Misplaced Pages

Scottish Youth Parliament: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 12:40, 17 May 2011 edit89.241.70.25 (talk) Removed "Significant Members" heading - no merit.Tag: section blanking← Previous edit Latest revision as of 20:19, 11 December 2024 edit undoNorthernhenge (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers10,293 editsm →Chairs: Repeated refs 
(299 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Scottish youth-led, democratic organisation}}
{{POV|date=October 2008}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox Company
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
| company_name = Scottish Youth Parliament Ltd.
{{Infobox organization
| company_logo = ]
| name = The Scottish Youth Parliament
| company_type = ]
| foundation = 1999 | native_name = Pàrlamaid Òigridh na h-Alba
| native_name_lang = gd
| location = ], ]
| logo = Scottish Youth Parliament logo.jpg
| area_served = ]
| nickname = SYP
| key_people = Chair:
| formation = 30 June 1999
| location = ], Scotland
| Head of Charity = ]
| leader_title = Chair
| leader_name = Ellie Craig
| leader_title2 = Vice-Chair
| leader_name2 = Olivia Brown
| board_of_directors = Beau Johnston, Alannah Louge, Tamsin Gold, Daniela Onyewuenyi, Shafa Waqas, Maya McCrae
| website = https://syp.org.uk
| headquarters = Edinburgh
| fields = ] <br> Youth Representation
| homepage = {{URL|syp.org.uk}}
}}
The '''Scottish Youth Parliament''' ('''SYP''') ({{langx|gd|Pàrlamaid Òigridh na h-Alba}}) is a youth-led, democratic organisation which aims to represent the young people of ].


The SYP is made up of around 166 democratically elected representatives aged 14–25 from across Scotland.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/newsandmediacentre/25076.aspx |title=Holyrood welcomes back Scottish Youth Parliament |publisher=] |date=22 October 2010 |access-date=1 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://syp.org.uk/ |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=Scottish Youth Parliament |language=en-US}}</ref> Representatives are known as Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs). The SYP uses the ] to elect its members, with elections generally taking place every two years - every constituency area elects two MSYPs using the ] electoral system. Over 71,000 votes were cast in the 2019 SYP elections.
'''Derek Couper MSYP'''


Around 22 MSYPs represent Voluntary Organisations such as The Boys Brigade, Scouts Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland and Haggeye instead of constituencies. These MSYPs are directly elected by the Organisations they represent.
Vice Chair:


The SYP meets three times a year at events called sittings. These usually take place in different Scottish Local Authorities, but were held online between 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19. SYP returned to in-person sittings in July 2022 with SYP77 being held in Cumbernauld<ref>{{cite web |title=SYP77 |url=https://twitter.com/OfficialSYP/status/1543161182109974528?s=20 |website=Twitter |access-date=29 July 2023}}</ref>
'''David Leitch MSYP'''


The four core values of the SYP are rights, democracy, inclusion and political impartiality. SYP is non-party political, which means MSYPs do not organise themselves along party lines within the Youth Parliament. All MSYPs essentially sit as independents to avoid partisan politics interfering with their representation of young people, however allegations of a "cliquey culture" and bias towards certain parties has been levied against the majority of the membership, especially the youth leadership.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scottish Daily Express |url=https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/impartial-scottish-youth-parliament-labelled-28337136 |publisher=Scottish Daily Express |access-date=9 October 2024}}</ref>
Trustee Directors:


== Campaigns ==
'''Kris Sinclair MSYP'''
The SYP campaigns on various issues which affect Scotland's young people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Campaigns |url=https://syp.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/ |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=Scottish Youth Parliament |date=9 September 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref>


It has been an advocate for ] since its inception in 1999 and has campaigned for it ever since, notably ensuring that Young People aged 16 and 17 could vote in the Referendum on Scottish Independence in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Votes at 16 |url=https://syp.org.uk/campaign/votes-at-16/ |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=Scottish Youth Parliament |date=June 2012 |language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Claire Ewing MSYP'''


SYP has campaigned on a range of issues: from its campaign to achieve Equal Marriage – Love Equally - to their Young Carers Campaign – Care. Fair. Share.
'''Danielle Rowley MSYP'''


SYP's 2017-18 campaign - Right Here Right Now<ref>{{Cite web |title=Right Here, Right Now |url=https://syp.org.uk/campaign/right-here-right-now/ |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=Scottish Youth Parliament |date=10 June 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref> - centred on improving the protection of young people's rights in Scotland, and was successful in securing a commitment from the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) would be incorporated into Scots Law.
'''Grant Costello MSYP'''
| industry = ]/representation
| homepage =
}}


The '''Scottish Youth Parliament''', also known as SYP, is a ], ] independent, inclusive, ] set up{{By whom|date=March 2011}} as a national voice for young people in ]. The Scottish Youth Parliament's 2018–2019 campaign was "All Aboard",<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Aboard |url=https://syp.org.uk/campaign/all-aboard/ |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=Scottish Youth Parliament |date=10 November 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> which sought to improve young people's experiences of public transport in Scotland.


