right will lead you off stage sound. Okay. Let's get going. Okay. Our first Ella Award honoree is Katie Flato Katie is being honored Her role as founder of the San Antonio Book Festival a key partner of the San Antonio Public Library The book festival which celebrates its seventh year this past April is the city's top event for Celebrating literature books and authors who create them the free public event hosts 90 authors each year We speak from venues located across the grounds of the Central Library and Southwest School of Art The event now draws listen to this more than 20,000 attendees every year. That's impressive The book festival has elevated the importance of reading literature and libraries and has brought significant publicity to the San Antonio Public Library through the years So thank you to Katie for her significant role in bringing this incredible event to San Antonio And partnering with the San Antonio Public Library to offer this to the community And Katie is currently out of the country and not able to join us tonight Accepting the award on her behalf is Lily Gonzalez executive director of the San Antonio Book Festival Lily, please come to the front to the accept the award, please Let's have a round of applause For Katie Flato and the San Antonio Book Festival There we go. I'm sorry about 20,000 attendees per year is incredible Thank you And our next Honoree is Pauline Larkin. Pauline is one of the most dependable volunteers at the Great Northwest Library She plays a key role in organizing library materials at a high circulation branch by shelving items and filling customers orders for Holds and the circulating collection. She is also a significant contributor to the children's programming at Great Northwest Library In fact, she recently performed a at singing and storytelling program to a crowd over over 100 kids That's impressive Pauline is a true example of how volunteers can impact libraries and create memorable experiences to those who serve Thank you to Pauline and please come forward to accept this award Please join me in giving a round of applause for Pauline Larkin All right, our next Ella award is in honor of the lateness Gloria Malone Miss Malone served as a library board of trustee for 18 years She was an integral in bringing the Pruitt branch library at Roosevelt High School and Shaper branch library to district two This district where she lived and volunteered her time as a tireless advocate to the importance of libraries During her tenure, Miss Malone contributed to launching 11 new library locations across the library system As well as transitioning the system to a seven day a week service and increase the budget by 126 Miss Malone contributed her leadership to the library board of trustees by serving in the position of vice chair and treasurer on the executive committee Giving generously of her time to advance the library's mission Her contributions to the library and the san antonio community will forever be remembered through the lives of individuals Children and families who benefit fit from the library resources as well as services Let's pause right now for a moment of reflection in honor of Gloria Malone We now have the pleasure of this evening by being joined by many of miss malone's family and friends Thank you for being here Mr. Joe Malone if you would please come up to accept this award. We'd appreciate that Please join me in a round of applause and appreciation from miss Malone Our next Ella award honoree is linda marquez Linda is one of the most dedicated volunteers at the johnston branch library She is a retired teacher who volunteers her time to the johnston branch for whatever they need Whether it's executing a special event such as a day of the dead celebration Or delivering interactive and engaging programs for children as well as teens Linda has dressed up as dr Seuss and taught teens to make corsages as well as everything in between The johnston staff especially appreciates how linda brings positivity And inspiration to the team and reminds everyone about the important work of the library staff in the community Thank you to linda for her leadership her time and her dedication. Please come to the front to accept your award Thank you linda And our next Ella award honoree. They are sally and ruben rendon Sally and ruben rendon's passion for the san antonio public library has been demonstrated throughout the years The rendon's have dedicated their lives to public service and helping communities including libraries across the west side and south side The neighborhoods that they grew up in and hold dear to their hearts It was 15 years ago that they founded the los palmas branch library book club Which is now one of the longest running book clubs in the library's history And they believe wisdom and strength can be found through the resources and programs of the library Which is their daily inspiration And they were act they are actively involved in a social media throughout community centers such as the y wba and good samaritan center Where they regularly share information about library programs and services and thank you to sally and ruben rendon For serving as champions of libraries. Please come to the front to accept your awards Thank you so much Our next Ella award honoree is jeffrey sullivan jeffrey sullivan and his team have presented dozens of programs of the supernatural kind throughout multiple san antonio public library locations for the past 10 years That's right. And jeffrey is the founder of sixth sense paranormal It's a group dedicated to the investigation documentation and study of paranormal phenomena and activity He's also a professor for alamo community colleges and leads presentations on the findings of san antonio ghost There you go programs offered by jeffrey and sixth sense paranormal have provided new and unique learning opportunities for our community Thank you for jeffrey for his generosity and time and knowledge as well. Please come to the front to receive your award Thank you. Our next Ella award honoree is jordan vexler shannon Jordan has been actively involved with supporting the library for many years Both as a san antonio public library foundation member And a volunteer of her time and talents to various library initiatives as well as projects Her passion for the library led to her to serve as the san antonio public library foundation's board chair from 2017 through 2018 During her leadership as chair the foundation donated more than listened to this $1.8 million to the san antonio public library to use resources programs as well as events Pretty impressive Libraries have been central to jordan's personal journey from her first childhood memories fumbling through picture books to Endless hours studying in graduate school to taking her marriage vows at mission branch library Thank you to jordan for giving her time to help libraries and make a difference in the lives of so many people Please join us at the front to accept your award These are a group of exceptional local community members of the katrina ball 2018 co-chairs Thanks to the contributing efforts of amy garcia and seek lali herrera Salazar and heather derohas And the library central libraries transformed into a dia de los muertos street party With purpose to raise funds for the san antonio public library and specifically the latino collection and resource center The second annual katrina ball held in october of last year attracted more than 800 people dressed in full dia de los muertos fashions And was a well talked about and photographed event throughout the community and social media channels Raising the profile as well as the importance of the library Thank you to the successful event led by the katrina ball co-chairs The library foundation was able to gift $50 000 to the central libraries latino collection and resource center So a big thank you to amy seek lali and heather for their leadership and dedication to The library amy and heather are unable to be with us tonight, but seek lali. Please come forward and be honored. Thank you Thank you And our final elah award honorees are isabelle and castro and natasha hernandez founders of international give a comment feminist Saint susha Now if you're wondering what design is it's a self-published work of original text and images and to explain in the words of isabelle and natasha designs are Everyone's novels and newspaper a place to put what won't fit when we try to write it on a wall There you go That together they have carved a space for Latinx women to express their stories of identity religion gender as well as sexuality Isabelle and natasha partnered with the library in presenting the 2017 The san antonio design fest and additionally presented several design making workshops at the library inspiring others to create Their own avenues for expression now by collaborating with isabelle and natasha The library has been able to attract new customers introduce them to the latino collection and resource center and give voice to a New generation of authors and artists for historically marginalized communities Thank you to isabelle and