Formation 1999 Vice Chair Amy Lee Fraioli Founded 1999 | Chair Terri Smith MSYP Headquarters Edinburgh, United Kingdom | |
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Fields Youth empowermentrepresentation Type of business Company limited by guarantee Profiles | ||
The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) is a politically-independent organisation that aims to represent the young people of Scotland.
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The SYP is made up of around 150 young people aged from 14−25 across Scotland. 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. The MSYP for Coatbridge and chryston as of 2017 are Jack Campbell and Ryan Kelly, Jack Campbell campaigned on a manifesto of WiFi whilst Ryan Kelly campaigned on a manifesto on bullying and discrimination, succeed Thomas Mair as he vacates the role in June this year. Former msyp have had notable success in politics with Jordan Linden former chairman , becoming a constituency office manager
Scottish youth parliament elections 2013
History
The Scottish Youth Parliament was launched on 30 June 1999 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, 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 and also within the new Scottish Parliament building.
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.