Scottish Youth Parliament

Infobox Company
company_name = Scottish Youth Parliament Ltd.
company_
company_type = Company limited by guarantee
foundation = 1999
location = Edinburgh, Scotland
area_served = Scotland
key_people = Kieran Collins MSYP, Chair
Connie Bennett MSYP, Vice Chair
Robin James MSYP, SYP Secretary
Hilary Lynn MSYP, Treasurer
industry = Youth empowerment
homepage = [http://www.scottishyouthparliament.org.uk/ scottishyouthparliament.org.uk]

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.

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; From the Shetland and Orkney islands to venues in the City of Edinburgh. 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.

Elections and Getting Involved

Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) are elected for two year terms, must be aged between 14 and 25 and are elected in one of the three ways:

*As a constituency representative (two for each Scottish Parliamentary Constituency to a total of 146 MSYPs)
*As a representative of a national youth voluntary organisation such as the YWCA, LGBT Youth Scotland and Down's Syndrome Scotland (two for each organisation to a maximum of 100 MSYPs)
*As an MSYP representing a region (with a maximum of 40 MSYPs)

Constituency MSYP elections are organised by the local authority responsible for that area (e.g. City of Edinburgh Council organise elections for Edinburgh MSYPs) and it is the responsibility of the local authority to support their elected MSYPs. Voluntary Organisation MSYPs must be elected from an organisation that represents young people from the whole of Scotland and once more that organisation is responsible for supporting their MSYPs.

The SYP is youth-led, and holds internal elections annually to appoint an Office Bearer team, consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and SYP Secretary. Also elected are 10 Subject Committee Conveners, who, together with the Office Bearers form the SYP's Board. These fourteen elected representatives lead the organisation,youth empowerment being fundamental to the organisation, and no major decisions are taken by anyone over the age of 25.

The SYP works with many 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.

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 previously held Sittings in the General Assembly Rooms (former temporary home of the Scottish Parliament) in Edinburgh and also within the new Scottish Parliament building. It meets 4 times a year in different locations throughout Scotland.

YP Chairs Past & Present

The full list of Scottish Youth Parliament Chairs is as follows:

ee also

- *Community youth development - *Youth politics -

External links

- * [http://www.scottishyouthparliament.org.uk Scottish Youth Parliament] website - Youth Empowerment - - - - - - - - - -