At the July 2019 Sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament, MSYPs choose environmental protection and climate change as their next national campaign. The campaign was named "Pack it Up, Pack it In",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pack it up, Pack it in |url=https://syp.org.uk/campaign/pack-it-up-pack-it-in/ |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=Scottish Youth Parliament |date=17 September 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> and was formally launched in October 2019.
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 ]; making a difference in ] by increasing ] by promoting a positive image of young people; connecting the processes of policy making and development with young people; being an independent and ] organisation free from influence where young people can give their views to policy makers without hindrance, fear or barriers.


In October 2020, it was decided by the organisation that the next national campaign will focus on a rights-based approach to the COVID-19 Pandemic recovery in Scotland. This campaign was titled 'Bounce Back'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bounce Back |url=https://syp.org.uk/campaign/bounce-back/ |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=Scottish Youth Parliament |date=10 December 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Since its inception the SYP has been committed to being an organisation which involves young people across the whole of Scotland{{Vague|date=March 2011}} and, holds its 3 annual meetings in various locations throughout the country; From the ]<ref>http://www.shetland.gov.uk/community/news/documents/Pressreleasesyp.pdf</ref> and ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youngscot.org/features/?ss=887&s=17&sr=424 |title=Scottish Youth Parliament Meeting in Orkney, September 2007 - by Christopher Blakesley (Blakes) MSYP - Young Scot |publisher=Youngscot.org |date= |accessdate=2008-11-01}}</ref> islands to venues in the City of ]. The work of the SYP is centred around involving young people in the ], particularly in consulting with young people and campaigning for these views to be adopted by the relevant decision-makers.


In March 2022 MSYPs voted on 4 campaign priorities for the 2021-2023 membership. The four campaign priorities were; Right to Food, Climate Crisis, Educational Attainment and Drug Misuse as a Public Health Issue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Campaign Priorities|url=https://syp.org.uk/campaign/national-campaign-priorities/ |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=Scottish Youth Parliament |date=23 September 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==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:


The 2021-2023 campaign priorities were followed in March 2024 with the selection of three new national campaigns for the 2023-2025 membership.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://syp.org.uk/msyps-select-new-national-campaigns/ | title=MSYPs select new national campaigns - Scottish Youth Parliament | date=7 May 2024 }}</ref> The campaigns selected were "Increase mental health training and education", "Invest in and protect youth work services" and "End gender-based violence" and where selected following consultation by MSYPs with over 4000 young people from across Scotland.
*As a constituency representative (two for each Scottish ] to a total of 146 MSYPs)
*As a representative of a national youth voluntary organisation such as the YWCA, ] and ] (two for each organisation to a maximum of 54 MSYPs)


== Governance ==
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 ] or ] voting systems<ref></ref>. 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 Board are responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and are officially the charity's legal custodians.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Who is in charge?|url=https://syp.org.uk/about-syp/who-is-in-charge/|access-date=2021-01-25|website=Scottish Youth Parliament|date=9 September 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref>


The charity is supported by a Staff Team of 13.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our staff team|url=https://syp.org.uk/about-syp/our-staff-team/|access-date=2021-01-25|website=Scottish Youth Parliament|language=en-US}}</ref>
The SYP is youth-led, and holds internal elections annually to appoint a Board of Trustees, consisting of a Chair, Vice ] and Three ] Directors. Also elected are 10 Subject Committee Conveners, who form the organisation's ] Group and select a further ] 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.


The current chief executive officer and company general secretary is Jamie Dunlop.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jamie Dunlop Appointment |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/RsZPtfMYRADmQVWublc6tB1PVNg/appointments |website=Companies House |access-date=29 July 2023}}</ref>
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.


