Scottish Youth Parliament
Encyclopedia
The Scottish Youth Parliament, also known as SYP, is a democratic, politically independent, inclusive, charity
set up by a group of passionate youth workers as a national voice for young people in Scotland
.
Its mission statement says, "Our vision is of a stronger, more inclusive Scotland that empowers young people by truly involving them in the decision making process". 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
by promoting a positive image of young people; connecting the processes of policy making and development with young people; 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, holds its 3 annual meetings in various 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.
Constituency MSYP elections are organised by the local authority responsible for that area and it is the responsibility of the local authority to support their elected MSYPs. MSYP elections are organised by the relevant local authority and use either the STV
or FPTP voting systems. 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 a Board of Trustees, consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair
and Three Trustee
Directors. Also elected are 10 Subject Committee Conveners, who form the organisation's Conveners Group and select a further Trustee Director to join the Board. The Committee Convener takes on responsibility for co-ordinating the work of their Subject Committee and becomes the lead spokesperson on in that area. A Deputy Convener is also elected.
These two groups of board members & Conveners help to lead the organisation. Youth empowerment being a fundamental key to the organisation, no major decisions are taken by anyone over the age of 25.
in Edinburgh
, one day before the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament
.
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 3 times a year in different locations throughout Scotland.
, CIVICUS, Scottish Local Authorities, UK Youth Parliament
, Funky Dragon
, Northern Ireland Youth Forum
, Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People
, YouthLink Scotland, and the British Youth Council
.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
set up by a group of passionate youth workers as a national voice for young people in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Its mission statement says, "Our vision is of a stronger, more inclusive Scotland that empowers young people by truly involving them in the decision making process". In more detail, the SYP lists its aims as offering young people in Scotland a collective national youth voice
Youth voice
Youth voice refers to the distinct ideas, opinions, attitudes, knowledge, and actions of young people as a collective body. The term youth voice often groups together a diversity of perspectives and experiences, regardless of backgrounds, identities, and cultural differences...
; making a difference in society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
by increasing young people's participation
Youth participation
Youth participation is the active engagement of young people throughout their communities. It is often used as a short-hand for youth participation in any many forms, including decision-making, sports, schools and any activity where young people are not historically engaged.-Coinage:Youth...
by promoting a positive image of young people; connecting the processes of policy making and development with young people; 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, holds its 3 annual meetings in various locations throughout the country; From the Shetland and Orkney islands to venues in the City of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. The work of the SYP is centred around involving young people in the decision-making process
Decision making
Decision making can be regarded as the mental processes resulting in the selection of a course of action among several alternative scenarios. Every decision making process produces a final choice. The output can be an action or an opinion of choice.- Overview :Human performance in decision terms...
, particularly in consulting with young people and campaigning for these views to be adopted by the relevant decision-makers.
Structure
Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) are elected for two year terms, must be aged 14–25, and are elected in one of two 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 ScotlandLGBT Youth ScotlandLGBT Youth Scotland is a voluntary organisation dedicated to the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender young people in the life of Scotland...
and Down's Syndrome ScotlandDown's Syndrome ScotlandDown's Syndrome Scotland works to improve the quality of life for everyone with Down's syndrome. Members include people with Down's syndrome, families and professionals. The charity provides information, support and advice. Down's Syndrome Scotland is a registered charity: Charity No...
(two for each organisation to a maximum of 54 MSYPs)
Constituency MSYP elections are organised by the local authority responsible for that area and it is the responsibility of the local authority to support their elected MSYPs. MSYP elections are organised by the relevant local authority and use either the STV
Single transferable vote
The single transferable vote is a voting system designed to achieve proportional representation through preferential voting. Under STV, an elector's vote is initially allocated to his or her most preferred candidate, and then, after candidates have been either elected or eliminated, any surplus or...
or FPTP voting systems. 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 a Board of Trustees, consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair
Chair
A chair is a stable, raised surface used to sit on, commonly for use by one person. Chairs are most often supported by four legs and have a back; however, a chair can have three legs or could have a different shape depending on the criteria of the chair specifications. A chair without a back or...
and Three Trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
Directors. Also elected are 10 Subject Committee Conveners, who form the organisation's Conveners Group and select a further Trustee Director to join the Board. The Committee Convener takes on responsibility for co-ordinating the work of their Subject Committee and becomes the lead spokesperson on in that area. A Deputy Convener is also elected.
