Scottish Youth Parliament
 | |
| Formation | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Type | Company limited by guarantee |
| Location | |
Area served | Scotland |
| Fields |
Youth empowerment representation |
Chair | Terri Smith MSYP |
Vice Chair | Amy Lee Fraioli |
| Website |
syp |
The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) is a politically-independent organisation that aims to represent the young people of Scotland.
The SYP is made up of around 150 young people aged from 14−25 across Scotland.[1] Representatives are known as Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs). Every constituency area can elect a MSYP to represent the views and opinions of young people. In addition some MSYPs also attend representing Voluntary Organisations. The SYP meets three times a year.
The SYP campaign on various issues that affect Scotland's young people. The Youth Parliament has been an advocate for Votes at 16 since its inception in 1999 and has campaigned for it ever since. Notably ensuring that Young People could vote aged 16 and 17 in the Referendum on Scottish Independence. The Scottish Youth Parliament have campaigned on a range of issues from their campaign on Equal Marriage - LoveEqually to their Young Carers Campaign - Care. Fair. Share. The Scottish Youth Parliament's current campaign is Speak Your Mind, a campaign focusing on the mental health of children and adolescents
History
The Scottish Youth Parliament was launched on 30 June 1999 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh,[2] one day before the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament.
The group has previously held meetings in the General Assembly Rooms (former temporary home of the Scottish Parliament) in Edinburgh[3] and also within the new Scottish Parliament building.[4]
Partner organisations
The Scottish Youth Parliament works with many other organisations, including Scottish Government, Oxfam Scotland, CIVICUS, Scottish Local Authorities, UK Youth Parliament, Funky Dragon, Northern Ireland Youth Forum, Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People, YouthLink Scotland, Highland Youth Voice, and the British Youth Council.
Chairs
| Years of Office | Name | Constituency/Voluntary Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2000–2001 | Steven Jack | STUC Youth Committee |
| 2001–2002 | Katrina Greig | Hamilton North and Bellshill |
| 2002–2004 | Steven Kidd | Motherwell and Wishaw |
| 2004–2005 | Paul Kane | Glasgow Springburn |
| 2005–2007 | Rajiv Joshi | Glasgow Govan |
| 2007–2008 | John Loughton | Edinburgh North and Leith |
| 2008-2008 | Kieran Collins | Edinburgh South |
| 2009-2009 | Sam Kerr | LGBT Youth Scotland |
| 2009–2011 | Derek Couper | Livingston |
| 2011–2013 | Grant Costello | East Kilbride |
| 2013–2014 | Kyle Thornton | Glasgow Southside |
| 2014–2015 | Louise Cameron | Moray |
| 2015–2016 | Jordan Linden | Uddingston and Bellshill |
| 2016-Present | Terri Smith | Edinburgh Northern and Leith[5] |
See also
References
- ↑ "Holyrood welcomes back Scottish Youth Parliament" (Press release). Scottish Parliament. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
- ↑ "Parliamentary Business : Scottish Parliament" (PDF). Scottish.parliament.uk. 2011-08-14. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ↑ "Photocall and public meeting: Scottish Youth Parliament meeting in Scottish Parliament chamber for first time" (Press release). Scottish.parliament.uk. 23 August 2002. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ↑ "Youth Parliament To Sit At Holyrood". scottish.parliament.uk (Press release). Scottish Parliament. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
- ↑ "Scottish Youth Parliament announces newly elected Chair, Vice Chair, and Board of Trustees" (Press release). Scottish Youth Parliament. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.