As the organisation is youth-led the chair, vice-chair and trustees are all young people. They are democratically elected during SYP's Annual General Meeting by the membership of that term.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://syp.org.uk/about-syp/who-is-in-charge/boards-and-advisers/ | title=Board and Advisers | date=9 September 2019 }}</ref> The Current Chair is Ellie Craig MSYP, and the current vice-chair is Olivia Brown MSYP. The Board of Trustees consists of the chair, vice-chair, and; Beau Johnston MSYP, Alannah Logue MSYP, Tamsin Gold MSYP, Daniela Onyewuenyi MSYP and Shafa Waqas MSYP. Maya McCrae MSYP, Convener of the Health, Wellbeing and Sport Committee, serves as Convener's Trustee.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://syp.org.uk/about-syp/who-is-in-charge/boards-and-advisers/ | title=Board - Scottish Youth Parliament | date=9 September 2019 }}</ref> The 2024-2025 Board is SYP's first-ever all-female Board of Trustees.
==History==
The Scottish Youth Parliament was launched on the 30th June 1999 in ] in ]<ref>http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/pdf_res_notes/rn01-100.pdf</ref>, one day before the first meeting of the ].


{| class="wikitable"
The Scottish Youth Parliament has previously held Sittings in the General Assembly Rooms (former temporary home of the Scottish Parliament) in Edinburgh<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmcentre/news/news-02/pa02-062.htm |title=Photocall and public meeting: Scottish Youth Parliament meeting in Scottish Parliament chamber for first time |publisher=Scottish.parliament.uk |date= |accessdate=2008-11-01}}</ref> and also within the new Scottish Parliament building<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-08/pa08-008.htm |title=Scottish Parliament - News - Youth Parliament To Sit At Holyrood |publisher=Scottish.parliament.uk |date= |accessdate=2008-11-01}}</ref>. It meets 3 times a year in different locations throughout Scotland.
|+Current SYP Board
!Name
!Constituency
!Board Role
!Portfolio
|-
|Ellie Craig MSYP
|Glasgow Cathcart
|Chair
|To be announced
|-
|Olivia Brown MSYP
|Midlothian North and Musselburgh
|Vice-chair
|To be announced
|-
|Beau Johnston MSYP
|Glasgow Anniesland
|Trustee
|To be announced
|-
|Alannah Logue MSYP
|Na h-Eileanan an Iar
|Trustee
|To be announced
|-
|Tamsin Gold MSYP
|Falkirk West
|Trustee
|To be announced
|-
|Daniela Onyewuenyi MSYP
|Paisley
|Trustee
|To be announced
|-
|Shafa Waqas MSYP
|Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
|Trustee
|To be announced
|-
|Maya McCrae MSYP
|Greenock and Inverclyde
|Convener's Trustee
|To be announced
|}


== History ==
==Partner organisations==
<!--<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/pdf_res_notes/rn01-100.pdf |title=Parliamentary Business : Scottish Parliament |publisher=Scottish Parliament |date=14 August 2011 |access-date=27 October 2013}}</ref>-->


The group has previously held meetings in the ] (former temporary home of the Scottish Parliament) in Edinburgh<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmcentre/news/news-02/pa02-062.htm |title=Photocall and public meeting: Scottish Youth Parliament meeting in Scottish Parliament chamber for first time |publisher=Scottish Parliament |date=23 August 2002 |access-date=1 November 2008}}</ref>) and also within the new Scottish Parliament building,<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/newsandmediacentre/25998.aspx |title=Youth Parliament To Sit at Holyrood |publisher=Scottish Parliament |date=28 February 2008 |access-date=1 March 2016}}</ref> most recently in 2024.<ref name="MSYPs enjoy first Holyrood session in nearly a decade">{{cite news |newspaper=] |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24702694.msyps-enjoy-first-holyrood-session-nearly-decade/|title=MSYPs enjoy first Holyrood session in nearly a decade|date=5 November 2024|first=Bethel|last=Tesfay}}</ref>
The Scottish Youth Parliament works with many other organisations, including ], ], ], Scottish ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and the ].


== Partner organisations ==
==Chairs==
The Scottish Youth Parliament works in partnership with many other organisations, including:


* ]
{{Refimprove|date=March 2011}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* YouthLink Scotland
* ]
* Together: The Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights
* Highland Youth Voice
* ]


== Chairs ==
{| class="toccolours" border="2" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 style="text-align:center; border-collapse:collapse;"
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2011}}
|- colspan=4| Chairs
The Chair of SYP is elected, usually annually, by MSYPs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Board and Advisers|url=https://syp.org.uk/about-syp/who-is-in-charge/boards-and-advisers/|access-date=2021-01-25|website=Scottish Youth Parliament|date=9 September 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref>

A normal term of service is twelve months, although some Chairs have served for longer periods of time for reasons such as a delay in the SYP elections, and some for shorter periods of time for reasons such as resignation.