natasha for dedicating their time and talent to this wonderful expression of creativity For library patrons. Please join us. Please join us. That is at the front to accept your award Thank you Now a very big congratulations to all of our award winners tonight What a wonderful variety of people who are giving of their unique and specialized talents to strengthen and promote the importance Of libraries and has been an honor to be your master of ceremonies this evening And you of course have been a wonderful audience Now at this time linda naren. We'll come back to the podium and share a few closing remarks Be half of the library group. I want to thank you for doing this for us And we need to I would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge that mike carefollow Mike is a well known And experienced journalist you might recognize him from local news Thank you. Thank you. And as a token of our appreciation, we have a gift for you And this is the official 300 years of san Antonio and bear county Thank you very much Also on behalf of the san taya public library and the board of trustees. I once again Congratulate each of tonight's award winners. Thank you for your contributions And at this time I invite everyone to stay and enjoy the reception And it's just in the room next door So I think you can go that way or you can go out through the hall and the door there And thank you so much for coming


The next item of business is consideration of business motion 8734, in the name of Joe Fitzpatrick on behalf of the parliamentary bureau, setting a timetable for the stage 3 consideration of the seat belts in the school transport Scotland bill. I ask any member who wishes to speak against the motion to press the request week buttons. I call on Joe Fitzpatrick to move the motion. No member has asked to speak against the motion, therefore the question is that motion 8734 be agreed. Are we all agreed? The motion is therefore agreed. The next item of business is Scottish Parliament corporate body questions. I have nine questions. I'll certainly intend to take them all and supplementary on this very important issue. Question number 1, Gail Ross. To ask the Scottish Parliament corporate body, in light of the recent reports on the issue, how it defines sexual harassment. David Stewart, sexual harassment is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. The law says that sexual harassment, if the behaviour is either meant to or has the effect of violating your dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. The corporate body's dignity at work policy defines harassment as any and welcome behaviour or conduct, which has no legitimate workplace function and which makes you feel offended, humiliated, intimidated, frightened and or uncomfortable at work. That can occur as an isolated incident or as a persistent behaviour and is essentially about what the recipient deems to be offensive, not about what was intended. I reiterate what the Presiding Officer said in his letter last week. Parliament has a zero-torrent approach to harassment and sexual misconduct. I thank David Stewart for that answer. I have spoken to women who have told me that different levels of harassment and inappropriate behaviour has made them feel very uncomfortable, but it is not just unlawful, as he said. It is how they feel, and I am glad that that has been included. Can you also tell me what support is given to those people who come forward with allegations of abuse, harassment or inappropriate behaviour? David Stewart, I think that Gail Ross makes excellent points. Harassment and sexual misconduct is never warranted, and those who are harassed are never to blame, and we need, as the First Minister said today, a change in culture. We have now launched our helpline, and we want it to be a single source for people who can come for advice as to what the procedure might be available to them. We have circulated posters today, which are throughout the Parliament, and I am delighted that the helpline is up and running. If the helpline gets very specialist referrals, which require follow-on for more detailed counselling, our trained HR staff will refer those referrals on to more specialist organisations that can provide advice, counselling and assistance. Given that sexual harassment and violence against women are both a cause and a consequence of wider women's inequality, will the corporate body agree that we have to tackle the wider issues, including representation? David Stewart, I think that the member makes an excellent point. I think that the key thing here, as the First Minister said earlier, is that we have a change in culture. This is an issue, of course, for the corporate body, but also, I would realitate to, Presiding Officer, an issue for political parties and society at large. Harassment of sexual mis-contact is never warranted in any walk of life, and I am glad that we can take a leadership position on that with an excellent suite of policies. I would flag up if any member of staff in the corporate body, any MSP staff or intern feels in any way that there is any form of harassment or sexual mis-contact. I would ask them to contact our helpline, which is now up and running at 0800 519 0023. Kezia Dugdale To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body in light of recent reports regarding sexual harassment, how it intends to influence the gender composition of the corporate body and the parliamentary bureau. Andy Wightman It is probably worth beginning in answer to Kezia Dugdale's question to clarify the way in which the members of the corporate body are appointed. As the members are aware, they are elected by Parliament and were done so in May last year. By convention, the nominations for those positions are made by the political parties in Parliament. The Presiding Officer and individual corporate body members have raised concerns about the issue previously. With the agreement of the corporate body and bureau sought and secured changes to the Parliament's standing orders earlier this year to require political parties to consult each other and have regard to gender balance when putting forward names for either of those bodies. The member will be well aware that the standing order change has not yet translated into gender balance on either the corporate body or the bureau, and that remains a matter of regret. I emphasise that we all need to work together on this and that political parties are key to the changes being made given their role in nominating candidates. That is why the Presiding Officer is writing today to all party leaders, asking them to sit down with him collectively and look at how we can address the issue quickly and achieve change. The gender balance of committees of shadow cabinet, cabinet and backroom teams is equally important, but this is an opportunity to talk about the composition of the Parliament's governing body. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work of members—not least David Stewart from my own party—for what is an often thankless and time-consuming task. We have heard from members of the corporate body at various times in this Parliament talk about advancing gender equality and the importance of it, but I hope that those same members understand that, for women to have access to power and decision making, it sometimes requires men to give that power away. It is on that basis that I invite members of the corporate body to resign their roles so that we can achieve gender balance in this place before demanding it from the world beyond it. Andy Wightman I am sure that my colleagues agree with the sentiment behind that question. It is not, obviously, for the corporate body to have a view on the future of any of its individual members. That is a matter for individual members. However, as I indicated earlier, as a body, we stand ready to work with political parties in this place and Parliament as a whole to achieve gender balance in the corporate body. Obviously, we cannot speak for committees and the bureau that is selected in slightly different grounds. I would take this opportunity to acknowledge the fact that I understand that Gordon MacDonald's MSP has resigned from the corporate body earlier today for health reasons. I am sure that all members would join with me in wishing him a very, very speedy recovery. I would just like to put on record on behalf of the corporate body, the valuable service that he has given to the body. Kezia Dugdale says that it is a thankless task. It is actually quite enjoyable at some of the time. However, it plays a very, very important role in setting standards, practices, culture, policies and procedures for the Parliament. Andy Wightman says that it is an enjoyable task. I can comment for the female members that are here. None of us would know. What is the Scottish Parliament, except Linda Fabiani, perhaps? What is the Scottish Parliament corporate body's view on mandating committee conveners to gender balance witness panels? Andy Wightman. That would be a matter for the Parliamentary Bureau for Parliament as a whole. I think that that is a question of