These two groups of board members & Conveners help to lead the organisation. Youth empowerment being a fundamental key to the organisation, no major decisions are taken by anyone over the age of 25.
History
The Scottish Youth Parliament was launched on the 30th June 1999 in Murrayfield StadiumMurrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield Stadium is a sports stadium located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Its all-seater capacity was recently reduced from 67,800 to 67,130 to incorporate the largest permanent "big screen" in the country though it still remains the largest stadium in Scotland and one...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, one day before the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood", is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament...
.
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 3 times a year in different locations throughout Scotland.
Partner organisations
The Scottish Youth Parliament works with many other organisations, including Scottish Government, Oxfam ScotlandOxfam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations working in 98 countries worldwide to find lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. In all Oxfam’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives...
, CIVICUS, Scottish Local Authorities, UK Youth Parliament
UK Youth Parliament
The UK Youth Parliament is a youth organisation in the United Kingdom, consisting of democratically elected members aged between 11 and 18....
, Funky Dragon
Funky Dragon
Funky Dragon is a youth organization in Wales, which describes itself as the Children and Young People's Assembly for Wales. It is a peer-led organization which provides opportunities for young people up to the age of 25 to have their voices heard on issues that affect them.It works closely with...
, Northern Ireland Youth Forum
Northern Ireland Youth Forum
The Northern Ireland Youth Forum is a youth organisation in the United Kingdom, consisting of volunteer members aged between 11 and 25.- NIYF :...
, Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People
Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People
Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People is a post in Scotland whose main task is to promote and safeguard the rights of children and young people. The position, equivalent to the Children's Ombudsman agencies of many other countries, was established by the Commissioner for Children...
, YouthLink Scotland, and the British Youth Council
British Youth Council
The British Youth Council is a UK charity working to empower young people to have a say and be heard. Run by young people for young people, BYC exists to represent the views of young people to government and decision-makers at a local, national, European and international level; and to promote the...
.
Chairs
| Years of Office | Name | Constituency/Voluntary Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| 2000–2001 | Steven Jack | STUC Youth Committee |
| 2001–2002 | Katrina Greig | Hamilton North and Bellshill Hamilton North and Bellshill (Scottish Parliament constituency) Hamilton North and Bellshill is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election... |
| 2002–2004 | Steven Kidd | Motherwell and Wishaw Motherwell and Wishaw (Scottish Parliament constituency) Motherwell and Wishaw is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election... |
| 2004–2005 | Paul Kane | Glasgow Springburn Glasgow Springburn (Scottish Parliament constituency) Glasgow Springburn was a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elected one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election.... |
| 2005–2007 | Rajiv Joshi | Glasgow Govan Glasgow Govan (Scottish Parliament constituency) Glasgow Govan was a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elected one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election.... |
| 2007–2008 | John Loughton John Loughton John Loughton is a youth worker, community activist, charity supporter and a former chairperson of the Scottish Youth Parliament who became prominent when he appeared on and won the British reality show Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack in 2008.- Biography :Loughton comes from North Edinburgh... |
Edinburgh North and Leith Edinburgh North and Leith (Scottish Parliament constituency) Edinburgh North and Leith is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election... |
| 2008-2008 | Kieran Collins | Edinburgh South Edinburgh South (Scottish Parliament constituency) Edinburgh South was a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elected one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election... |
| 2009-2009 | Sam Kerr | LGBT Youth Scotland LGBT Youth Scotland LGBT Youth Scotland is a voluntary organisation dedicated to the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender young people in the life of Scotland... |
| 2009–2011 | Derek Couper | Livingston Livingston, Scotland Livingston is a town in West Lothian, Scotland. It is the fourth post-WWII new town to be built in Scotland, designated in 1962. It is about 15 miles west of Edinburgh and 30 miles east of Glasgow, and is bordered by the towns of Broxburn to the northeast and Bathgate to the northwest.Livingston... |
| 2011–Present | Grant Costello | East Kilbride East Kilbride (Scottish Parliament constituency) East Kilbride is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election... |