The Chair of SYP is a voluntary position and is unpaid.

The Chair convenes and facilitates meetings of the Board and the full Scottish Youth Parliament. They are also the primary ambassador of SYP to the public.

There have, to date, been 21 Chairs of SYP since 2000.
{| class="toccolours" border="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="text-align:center; border-collapse:collapse;"
|- colspan="4" | Chairs
!Number
! Years of Office ! Years of Office
! Name ! Name
! Constituency/Voluntary Organisation ! Constituency/Voluntary Organisation
!Notes
|- |-
|1
| 2000–2001
| 2000 - 2001
| Steven Jack | Steven Jack
| STUC Youth Committee | STUC Youth Committee
|First officially noted Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament,
First of three Chairs representing a voluntary organisation
|- |-
|2
| 2001–2002
| 2001 - 2002
| Katrina Greig | Katrina Greig
| ] | ]
|
|- |-
|3
| 2002–2004
| 2002 - 2004
| Steven Kidd | Steven Kidd
| ] | ]
|Served two terms as Chair - first chair to do so
|- |-
|4
| 2004–2005
| 2004 - 2005
| Paul Kane | Paul Kane
| ] | ]
|
|- |-
|5
| 2005–2007
| 2005 - 2007
| Rajiv Joshi | Rajiv Joshi
| ] | ]
|Served two terms as Chair
|- |-
|6
| 2007–2008
| 2007 - 2008
| ]
| John Loughton<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/25501/Big-Brother-Meet-the-contestants|title=Big Brother: Meet the contestants|last=Dyke|first=Peter|date=2008-01-03|website=Dailystar.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-03-16}}</ref>{{deprecated inline|certain=y|date=March 2023}}
| ] | ]
|Founder and CEO of youth charity Dare2Lead,<ref name=mystory>{{Cite web|title=My Story|url=http://www.johnloughton.co.uk/my-story.html|access-date=2021-01-25|website=John loughton|language=en}}</ref>
Named 'Outstanding Youth of the World' 2013,<ref name=mystory/>

Winner of Big Brother Celebrity Hijack 2008<ref name=mystory/>
|- |-
|7
| 2008-2008
| 2008
| Kieran Collins | Kieran Collins
| ] | ]
|
|- |-
|8
| 2009-2009
| 2009
| Sam Kerr | Sam Kerr
| ] | ]
|Second Chair to represent a voluntary organisation
|- |-
|9
| 2009–Present
| 2009 - 2011
| Derek Couper | Derek Couper
| ] | ]
|Served two terms as Chair
|}
|-
|10
| 2011 - 2013
| Grant Costello
| ]
|Served two terms as chair,
SNP Westminster Digital Media Manager,<ref name=staffer>{{Cite web|title=Top SNP staffer Grant Costello throws hat into ring to be MSP candidate|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/18696528.top-snp-staffer-grant-costello-throws-hat-ring-msp-candidate/|access-date=2021-01-26|website=The National|date=4 September 2020 |language=en|first=Andrew|last=Learmonth}}</ref>


Stood to be the SNP's candidate in East Kilbride in the 2021 Scottish Parliament Elections<ref name=staffer/>
==Coverage in the Media==
|-
|11
| 2013 - 2014
| Kyle Thornton
| ]
|Former Conservative Councillor for Newlands/Auldburn ward on Glasgow City Council<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-05-10|title=Councillor Kyle Thornton|url=https://glasgow.gov.uk/KyleThornton|access-date=2021-01-25|website=glasgow.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|12
| 2014 - 2015
| Louise Cameron
| ]
|First Chair to represent a constituency outwith the central belt
|-
|13
| 2015 - 2016
| Jordan Linden
| ]
|Former depute Leader of the SNP group on North Lanarkshire Council<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-08-24|title=North Lanarkshire Council|url=https://mars.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/egenda/public/main.pl?op=MemberDetails&keyid=104&fbclid=IwAR0NHGnKMCOSV4fIJEnM7n-US5VlV5jzTQf8j0yxbmP4XuYUjEzNxJWOMeI|access-date=2021-01-25|website=mars.northlanarkshire.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref>