standing orders. Perhaps the corporate body does not have a view at this stage on matters relating to gender balance of witness panels. Obviously, there are responsibilities for committee members, conveners, clerks and other people in this place. The member raises a very, very important point. Gender balance and gender equality is something that we should all be striving to achieve in all walks of life, in every workplace and in every process. There are very, very good, historic reasons why we continue to suffer from patriarchy. I agree that we need to challenge that wherever and whenever it arises in the processes and procedures of all aspects of public life. Monica Lennon asks the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of recent reports on sexual harassment, whether it will initiate an independent review of reporting procedures and parliamentary culture. Jackson Carlaw. I thank the member for the question. The Parliament commitment to diversity was underlined by the publication of its diversity and inclusion strategy in February of this year. A diversity and inclusion board will be overseeing the implementation of the strategy. That is why that board has been asked to review the procedures for reporting and investigating harassment. The board is co-chaired by two members of the Parliament's leadership group. It is made up of representatives from the Parliament's six equality networks, the Parliament's trade unions and an external board member, Professor Sir Jeff Palmer, a prominent academic and currently honorary president of the Lothians Regional Equality Council. In addition, we are very pleased to report today that Emma Rich from Engender will be providing advice to the board on this work. We will also be issuing a survey to all those working at Holyrood and in members' local offices to help us to understand the issues and the barriers that exist and to build up a picture of the overall culture within the Parliament and across the political parties. We will be seeking external expert advice in drawing up the survey, analysing the results and looking at our next steps. I thank the member for his reply. Reporting sexual assault or speaking about sexual harassment is never easy. Unlike some inaccurate media reporting, what we are all discussing today is not a sex scandal but an abuse of power, usually by senior men over women. Our Parliament and our own parties have been rocked by serious allegations. None of us as politicians can dare to try and score points. I welcome the steps that are being taken by the Scottish Parliament, an anonymous phone line, a confidential survey, posters and a 24-hour counselling service. All of it is very practical and very welcome. Last Tuesday, at Topical Questions, I stood here and said that unless we understand how difficult it is for women—I include myself—to come forward with complaints, given our fear that we will not be believed or supported, unless we recognise that we are dealing with a cultural problem, we will never fully resolve the abuse of power. Last week, I said that nothing short of an independent review would do. I welcome some of the progress that has been made to come towards that, including news today that the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee will be launching an inquiry into how the Parliament deals with the incidents of sexual harassment and what procedure rules and support are available. On its own, that is not going to be sufficient, either. Although I appreciate that experts including Emma Rich, who I am a big fan of, will be taking part, agree that we need to make it very clear and show that what we are doing is independent from MSPs. The committee that I mentioned, I admire your work, but it is five men and two women. Can we do everything that we can to show that we are taking independent steps to look at every single part of that, the culture, the procedures, the policies and the support? I understand and sympathise with the sentiments underpinning Monica Lennon's supplementary. The purpose of the survey is, in the first instance, to try and appreciate in some detail the scope of the issue and the range of issues that we may, as a Parliament, have to face. Obviously, we will have an opportunity when we see the analysis of that to be able to understand what next steps we might take. It is useful, at least, to say at this stage that we are working on the structure of that survey. We want to get it out before the end of the month. Members present here today who might be able to or have ideas as to questions that might be included or the way that questions might be included in that survey, their thoughts would be very welcome by the corporate body as we take that work forward. I understand that the Parliament confirmed to the Guardian newspapers this morning that the hotline is not a reporting mechanism for victims of sexual harassment. Given that the leaflet actually says, speak up and speak out, I wonder if Jackson Carlaw could clarify that. Separately, does he understand that, with the hotline only operating between nine and five, people will have to use it during the working day, and that adds additional complications? Jackson Carlaw. I thank Kezia Dugdale for that. It is important to say that those people who have concerns can also represent them through the confidential website. We recognise not only that the hotline is only available during certain hours of the day, but that it might be difficult for people to access a secure area in which to make a confidential phone call. We have that website link, which will allow a conversation to be facilitated at a time and in a place that is suitable for the individual who might wish to make the call. 4. Gillian Martin Thank you, Presiding Officer. Quite a lot of what I wanted to bring up has probably already been covered, but I am going to ask the Scottish Parliament to copy body in light of recent reports regarding sexual harassment, whether we consider a confidential and independent audit of the experiences of MSPs and staff of sexual harassment to inform many decisions on how to protect them in the future. Jackson Carlaw. I suppose that, as I said in response to the previous question, we will be issuing an anonymised survey to understand more about the extent of the problem and how we can further promote and underpin a positive working environment for everyone. Therefore, while we have a wide range of employers on the parliamentary campus, including MSPs, political parties, Scottish Government and others, the survey will be sent to everyone who works in and for the Parliament, including MSPs, staff and parliamentary staff. Gillian Martin, you have mentioned that you are engaged with Emma Ritch. Is there any other women groups that you are reaching out to inform your progress as you take those things forward? Jackson Carlaw. We are still considering the various individuals and bodies who might be able to assist us. If the member has any suggestions as to other bodies that we might engage with in drafting that survey, Scotland's corporate body would be very happy to consider those. Gail Ross. Daniel Johnson. To ask the Scottish Parliament corporate body what changes it plans to make to its procedures and policies regarding the operation of bars and receptions in the Parliament in the light of the role that such context and alcohol had in recent reports regarding sexual harassment. Jackson Carlaw. As I have said, our diversity and inclusion board will review our processes and procedures. Our survey is intended to give us a better understanding of all the issues. If the survey's findings were to suggest to us that further reviews need to take place, we will consider the best way of taking that forward. We only have one bar that is open in the evening. That serves bistro-style meals, snacks, teas, coffee and home baking and, in addition, alcohol between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. on sitting days. I thank Jackson Carlaw for his answer, but let me begin by saying that there is no excuse or satisfactory justification for the behaviour and incidents of sexual harassment that have come to light in recent weeks' full stop. To tackle it, we must consider the culture of politics in Parliament. I have been struck by the observations of many people from outside this place that it is odd that we have a bar in what is meant to be a place of work. The consumption of alcohol is not an excuse for harassment, but bars and free alcohol at receptions make drinking culture part of this job. Does the corporate body agree with me that, if we are to tackle the culture that has given rise to these incidents, we must question what role alcohol has played and, by extension, the policies and practices of Parliament with regard to it? I understand the point that the member is making, and it may apply to the broader political world, but we do not have the same sitting pattern here as at Westminster where many of those things are reported. As I have said, we have one evening bar that, on sitting days, serves alcohol between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. and serves a variety of other meals and snacks. We also have to remember that events and receptions have a key objective of creating opportunities for public participation and engagement and inform the work of Parliament and its members. As I said a moment ago, the anonymised survey that we are issuing will allow, if that is an issue of concern, all those who receive it to make representations in that regard. Certainly my own experience—I know of many other members—is that the bar that we have is an asset to the Parliament and that the use of it, as far as I have been able to determine, is one that we can regard as responsible. I have on this five members' wanting to ask supplementaries. I will take them all, as I said, but please be brief. I have Clare Haughey, followed by Ruth Maguire, followed by Monica Lennon, followed by Sandra White, followed by Claudia Beamish. The context or settings of sexual harassment, whether it is receptions in bars or indeed following the consumption of alcohol, are no excuse for such behaviour. I am deeply concerned that a question such as that asked by Daniel Johnson might give the impression that in some way women should avoid those settings in order to protect themselves. Indeed, in the worst case scenario, that could be viewed in some way as victim blaming.  