We must find the time to shape a new country

In this context finding the time to pause and look further ahead is a considerable challenge. Yet we need to find the time.The 2014 referendum on Scottish independence provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to look further ahead together. It is a golden opportunity to discuss, plan and shape our future. Many of us have our heads down planning our next steps but we need to lift our eyes to the horizon.

If civil society is not ready to take this mantle, corporate interests will happily do so in our place.

People & Planet is supporting the 2014 Matters programme to try to bring crucial issues to light in the context of Scotland's political future. There are many vital areas of debate which have, as yet, received little to no discussion in the mainstream media. None of the organisations participating in 2014 Matters have a view on the outcome, but we are passionate about environmental and social justice, and we are gathering questions from our members as a starting point for discussion.

• We will be asking the Better Together and Yes Scotland campaigns to explain how they are going to make Scotland a better country for asylum seekers and have a more just immigration policy.
• We want to know which constitutional arrangement will safeguard peace in the world.
• 100% Renewable electricity generation is a bold target, but where and how can we start a realistic conversation about the climate damage caused by Scotland's oil?

It matters who controls and funds our international development efforts and who decides on poor country debt cancellation. It matters for the fight against poverty whether it is the Scottish Parliament or the UK Parliament that sets our taxes, benefits and trade policy. We export arms all around the world. We import clothes made in sweatshops. Scotland has a huge impact on the world through trade, aid, charity, contributions to foreign policy development and wider policy changes. Which constitutional arrangement will take responsibility for this impact and ensure that we are contributing to a just world? There has never been a better time for this conversation nor has it ever been so vital. This autumn we may very well find ourselves facing the creation of a new nation state. No matter how we vote, if we are passionate about making the world a better place we need to prepare ourselves to shape a new country. If civil society is not ready to take this mantle, corporate interests will happily do so in our place. The charity regulator has been clear: “Scotland's charities are allowed to speak out in the independence referendum”. Many times in the past, Scotland's civil society, its charities, and its NGOs have been a powerful force for change. It's time to take that experience and turn it into a vision for the future.