by Ray Donnelly

Since his death in August, much has been written of the contribution made by John Hume to peace in Northern Ireland and the many awards he received for his work. The Nobel Prize for Peace, The Gandhi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Peace Prize were recognition of his unique contribution to the coming of peace to Northern Ireland. He was also awarded a Papal Knighthood by Pope Benedict.

There is a lesser known field of work in which Hume played a leading role and which benefited many people, particularly in Scotland. This was in the area of social enterprise and the economic enfranchisement of people of modest means.