In 2022 stepped down from Council role over a series of sexual complaints, including from his time at SYP.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2023-09-18|title=SNP sex pest Jordan Linden probed over claims he carried out attack aged 13|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/snp-sex-pest-jordan-linden-30958836|access-date=2023-12-11|work=Daily Record|language=en}}</ref>
{{trivia|date=March 2011}}
|-

|14
'''1 November 2010.''' Andrew Deans, North East Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) gains support from Public Petitions Committee in the Scottish Parliament. He told MSPs that the use of the Mosquito device was discriminatory because it punished all youngsters – even babies and those suffering from autism who could not speak up for themselves – because of the actions of a minority.
| 2016
| Katie Burke
| ]
|
|-
|15
|2016 - 2017
| Terri Smith
| ]
|
|-
|16
|2017 - 2018
| Amy Lee Fravioli
| ]
|Stood in the 2019 European Elections as a Labour candidate in Scotland<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amy Lee Fraioli for Scotland in the European Parliament (UK) elections|url=https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/person/70301/amy-lee-fraioli|access-date=2021-01-25|website=Who Can I Vote For? by Democracy Club|language=en-gb}}</ref>
|-
|17
|2018 - 2019
|Suki Wan
| ]
|
|-
|18
|2019 - 2020
|Jack Dudgeon
| ]
|Term as chair extended due to COVID-19 pandemic
|-
|19
|2020 - 2022
|Josh Kennedy
| ]
|Term as chair extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic
|-
|20
|2022 - 2023
|Sophie Reid<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-28 |title=Companies House Sophie Reid Appointment |url=https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/document-api-images-live.ch.gov.uk/docs/dsnpXzbryxrnUM0T-Z9GbDjCtdzXWjJmus3c4XHuFZI/application-pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAWRGBDBV3ERTZHKX2%2F20220807%2Feu-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20220807T192713Z&X-Amz-Expires=60&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEJf%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCWV1LXdlc3QtMiJGMEQCIHYdsSY%2FJNzMEAV4OcwkOPb%2Ba2Ee1piYdTuOPPC0VjZiAiARbYYaQx79b3hOUirPnsOT7XMOJw4xcKegFS0E6RWyqircBAjw%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F8BEAQaDDQ0OTIyOTAzMjgyMiIMlGNPHcvt1mBNv4l0KrAEG75zSOpDBlLZfCI49BqTo6D8wed9gNBkSw2njWLTneLjIK6XYu1lMraN7kjxFUAZzCyqIiM2oQvd0NZazrDfGJE1bS4%2FM9h6CM%2FgiJxPZ5nch4p2cTlDF14AMNMY9N384EkUbTGghs3dtn72vghD4Q28brR%2B1b7wIynQwI%2BkcxrKHOU98KkM2%2FSwLBB8wh5etDh3oWnDUcSZ527tX0jvb2gZ1p8O4rHkOmxmk%2BqtPrKIMGNnjm9uZB8EGnV98P30IaIKxGrCf67lWRYGuWoCbYmyAIZlVDXlcm7lbP6p%2B%2F%2F1tf5QzlZZuVpUBj379bUzSe4%2FdubV6ocUQnvKBMKMqymwbLtOnFHQzjGaQmhfaOxCqK7qiJiMrzZ4tychbztcKg%2BpMcr%2B6%2BaVpeE%2BsjLjqQDaGW48IOXlAZnCXhvBvt2IcQ7Kj6kPaELy0TecvVIH1B1vHOefXBxIbWI2zwDRpTBrpRNaQs528IFheSHucy76QS3cqWbnrHceDg2iVBN7BYf6scyVDQXMTYxtQ8plq7sLg%2FQR5aYax%2FRqO0NVA3oa7LJ2DcgKgGY64%2Bspoe3di6MmP4l6cLSWHVape9U%2FnD4trzxJcP5RX%2Fis6eOtzOk2mVBNLq9EN8M3slMM0oTNvIqSwnyD3Amy6t2WVe1%2Bq26X2zX6656dE2iiqZpf9Do2EFjQmRl0ox5b5OMWuMD%2FSVWROplamx2vKmfUf%2Bf%2B10xP3PM8LiHw0o821wuEGREwi6u%2FlwY6qgEA8iYSIrlK8nHIYlUwzEfp1v5u5Z7P7emAInshVgRm9kuEq0okMHEkXS49zhwI6nQGZ4M78zXaTWlfZAJPHFSivJZBh2Lg3aNWVnfCyyiFgI3tyIQulyUy5dYVpOQwnUKWQ2Mmr%2ByYqWOiib%2FcSDe%2FNtdWpabG%2FZ%2FgW1Cj6zsXl1LfILt5KplxFW03uyGtEJpXvDB1GY4CnewZ4%2BLVlbWLqlL2JloDxpRYgg%3D%3D&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%3D%22companies_house_document.pdf%22&X-Amz-Signature=d051e525f29a1d8d0f2a2b7be984391347ae261ecc01d32a8d744f72e17d2a7c}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Board and Advisers |url=https://syp.org.uk/about-syp/who-is-in-charge/boards-and-advisers/ |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=Scottish Youth Parliament |date=9 September 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|Girlguiding Scotland
|Third Chair to represent a voluntary organisation
|-
|21
|2023 - 2024
|Mollie McGoran
|]
|First Chair from the Scottish ]
|-
|22
|Incumbent Chair
|Ellie Craig
|]
|First Chair to lead an entirely female board
Chair during 25th Anniversary Year
|}
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.syp.org.uk/board_members|title=Board Members|website=Scottish Youth Parliament|access-date=3 December 2017}}</ref>


