Open Government Partnership

My journey to the Open Government Civil Society Committee

March 24, 2025 by Open Government Team No Comments | Category Uncategorized

Innes Morgan, Founder and Director of Act with Purpose shared his journey from feeling unheard and under-represented in decision making, to having direct and strategic input into the Scottish Open Government Civil Society Committee and government Steering Group.

Read about his experience below. 

The journey to government  

Innes Morgan,, Founder, Act with Purpose

“I grew up closer to the International Space Station than to Edinburgh or London. It’s made me very interested in how communities like mine can be better represented in decision making. As a child, I saw family members and close friends leave our community in search of better lives; moving hundreds of miles away to central Scotland. I saw schools close, services decline, and opportunities pulled. Amongst all of these changes I saw my community endure. I felt unheard and scared that I too wouldn’t be able to live in the place where I’d grown up. 

So, whilst still at primary school, I decided to start making a lot of noise. I spent my free time writing letters, attending conferences and even inviting councillors around for coffee (without telling my parents). I wanted people to take notice of the issues facing my community. 

As I matured, I like to think so did my tactics. I started to think about how government as a whole could better deliver for society at large. 

I try to focus on that same old passion for building systems that better deliver for places like mine, and people like me.  

I’ve done some weird and wonderful things on this journey so far. For instance, I helped develop the Scottish Rural and Island Youth Parliament bringing together grassroots communities, third sector organisations and large-scale government decision makers. Now I run Act with Purpose. It’s a bold initiative that seeks to build common purpose between civil society, industry, and government to accelerate transformational change. 

If I am being honest, there continue to be moments of real frustration and rejection on this journey. But, at the same time, I am constantly energised and inspired by the people who go out of their way to listen to people like me (you included!). 

Joining the Open Government Partnership community

Before meeting Open Government representatives, I hadn’t heard of the Open Government Partnership. I was aware of the principles of transparency, accountability, inclusion, and participation and I knew of some of the actions government was taking in these areas.  

Through the event Civil Service Live I was introduced to Doreen Grove, Head of the Open Government Team in Scottish Government. We had some really interesting discussions and from there Doreen connected me to Juliet Swann, Co-Chair of the Open Government steering group. In the early days we talked a lot about our visions, ambitions, and our shared love for government procurement. I also recall a metaphor of Open Government as a cruise ship. It’s big. It’s complex. It’s got a lot of people onboard and it’s slow moving. But it does get results. As I look out my window towards the Pentland Firth, I continue to be ever reminded of this image by the passing cruise ships. 

From there I started coming along to the civil society committee meetings and continued to get more heavily involved. I was struck by how accessible it was to join the network and quickly become a member of the civil society committee and steering group. 

Now, I see it [Open Government] as a framework for how you do government. It’s about making every behaviour, and every decision, that bit better. I see the different parts of Open Government, for example participation, as golden threads that run through this.   

Getting involved in the work 

Open Government gives civil society a platform. The partnership sees civil society as being integral to its work, with civil society driving forward and accelerating the Action Plan. It’s been refreshing. 

It’s quite astonishing the influence you have as a member. The great thing is that it’s taken seriously in Scottish Government. The Open Government Steering Group is Co-Chaired by the Minister for Parliamentary Business and there’s representation there from senior civil servants. You are able to input to a strategic dialogue at a high level and see the wheels turning and things changing as a result. It is delivering a tangible programme of change in government.  

I have been particularly intrigued by work to develop the next strategy for Open Government in Scotland. There is a real opportunity ahead to improve the mechanics of government in a way which will have transformational effects for every community in Scotland. 

One thing to consider is the challenge for civil society to invest time and energy. However, you can put in a small amount and still be involved in discussions. The more individuals and organisations that get involved the better we make decision making.  

Open Government can only be as good as who are involved. Having that diversity of knowledge, expertise and experiences is really important.” 

Get in touch 

If you’re wanting to get involved as a member of civil society you can email the Open Government Team to start the conversation. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the Open Government Partnership you can watch this introduction to Open Government in Scotland, read about it at Open Government – gov.scot, and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Tags: accountability, open government, Open Government commitment, participation, Scotland, transparency

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