Jackson Carlaw Yes, I agree entirely with that. It is absolutely fundamentally important to say that alcohol is not an excuse and should not be used as evidence of a reason why people might excuse behaviour that is totally unacceptable. The member put the point very well. Ruth Maguire Very briefly, Presiding Officer. I think that Clare covered it pretty well, but I just wonder if they would like to reiterate that alcohol does not cause sexual harassment but is also often used as a self-justification for perpetrators, and that is what we should be aware of. Jackson Carlaw Again, I agree with the sentiments that the member has expressed. I think that it is important to say that we have in the view of many a responsible use of alcohol in the Scottish Parliament and that it is not something that I think people should be allowed to point to to excuse behaviour that is completely unacceptable and could be taking place anywhere within the Parliament, and wherever it takes place is completely unacceptable. Monica Lennon I reiterate that it is never an excuse or a justification, as I say, alcohol for the behaviour that we are talking about. The vast majority of people drink responsibly, but what we are not hearing enough about today is the behaviour of men, the behaviour of the perpetrators, and I would ask members and the corporate body to reflect on that and take that seriously. Quite frankly, that is a distraction to what we are trying to get to today. Jackson Carlaw I thank Monica Lennon for that. I think that it is important to say that, even within our events team, the team who is serving alcohol at events and it is packaged on the basis of 2.5 drinks per person attending an event, not those members who are making use of the bar, the team knows how many of the customers and monitors what is being consumed. It is not that they simply allow alcohol to be consumed without reference to how much is being drunk, but it is important to say that this question sits in among issues that are of more fundamental concern and with which I agree. Sandra White I have heard many occasions where offenders would use alcohol as an excuse for the abuse. Will the member agree with me that alcohol is never an excuse for the abuse? It is a perpetrator, as has been said before, who actually has to look at his responsibilities. Jackson Carlaw I can unreservedly agree with that. That is not an unreserved agreement simply in relation to this Parliament. That is an unreserved agreement without qualification. It is not an acceptable reason for behaviour of that character anywhere, never mind in this Parliament. Claudia Beamish Thank you, Presiding Officer. I think that in a sense the point has been made, but I did press my microphone. Sarah-Jane McLean Sorry, your microphone. Sarah-Jane McLean It would help if I could use my microphone. Simply to reiterate the points made by other members in relation to this question that alcohol is not an excuse and alcohol is not the issue, abuse of power is. I hope that the member who is answering the questions on this will agree with me and that that is what we need to go forward together with the general tone of the discussions that we are sharing that have driven us towards. Jason Carlaw I think that it is important to say that the anonymised survey is not an anonymised survey about the consumption of alcohol within the Parliament. If people want to raise that within any response, they may. It is precisely about the very issues that Claudia Beamish is raising. It is very important that, in the scope of questions that we put, we manage to address all of those points and give people every opportunity to express concerns that they may have, so that we can then, on an informed basis, decide what further action needs to be taken and with whom and how. Question 6, Clare Baker. Clare Baker To ask the Scottish Parliament corporate body what action it is taking to address sexual harassment in the Parliament. Liam McArthur David Stewart said earlier that all of the party leaders have made it emphatically clear that the Parliament takes a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment. We have a number of policies and processes in place to deal with complaints, and the number of reported cases of sexual harassment is low. As Jackie Baillie-Villie helpfully reminded us at First Minister's Questions earlier today, that does not necessarily mean that it is not taking place. That is why we are taking steps to ensure that people who experience harassment feel able to talk about it and are aware of the right route for reporting their concerns. We have set up our helpline to offer information and guidance on the routes that are available and to encourage reporting. We are looking at whether any of our procedures need strength and we will issue a survey that Jackson Carlaw just said to all building users. It is important that we look at all our policies and procedures, but it is equally important that those who harass others realise that they need to change their behaviour. Clare Baker I am concerned that there is not a common grievance procedure. If MSPs staff do not have the same equality of treatment within Parliament as Parliament staff, they are not covered by the dignity at work policy. It is confusing and potentially intimidating for an MSP staff member to know how to make a complaint. I imagine that it is difficult for MSPs to have to raise a complaint against a colleague. I am concerned about how those complaints are dealt with. If the complaint concerns MSPs and their staff, it will be the parties who deal with them. I am a bit unclear as to how the Scottish Parliament corporate body has a role in that. I am also concerned that we do not have the same level of confidence in the political parties about the robust procedures that they might have in place. I am wondering whether the Scottish Parliament corporate body has any role in co-ordinating the political parties and the way in which they might deal with those types of complaints. Liam McArthur I thank Clare Baker for her supplementary point. I can certainly understand some of the concerns that arise around confusion about the different arrangements that are in place in each of the political parties. I think that what has been helpful in the sense out of the discussion around this issue over recent weeks is the amount of discussion between parties as well as within parties about the procedures that are in place. It is probably important or necessary to acknowledge within all that the role of MSPs as employers. That presents perhaps a challenge. What the corporate body has sought to do is provide that dialogue between parties as well as within parties and provide, not least through the helpline and publicity that we are putting around the complex as a whole. I reassure that there is that route for guidance and support available to whoever wishes to raise a complaint. Donald Cameron In line with the question that was asked by Clare Baker, given that the Scottish Government is an employer, MSPs are individual employers. In addition, political parties will have their own policies and codes of conduct. Is the corporate body concerned about the need for a consistency of approach in terms of procedures and policies for everyone who works here? Do they have any observations as to how that consistency can be achieved? Liam McArthur It is helpful that there has been this discussion not just within parties but between parties. I hope that there is a common learning to be had. None of us has, to coin a phrase, a monopoly of wisdom here. Through our own experience, we will know things that have worked well, perhaps things that have not worked as we intended. Therefore, there are lessons to be learnt from that. It is up to political parties to look at their own procedures and to see where