== Chief Executive Officers ==
“Let us imagine for a second the reaction if a device were created which served a similar purpose but could only be heard by black people or women,” said Andrew, who represents West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine in the Youth Parliament.
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2011}}


{| class="toccolours" border="2" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 style="text-align:center; border-collapse:collapse;"
“There would be outrage. Would a government ever allow that device to be used? Absolutely not.”
|- colspan=4| CEOs
! Years of Office

! Name
'''22 July 2010.''' Austin Sheridan MSYP for Glasgow Govan, Convener of External Affairs showed his on-going support for the campaign for human rights in The Gambia to improve. Sheridan said "The struggle for human rights in The Gambia should be sustained to raise more awareness about the situation and get more decision makers involved. “Back in 2009 the NUJ organized a protest when seven Gambian journalists were arrested, which for me was a real experience. I would have never known the problems faced by the Gambian people if I had not attended that protest”.
! Time Served
He added: “I also commend the work that all politicians are doing from different political parties to ensure that the Gambian situation is given a priority. I will continue my support for this cause and I congratulate Alieu Ceesay for campaigning for the human rights of Gambians."
|-

| 2002 - 2003
'''27 March 2010.''' Derek Couper, 19, of ], who is currently ] of the Scottish Youth Parliament, was named as the 'Top Politician of the Future' at the ]-sponsored ] .
| Alan Gemmell

| 11 Months
'''11 March 2010.''' Midlothian's Scottish Youth Parliament representative Danielle Rowley (19), from ], was fronting a ] campaign, which had more than 750 members and an online ] in a bid to persuade ] Council to reconsider primary school music tuition cuts .
|-

| 2003 - 2004
'''1 January 2010,''' 14-year-old Graeme McGhee ] was among 164 young people who gathered in ] to decide what should be done about ]. The S3 pupil won a ] competition he had spotted on ], impressing judges with an essay about climate change .
| Stephen Bermingham

| 9 Months
'''3 February 2010.''' A steering group was established to set up an official ] ]. Representatives from Dundee City Council’s education and leisure and communities departments met with members of Dundee Youth Voice and the Scottish Youth Parliament to decide on how the process should move forward .
|-

| 2004 - 2006
A controversial device designed to tackle antisocial behavior could be banned by the Scottish Government after Justice Secretary ] voiced concerns about it “indiscriminately” targeting young people. The <ref>]</ref> is a small white box which can be fixed to walls and is designed to irritate young people so much that after several minutes of the noise they have to leave the area. Many businesses and residents across ] have turned to the Mosquito, which works by emitting a harmless ] tone that generally can be heard only by people aged 20 and under, to scare off troublemakers. There is a growing campaign against the equipment, and the Scottish Youth Parliament recently backed a motion presented by Andrew Deans MSYP calling for it to be banned .
| Derek Millar

| 1 Year, 11 Months
'''16 February 2010'''. Claire Ewing, 19, member of the Scottish Youth Parliament was listed as one of Scotland's most eligible women; #21 by the ] paper. Described as "a woman going places, Claire is one of the most prominent figures in the Scottish Youth Parliament, representing Dunfermline West".
|-

| 2006 - 2008
'''18 December 2009''', a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament joined his local ] ]. John Beaton, (16), hopes to get young people's views heard by working with ] and ] leaders on the board of the Almond ] ]. He hopes this will encourage more of his peers to take an interest in their community .
| Kelly Chambers
| 1 Year, 5 Months
|-
| 2008 - 2010
| Ann Brown
| 2 Years, 5 Months
|-
| Sept 2010 - June 2011
| Interim CEO
| 7 Months
|-
| 2011 - 2015
| Hamira Khan
| 4 Years, 1 Month
|-
| 2015 - 2023
| Ben McKendrick
| 7 years, 10 months<ref>{{cite web | url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/grrZ5Xuq9oQTRW6NusARW5kCMro/appointments | title=Ben MCKENDRICK personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK }}</ref>
|-
| 2023–Present
| Jamie Dunlop
| Current CEO
|-
|}
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.syp.org.uk/board_members|title=Board Members|website=Scottish Youth Parliament|access-date=3 December 2017}}</ref>


