Scottish Youth Parliament
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The Scottish Youth Parliament, also known as SYP, is a democratically elected youth organisation in Scotland, consisting of elected members aged between 14 and 25.
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[edit] About
According to its mission statement, "The Scottish Youth Parliament aims to be an effective, open, honest, inclusive and broad-minded voice for Scotland’s young people." In more detail, the SYP lists its aims as offering young people in Scotland a collective national youth voice; making a difference in society by increasing young people’s participation; promoting a positive image of young people; connecting the processes of policy making and development with young people, and; being an independent and youth-led organisation free from influence, where young people can give their views to policy makers without hindrance, fear or barriers.
Since its inception the SYP has been committed to being an organisation which involves young people across the whole of Scotland and, unlike the Scottish Parliament, holds its 4 annual meetings in locations throughout the country; the meeting of August 2006 was held in the Shetland Islands. The work of the SYP is centred around involving young people in the decision-making process, particularly in consulting with young people and campaigning for these views to be adopted by the relevant decision-makers.
Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) are elected for two year terms, representing Scottish Parliamentary constituencies and national youth voluntary organisations such as the YWCA, LGBT Youth Scotland and Down's Syndrome Scotland.
The SYP is totally youth led, and holds internal elections annually to appoint an Office Bearer team, consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. Also elected are an executive committee, made up of the SYP's 10 subject committee conveners. The Office Bearers also serve as the Board; youth empowerment is fundamental to the organisation. No major decisions are taken by anyone over the age of 25.
The SYP also have a good track record of working with partner organsations, such as Youthlink Scotland, Young Scot, UK Youth Parliament, [Funky Dragon], Northern Ireland Youth Forum, British Youth Council and Oxfam amongst many others.
[edit] History
The Scottish Youth Parliament was launched on the 30th June 1999 in Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, one day before the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament. This was a result of almost ten years of hard work by a group of young people and youth workers who were committed to the idea of a forum to give young people a voice in Scotland.
The Scottish youth parliament has also met in the general assembly room in edinburgh and also within the new Scottish parliament. It meets 3 times a year in different places throughout Scotland.
[edit] See also
[edit] External link
- Scottish Youth Parliament website
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