those need to be strengthened. As a corporate body, we can perhaps help to facilitate that, but ultimately it is for political parties. Indeed, Donald Cameron is absolutely right to remind us of the range of different employers here, to which I would add media organisations and the contractors who work here in large numbers. Therefore, providing total consistency across the board may be difficult, but I would certainly hope that there is a common learning to be had about what works. It is about processes, but it is also about conveying the message that other colleagues have said that there is zero tolerance for that behaviour. Not just in this Parliament, we should be taking a lead in that respect, but across society as a whole. Ash Denham To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will consider producing a code of conduct for MSPs and their staff regarding their behaviour in relation to sexual harassment. David Stewart Section 7 of the code of conduct for members sets out the rules on general conduct that members must follow. Under the code, members must abide by policies that are adopted by the corporate body, and that includes the dignity at work policy. In practice, that means that members are expected to abide by the spirit of the policy, but the separate codes of conduct for members sets out the procedure to be followed if there is a complaint against a member. The dignity at work policy sets out the definition of harassment, the type of behaviour that needs to constitute harassment and the responsibilities that people have to create a safe working environment for people who are treated with respect. The Parliament's Diversity and Inclusion Board will review procedures for reporting and investigating harassment, and, as we have heard, the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee will review the code of conduct to ensure that it remains fit for purpose. Ash Denham I thank the member for that answer. Would the corporate body consider producing a new standalone handbook style publication perhaps on sexual harassment and, ideally, drawn up with input from organisations that specialise in this area? It might also be helpful if it would include some examples to assist those individuals in recognising inappropriate behaviour. David Stewart I think that that is an excellent idea, and I will contact the clerics involved in the Diversity and Inclusion Board to pass on that piece of advice and to contact the member directly so that we can pick up that best practice. To ask the corporate body, in light of recent reports regarding harassment, what provisions are in place to protect staff and interns employed by MSPs. David Stewart As I said in response to Ash Denham, the member's code of conduct sets out rules on the general conduct that members must follow and the routes to be followed if someone has a complaint, and that would include complaints from interns. The code does not cover the conduct of members towards their own staff because that is covered by employment law. The contract of employment for which all staff are employed are under the auspices of the member's expensive scheme, including the diversity and inclusion policy. However, it is important to stress that the policy states that members in their role as employers have a zero-tollance approach to any form of discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation. The policy directs staff to raise grievances on such matters using the established grievance procedure. Although technically complaints will be investigated by the employee member or someone appointed by them, I would strongly point out that, in the interests of fairness, HR advises that members should always appoint someone else to investigate. Harassment of any kind is cited as gross misconduct under the established disciplinary procedure. Sandra White I thank Dave Stewart for his reply to the response about the code of conduct. As we add on, I sometimes wonder whether it would be better if MSPs did not employ staff. That is another story that I may come in with another question on that later, and they would be employed directly by the Parliament, which I would think might protect staff and interns more. Regarding the action that has been taken in setting up the confidential phone line and dedicated room where staff and interns can go for advice, it is very welcome. I note, however, that the posters that I received and everyone received today, which are welcome to have been produced, have as headed in very large print sexual abuse. However, harassment has been said before, can come in many guises and not just sexual, such as bullying and intimidation. Therefore, the member confirmed to me that the measures put in place will cover all forms of harassment. David Stewart I thank you, Presiding Officer. If you forgive me, I will not raise the issue of the direct and whether the corporate body should employ staff or members. That perhaps will be a question for Sandra White at a future meeting, whether I am here to deal with it or not is it another question. However, I emphasise to her that harassment is a most general, widespread term, and I would basically flag up that, with our zero tolerance position, anyone who feels harassed, bullied or subject to sexual misconduct, should contact the Parliament. The advice line is one way, and there are existing ways through the code. The key point is that we have zero tolerance and I encourage anyone, irrespective of the job that they do in the Parliament, to contact the helpline if they feel in any way that they are subject to harassment. Jackie Baillie To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether its new sexual harassment hotline will accept calls from bystanders who witness inappropriate language and behaviour. Liam McArthur Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Unequivocally, yes, we have set up a dedicated webpage, as others have referred to with details about the helpline. We are also distributing posters and cards around the building. On all of those, we make clear that people should phone the helpline if they have either seen, heard or experienced sexual harassment for information about the appropriate reporting channels. Jackie Baillie I thank Liam McArthur for his positive response, because, as you will know, it is widely acknowledged that it is difficult for people to report harassment, so we need to make sure that the helpline is open to as wide a group as possible. It is not altogether clear from the posters that you are encouraging bystanders to report as well, so I wonder whether you would reflect on that, because there are indeed occasions when MSPs or staff witness inappropriate behaviour or have it reported to us, and we need to encourage reporting of that, too. What will the process be if a third party does contact the helpline? How will their complaint be progressed? Liam McArthur Thank you very much. I think that Jackie Baillie makes a very fair point. This is the first print run of the posters. If there are suggestions about how we might improve the profile around the Parliament complex, certainly those are ones that we would be looking to take on board. To the point about bystanders reporting, I think that it is very clear that the zero-tolerance approach will only work if all of us take responsibility, whether we are directly affected in the instance, or whether we see it happening to other colleagues, staff or building users. I think that that is a point very well made. In terms of bystanders phoning the helpline, in the sense that the advice is there for how that complaint or concern can be best triaged, as David Stewart mentioned in response to an earlier question, there may often be quite specialist support and more specialist response will need to be provided. Therefore, I think that what the helpline will do is provide a portal for the onward dissemination of that complaint in an appropriate fashion. That will obviously depend on whether it is a bystander or somebody who has been directly affected. That concludes questions to the Parliament's corporate body. I will pause for a few seconds to allow the front benches to change. We want the next item of business.