== Current Membership ==
'''On August 13, 2009''' Austin Sheridan MSYP attended a protest in support of Gambian Journalists who have been imprisoned on charges of sedition. Austin Sheridan said "it was a ‘learning experience’ for him" <ref>http://www.localnewsglasgow.co.uk/2009/08/glasgow-fair-vigil-for-jailed-gambian-journalists/</ref>
The current composition of MSYP's for the 2023-2025 membership can be found below:


https://syp.org.uk/syp-elections-2023-results/
Austin Sheridan MSYP for Glasgow Govan was also criticised for supposedly saying he would never work without any BNP member or supporter while in office, the story made the youth BNP website, Austin Sheridan MSYP denies such claims and said that he listens to all of his constituents and treats everyone fairly.<ref>http://youth.bnp.org.uk/archives/340</ref>,


== Alumni ==
The Scottish Youth Parliament was also accused of trying to stop MSYPs expressing views by a constituent of Austin Sheridan MSYP, the constituent said "the SYP do not like members speaking against them, But well done Austin for standing up for what he believes in!" the constituent then went onto say "I don't understand why MSYPs cant speak their mind!"<ref>http://govan.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/my-msyp-stands-up-to-bnp.html</ref>
], Green MSP for the West of Scotland and the youngest MSP ever elected to the Scottish Parliament<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ross Greer MSP|url=https://greens.scot/ross-greer-msp|access-date=2021-01-26|website=Scottish Greens|language=en}}</ref> (2016–present), is a former MSYP.


], former Labour MP for Midlothian (2017–19), is a former MSYP.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-11-10|title=About Me|url=https://daniellerowleymsyp.wordpress.com/about-dani/|access-date=2021-01-26|website=Dani Speaks Up|language=en}}</ref>
'''On 8 October 2008,''' ] reported on the suspensions of SYP members, including Chairperson Kieran Collins and Health Convener Daniel Robertson after an alleged alcohol-fuelled party the evening before an SYP sitting. This report came just after the Scottish Government's plans to raise the legal age to purchase alcohol to 21 were rejected in Parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article1766960.ece |title=Youth Parly booze shame |publisher=The Scottish Sun |date= |accessdate=2008-12-15}}</ref>


==See also== == See also ==
* ]
*]
* ]
*]
*] * ]
* ]
* ]


==References== == References ==
{{Reflist}}
General Information comes from "Guide to SYP" available on the Scottish Youth Parliament's website<ref>http://www.scottishyouthparliament.org.uk/portalbase/pages/download.aspx?locationId=b7bbf130-b31b-4d5a-98e0-f90f0808314f</ref><references />


==External links== == External links ==
* {{Official website}}
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*


{{Youth Empowerment}} {{Youth empowerment}}
{{Authority control}}


] ]
Line 166: Line 369:
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 20:19, 11 December 2024

Scottish youth-led, democratic organisation

The Scottish Youth Parliament
Pàrlamaid Òigridh na h-Alba
NicknameSYP
Formation30 June 1999
HeadquartersEdinburgh
Location
FieldsYouth Empowerment
Youth Representation
ChairEllie Craig
Vice-ChairOlivia Brown
Board of directorsBeau Johnston, Alannah Louge, Tamsin Gold, Daniela Onyewuenyi, Shafa Waqas, Maya McCrae
Websitehttps://syp.org.uk

The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid Òigridh na h-Alba) is a youth-led, democratic organisation which aims to represent the young people of Scotland.

The SYP is made up of around 166 democratically elected representatives aged 14–25 from across Scotland. Representatives are known as Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs). The SYP uses the Scottish Parliamentary constituency structure to elect its members, with elections generally taking place every two years - every constituency area elects two MSYPs using the Single Transferable Vote electoral system. Over 71,000 votes were cast in the 2019 SYP elections.

Around 22 MSYPs represent Voluntary Organisations such as The Boys Brigade, Scouts Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland and Haggeye instead of constituencies. These MSYPs are directly elected by the Organisations they represent.