All right. Good morning once again to Political Science 303. Last time, ladies and gentlemen, we were discussing the case of France. We did do an introduction to political economy of economic and social policies. And I guess we were, I think, if I'm not wrong, we were discussing Mitterrand's U-turn. A socialist president comes to power, promising all kinds of collectivization, socialism in one country, all kinds of reforms that would roll back early signs of neoliberalism that would go against her neighbors and counterparts, France's neighbors and counterparts at doing. So trying to do something in reverse, in opposition, to what others are doing. Because we've got 1979 Margaret Thatcher coming to power, 1980 Ronald Reagan coming to power, all with conservative neoliberal agendas. And Mr. Mitterrand comes to power in 1981 and says, hey, I'm going to tell another narrative, another story. I'm going to write history in a different way than these guys or these ladies and gentlemen have been writing. And he promises socialism in one country, increases social benefits, increases minimum wage, public employment expands, state through all kinds of subsidy systems, encourages high tech industries. And he says, hey, I'm going to nationalize some of the industries as opposed to privatize, right? Privatization was sweeping, at least in rhetoric, at least in discourse, the day. But he says, I'm going to nationalize, collectivize some of the industries. But then, of course, business lobbies oppose this, these kinds of reform. And then a recession starts, 1980, early 1980s. Or the recession, in fact, deepens a little. There has been some recession, late 1970s. The recession deepens. Exports plummet. Social spending in response increase. Why would social spending in response increase in times of a recession? Any ideas? There is a recession. What happens to output of firms in a recession? Uh-huh. That's one way. What else? In every session, firms are producing more or less? Less. If you're producing less, would you recruit more workers or less number of workers? Less number of workers. Less number of workers mean either, well, unemployment. If there is masses of unemployed, the state intervenes and provides unemployment insurance, which is part and parcel of the French welfare state. If unemployment benefits, if unemployment schemes in total increase, what happens to your social spending? That increase. That means your costs are increasing. You need to collect more taxes. And in a recession with firms being stalled, they can't produce more. You can't raise more taxes. So you're really caught in between a rock and a hard place. Plus, you have a world in which you have NICs, newly industrializing countries, exporting like mad. And France is falling behind. So it's starting importing. This means that the foreign exchange reserves of the central bank, Bank de France, is being depleted. So the French state was almost near bankruptcy with all kinds of changes. And this was the time when delegism, in a way, was discredited. And in effect, Monsieur Mitterrand says, OK, we design an alternative program. This didn't bode well with the society, with the economy. So he makes what's called the U-turn, engineered with Monsieur Jacques Delors, who was his finance minister, who was then the president of the European Commission in the 1990s. So modernization, yes, with another qualifying adjective, neoliberal modernization, which means that France started to privatize. France has started to liberalize. France has started to deregulate. What's interesting here, ladies and gentlemen, we had all of these. We've seen all of these in Britain. We've discussed a little bit in detail what these policies are like. But those policies were brought under by a conservative government, Mrs. Thatcher. Mrs. Thatcher's government. But here, we've got all these being introduced by a socialist government, which is, in a way, either ironic or, in a way, paradoxical. So all of these changes take place. 1983, all of these reforms are introduced. But the government, the French government is still guiding the market more so than the British government is doing. And all of these are also, on top of these, we've got more EU integration in this period, relaunching the European single market. So this was a high time for relaunching Europe, 1980s, which culminates in 1985, 86, with the Single European Act, which aims to complete the single European market by 1992. So markets are becoming more important, even in a country with a digigest history, as opposed to the case of Britain, which had a less-affair history. So economic policy styles, national policy making styles, traditions matter. But we see some kind of a convergence around these neoliberal ideas, conversion to macroeconomic discipline, tighter monetary policies, tighter fiscal policies. So tight macroeconomic policy, in addition to all these. But 1980s were not years of growth spurs. We've got growth plummeting, or not as good as 1960s, 1950s. There has been some structural change. Did we ever talk about what structural change mean? What are the structures we refer to? Structures. What does structural change mean? Structure. In order to understand structural change, we need to talk about structures, right? Please. By structures, we mean sectors. But sectors, institutions are changing. But what we mean by structural change here is that France used to be an agricultural economy, or the agriculture sector had been very large in France throughout history. It was a late industrializer. Remember? Structural change means a move away from one dominant mode of production, or one dominant sector of production, to another. So we've got industrialization still going on. But at the same time, we see the service sector expanding. So a dual structural change here. Agriculture sector shrinking. Industrial sector growing. But at the same time, we've got the services sector still expanding, or expanding at a rate which was higher than anything and everything. Which brought with it some kind of problems with respect to the competitiveness of the French economy. As you've seen, as we've talked about, imports have been rising. That was one of the reasons underlying the Single European Act, meaning, hey, European counterparts, friends and neighbors, let's come together, and let's build a united front, a block, so that we expand trade, we can compete as one with competition stemming from East Asia and to a certain extent from Latin America. But because this was in the books yet, it wasn't being implemented. There were competitiveness problems still lingering, which, of course, meant that we had higher levels of unemployment. What does French welfare states look like in terms of social policy? What does social policy in France look like? We have the French welfare state has secured higher levels of welfare state spending, which translated into higher standards of living due to a large set of comprehensive and generous welfare state. Remember, we talked about the British welfare states, so we know what these programs are like. Welfare state programs include pensions, retirement pensions, old age pensions, health care, unemployment benefits, active labor market policies, social assistance, housing, family benefits, child care. So all of these disability benefits, industrial accidents, and all that. So all of these are secured by the French welfare state. We've got a comprehensive once again, we've got a comprehensive welfare state, and quite generous welfare state. So the French have been enjoying, the French youth has been enjoying all kinds of educational allowances, assistance from the state. So French universities, as opposed to British universities, have been at no cost or very low cost. It's always been publicly provided. Public housing was available. We had rent subsidies, price controls on rent. So all of these were part of the French welfare state. And France was one of the countries which introduced early retirement programs. So they wanted to withdraw the elderly, especially in the 1990s, away from the labor force by providing them early retirement benefits. Because the government was thinking these older workers, age 55 and above, are not so good in terms of their skill set in adapting to technological structural change. There has been structural change, which means that there has been technological change. And technological change meant that the older workers were not trained, did not have the specific skills that this new production techniques required. So take them out from the labor force. This meant that the French welfare state had to provide higher levels of retirement programs in terms of benefits. So the government wanted to provide an incentive to these older workers so that they could retire. And that means if you retire at the age of 67, let's assume that you'll live for another 15, 20 years. The welfare state will be, the pension system will be providing retirement pensions during that period. But if you retire 10 years earlier or 15 years earlier, the state would provide, instead of 10, 15 years, would be providing you retirement pensions for about 30 years. So that was a burden, a further burden, on the French welfare state. Higher minimum wages or high minimum wages compared to her neighbors and counterparts in the EU in advanced industrialized countries, six weeks of vacation. Just imagine, traditionally, six weeks of paid vacation. Well, you don't know what that means at this age, but six weeks of vacation in time means something entirely different. It's an entirely different ballgame. It's an entirely different labor force participation. It just redefines what work is in many respects. Unemployment insurance, as we've talked about. So if and when you bear the risk or the risk materializes and that you're fired or you're laid off, you will be receiving unemployment insurance. So the French welfare state had been quite generous with respect to providing unemployment insurance. And what's also very important, we've got universal health coverage. So all French citizens, regardless if you're paying to the social security system, regardless of whether you're working, you are entitled to all kinds of health care programs at low or in fact no cost. So very generous, very generous health care, publicly provided health care program. But 1970s, world economic crisis, 1980s, stagnation plus inflation, competitiveness problems, unemployment rising, aging societies. We've got the French social security system coming under much stress due to rising costs. And then the French government started to borrow more day by day or year by year in order to finance all these rising costs of the social security system. This meant that if you borrow more, you run budget deficits, you incur public debt. What is public debt? How does public debt emerge? Any ideas? What is public debt? Public debt. Sena, any ideas? Any ideas, ladies and gentlemen, public debt? What is budget deficit? We know what budget deficit is. It's in a year you have the government's receipts and you have the government's expenditures, right? Receipts include taxes and other coming in assets from different assets. And you have expenditures. You wish to balance the two.  Did I say it right? I hope I did. If your receipts exceed your expenditures, you incur a budget surplus. Thank you very much. If and when you run budget deficits after a year, one year after another for consecutive years, because sometimes you have to, you may be in a war, you may be in an economic downturn, right? You will have to run some budget deficit at some point.  So this is called all those budget deficits accumulated in time. We call that public debt. Clear? So if and when the government runs deficits because of these rising costs, we amass or the French state amass public debt behind them, which needs to be paid or repaid to the creditors at some point. This is how the system runs, really. Despite all these comprehensive structure of the French welfare state, we have quite an inegalitarian system in the sense that we have unequal distribution of benefits. We have, on the one hand, the organized part of the labor force, highly unionized, good paying, highly protected, full time jobs, stable jobs versus part time jobs with flexible working systems. It's easy to hire and fire in this segment. So we have, in terms of the composition of the labor force, we have two groups, the good jobs and the bad jobs. And the good jobs are protected well, and they're covered more fully by the French welfare state, whereas the bad jobs, the lower, generally lower skilled jobs, are not protected as good as the good jobs by the welfare state. So we have quite an inegalitarian system of social protection. Labor management relations, what do labor management relations look like in the French case? In general, we have what's called an adversarial system, where one party sees the other party as an opponent, as a rival, as a competitor. So in the French system, we have an adversarial labor market relations. As we shall be talking about in the case of Germany, we will see the opposite of the system. We will have a concerted system, adversarial system versus more coordinated concerted systems. This is an example. France is an example of an adversarial industrial relations system. The relations between management and labor, capital and labor, or employees and employers, had always been poor. There is no tradition of collective bargaining, or if there is some collective bargaining, it is limited to a certain segment of a sector or to a certain kind of industry or a firm. So no strong tradition of collective bargaining. What is collective bargaining? Collective bargaining between whom? Trade unions, government and also employers. You need to take them on board too. Employers, employees, capital, labor, and the state. When we talk about Germany, for example, we'll talk about this triangle or tripartite relationship. And we will call that neocorporatism. Very much organized. We don't have that in France. We have very weak tradition of collective bargaining. One reason is that unions are neither supported by the state and they're not liked by the employers. So unions are seen as an opponent in this kind of a non-concertation system. In a way, we do not have in this country a strong tradition of collective bargaining. Although there is collective bargaining, much of what happens stays on paper. And the state really does not favor the unions. So in the French case too, we have the state not favoring the unions, except for a brief period of two years under early Mitterrand presidency from 1981 till the U-turn, not even two years. So mind you, the Fifth Republic saw presidents and also members of the National Assembly, the legislature, as we'll talk about, all coming from center-center-right coalitions. So we had the Trente Glorieuse taking place against a government of center-right coalitions. So Pompidou, Valerius Gardestein, then comes Mitterrand and then continues with Monsieur Chirac, Monsieur Sarkozy. Then interestingly, we have an alternation once again, Monsieur Hollande. So mind you, those years, the Fourth Republic and the Monsieur de Gaulle, General de Gaulle. So all of these presidents were representing center or center-right. And under these circumstances, taking root of a collective bargaining tradition in general is not really typical. The French, I'm sorry, the German example is a little bit different. I'll explain how when we talk about Germany. But in this system, unions are not supported by the state. And there is no tradition of neocorpetism or consultation. Inequalities, levels and levels, layers and layers of inequalities in France too. Ethnic minorities wise, we have North Africans living in Germany, living in France, residing in France at the end of the decolonization period. They have been recruited in the post-World War II era because they were speaking. They had special relationships with the France. They were the colonies. But also that they were speaking the French language. They were recruited in the post-World War II era. But with the disappearing of unskilled jobs, these ladies and gentlemen were mostly gentlemen who were participating in the labor force. They were getting old. More were coming in. But there was structural change. There was technological change. What's called skill-biased technological change. So this technological change required higher skills, upgrading of skills, updating of skills. But these immigrants had lower skills in general, not all of them. There were, of course, exceptions. So unemployment among them increased, which was, in a way, as a result of technological change, skill-biased technological change. But also there was discrimination increasing. Hostility towards these sectors or segments of society had been increasing. At the same time, women, that's also an interesting story. In the contemporary period, we see massive expansion of family-friendly policies. But in time, I mean, when you look at French labor force participation among women or labor force participation among French women, it had traditionally remained at low levels, like about 40% or below 40% by about 1970s. Then, in the late 1980s, French women had been increasingly participating in the labor force. And they're now participating at around 60%. So 60% of all women are participating in the labor force in France. So that's quite some number. Which really averages, which is around the average across the advanced industrialized countries. Any ideas about Turkey, labor force participation rates among women in Turkey? It's higher than 20, but lower than 30. So imagine the difference between these two countries. In the UK, too, we have high levels of labor force participation, at least as high as France in the contemporary period. Family-friendly policies, what do these policies include? These policies include parental leave. I think it was six months of maternity leave, paid maternity leave, then two weeks of paternity leave by fathers. Family allowances, generous family allowances, increasing family allowances, public daycare, publicly provided daycare, high quality availability, and child allowances. That was also very interesting. Think of it like, in order to engineer or introduce a pronatalist policy, the French government under Monsieur Sarkozy introduced a benefit something to this effect. The first child gets 100 euros. These are all hypothetical numbers. The second child gets another 100 euros per month. So that's about, if you have two kids, that's about 200 euros in addition to your regular household income. But the third child gets 400 euros. So in total, per child, it becomes 600 euros divided by 3, 200 euros. So imagine the incentive that the third child, the marginal child, would bring. So the state had been playing with the incentives of the families, the households. But despite all this, we've got still a very large wage gap, gender wage gap. I think I did talk about the gender wage gap in Britain, which has come down to 10%. We still have about 20% in France. One of the reasons for this gender wage gap is the incidence of part-time versus full-time jobs. Women are increasingly under part or full-time jobs. Part-time jobs. Men still stick to full-time jobs. But women are increasingly under part-time jobs, which mean that their wages and salaries are lower than men's. Youth also is another segment of society which is seen surfacing of inequalities. We see from the 1980s, throughout the 1990s too, and to a certain extent, the 2000s, protection of older workers in France. So the system was geared towards protecting the elderly who had entered into the labor force in the earlier periods, as opposed to young workers coming in. So on top of it, there was labor market deregulation, which meant that it became easier to hire, as well as fire workers. And if a company would be firing workers, the first fired worker would be the one who would be recruited the last. So that also meant that the youth were doubly disadvantaged in the system, which really made the young increasingly vulnerable. There have been some changes brought about by Mr. Sarkozy and followed by Mr. Hollande, their cabinets of providing incentives to firms to recruit younger workers. But we do not see, we still see, high levels of unemployment among the youth in France. Any questions on political economy in France, political economy of economic and social policies? We've seen some comparisons with Britain, that the transglorious and the golden age of capitalism, 20th century capitalism, were similar in terms of the consensus in between, the consensus among capital and labor in both countries, the consensus that the state would provide for, or the state would deliver all these services to the society and that there was massive economic growth with low levels of unemployment and very low levels of inflation. But then we've seen some changes, late 1970s, early 1980s. In Britain, this happens with the conservative revolution, 1979 with Margaret Thatcher, neoliberalism being introduced, first in rhetoric, then being implemented. In parallel, we've seen, in fact, in contrast, we've seen a socialist government coming to power in France, but lasts for about two years in terms of its socialism in one country motto, but then switches to thatcher-like neoliberal policies. And then we see some changes from there onwards. And we see similar structures in terms of the French welfare state and similar structures in terms of inequalities in addition to these social policies. So I think that concludes my discussion on political economy of economics and social policies. Let me briefly talk about, let me briefly introduce to you governance and policymaking, the organization of the French state. Let's briefly talk about that, and then we'll take a break afterwards. Governance and policymaking. We've got, remember, the Fifth Republic, as opposed to the Fourth Republic, installed a strong executive but a weaker parliament. So the Fourth Republic was quite the opposite. Weak executive, stronger parliament. The Fifth Republic installed or introduced a strong executive with a weaker parliament, right? But there have been some reforms. The power of the French executive had been reduced to a certain extent. One reason was it was that there was a power reversal or power transfer away from the center to the subnational. So the regional, local, municipal at the department level, the powers of these administrations had been expanding at the expense of the central state. Remember, we have a state which is highly centralized, which has been highly centralized under the French empire, the ancien régime, right? The French Revolution, yes. And then First Republic, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, still very centralized system because of the instability, because of the fragmentation of the political system. So centralized unitary state was the name of the game. But things have been changing. There had been a consensus that France would be stronger had it kept its centralized unitary structure, had it kept its centralized unitary system intact. But these ideas have been changing since the 1980s, in fact, under socialist government, Mitterrand's government, and under M. Chirac's government, M. Chirac's government in 2003 or around 2003. There have been some reforms towards expanding the role of the subnational elements or units or subnational governments. Second, the state's role in the economy after M. Mitterrand's U-turn, we see a reduction in the role of the state. So rolling back the state is also taking place in France or has been taking place in France too, in addition to or in parallel with France's neighbor across the English Channel. Judicial review by the constitutional court. The Fifth Republic installed the Constitution installed constitutional review. Remember, we talked about the presence, the existence, or absence of a constitutional review when we talked about majoritarian versus consorciational or consensus systems. Remember, Leipzig's models. In this way, we have a constitutional review, which was weaker in history, but in time, the constitutional court is becoming stronger. Its authority is increasing, and the 2000s saw even more expansion in this direction. And term limits on presence, which did not exist. We now have the French president being elected for five years, but there's a term limit on the presence, which means that you can be a candidate or you can run your office only twice in total. So there is a term limit on two times five years. A little bit more to go. When we look at the organization of the state, we see that we've got a semi-presidential system, which means the executive, i.e. the president and the legislature here, members of the parliament, are both directly elected. So both posts, MPs, the legislators, and the president are both directly elected. That's one of the distinguishing characteristics of the semi-presidential system. So we've got a dual executive with the president on top and the prime minister at a lower rank because it is the president who appoints the prime minister. So the president appoints the prime minister. The prime minister has always been, I think if I remember correctly, I don't think there has been an exception, the chairman of the party, who got the largest number of seats in the parliament. So the president invites the chairman of the party and then grants the right to him or her to install, to introduce, to come up with the cabinet of ministers. So what's important here is that each post, each branch, is in a way independent from one another because they're directly elected, but they have to be in relation to one another. In a presidential system, as we shall be talking about, in the US, for example, neither of the two, the legislature and the president, neither of the two elect one another. Here we have, in this case, the president appointing the prime minister. But both are directly elected. The French system has always been criticized for a lack of checks and balances or absence of checks and balances. It has been criticized for that. We've got the president or president's powers rather unrestrained. So there has been some criticism with respect to that. There has been some kind of an imbalance, many critics argue, in terms of the executive and the legislature. The legislature is quite weak vis-a-vis the executive, the head of the executive here. And there have been two political challenges facing the Fifth Republic. One is, remember what we talked about this last time, alternation or alternation. The Fifth Republic and the Fourth Republic and the Fifth Republic had always had center-right coalitions governing, coming to power. Only after 1981, we see a socialist president. So it was, in a way, a litmus test for the system. Would the system get derailed because of an entirely different ideological coalition coming to power, or will the system last? That was a question, really. One wouldn't have thought about it in the contemporary period, but that was one of the questions that observers had. So Mitterrand's defeat of Valéry Jusquard-Esteing was, in a way, an experiment for the Fifth Republic. And the second very important element of French system is cohabitation, which means residing of two different representing different political factions, which is, in a way, you could see it as power sharing among two different ideological units or posts, which has been introduced for the first time in 1986. We had a socialist president continuing his post, Mitterrand. But M. Chirac had received the highest number of seats, won the highest number of seats, representing UMP in the National Assembly. So for the first time, you had a French socialist president inviting a candidate for prime ministry from another alternative faction. So from then onwards, we had the institution of cohabitation in force. But there have been reforms to prevent it, like synchronization of elections and other measures. But we still had the institution of cohabitation being introduced, which was another test to the Fifth Republic in 1986 for the first time. I think I should end here. I know you have another class right after this. I bid you a very nice weekend.