The SYP meets three times a year at events called sittings. These usually take place in different Scottish Local Authorities, but were held online between 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19. SYP returned to in-person sittings in July 2022 with SYP77 being held in Cumbernauld

The four core values of the SYP are rights, democracy, inclusion and political impartiality. SYP is non-party political, which means MSYPs do not organise themselves along party lines within the Youth Parliament. All MSYPs essentially sit as independents to avoid partisan politics interfering with their representation of young people, however allegations of a "cliquey culture" and bias towards certain parties has been levied against the majority of the membership, especially the youth leadership.

Campaigns

The SYP campaigns on various issues which affect Scotland's young people.

It 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 aged 16 and 17 could vote in the Referendum on Scottish Independence in 2014.

SYP has campaigned on a range of issues: from its campaign to achieve Equal Marriage – Love Equally - to their Young Carers Campaign – Care. Fair. Share.

SYP's 2017-18 campaign - Right Here Right Now - centred on improving the protection of young people's rights in Scotland, and was successful in securing a commitment from the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) would be incorporated into Scots Law.

The Scottish Youth Parliament's 2018–2019 campaign was "All Aboard", which sought to improve young people's experiences of public transport in Scotland.

At the July 2019 Sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament, MSYPs choose environmental protection and climate change as their next national campaign. The campaign was named "Pack it Up, Pack it In", and was formally launched in October 2019.

In October 2020, it was decided by the organisation that the next national campaign will focus on a rights-based approach to the COVID-19 Pandemic recovery in Scotland. This campaign was titled 'Bounce Back'.

In March 2022 MSYPs voted on 4 campaign priorities for the 2021-2023 membership. The four campaign priorities were; Right to Food, Climate Crisis, Educational Attainment and Drug Misuse as a Public Health Issue.

The 2021-2023 campaign priorities were followed in March 2024 with the selection of three new national campaigns for the 2023-2025 membership. The campaigns selected were "Increase mental health training and education", "Invest in and protect youth work services" and "End gender-based violence" and where selected following consultation by MSYPs with over 4000 young people from across Scotland.

Governance

The Board are responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and are officially the charity's legal custodians.

The charity is supported by a Staff Team of 13.

The current chief executive officer and company general secretary is Jamie Dunlop.

As the organisation is youth-led the chair, vice-chair and trustees are all young people. They are democratically elected during SYP's Annual General Meeting by the membership of that term. The Current Chair is Ellie Craig MSYP, and the current vice-chair is Olivia Brown MSYP. The Board of Trustees consists of the chair, vice-chair, and; Beau Johnston MSYP, Alannah Logue MSYP, Tamsin Gold MSYP, Daniela Onyewuenyi MSYP and Shafa Waqas MSYP. Maya McCrae MSYP, Convener of the Health, Wellbeing and Sport Committee, serves as Convener's Trustee. The 2024-2025 Board is SYP's first-ever all-female Board of Trustees.

Current SYP Board
Name Constituency Board Role Portfolio
Ellie Craig MSYP Glasgow Cathcart Chair To be announced
Olivia Brown MSYP Midlothian North and Musselburgh Vice-chair To be announced
Beau Johnston MSYP Glasgow Anniesland Trustee To be announced
Alannah Logue MSYP Na h-Eileanan an Iar Trustee To be announced
Tamsin Gold MSYP Falkirk West Trustee To be announced
Daniela Onyewuenyi MSYP Paisley Trustee To be announced
Shafa Waqas MSYP Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Trustee To be announced
Maya McCrae MSYP Greenock and Inverclyde Convener's Trustee To be announced

History

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, most recently in 2024.

Partner organisations

The Scottish Youth Parliament works in partnership with many other organisations, including:

Chairs

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The Chair of SYP is elected, usually annually, by MSYPs.

A normal term of service is twelve months, although some Chairs have served for longer periods of time for reasons such as a delay in the SYP elections, and some for shorter periods of time for reasons such as resignation.

The Chair of SYP is a voluntary position and is unpaid.

The Chair convenes and facilitates meetings of the Board and the full Scottish Youth Parliament. They are also the primary ambassador of SYP to the public.

There have, to date, been 21 Chairs of SYP since 2000.

Number Years of Office Name Constituency/Voluntary Organisation Notes
1 2000 - 2001 Steven Jack STUC Youth Committee First officially noted Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament,

First of three Chairs representing a voluntary organisation

2 2001 - 2002 Katrina Greig Hamilton North and Bellshill
3 2002 - 2004 Steven Kidd Motherwell and Wishaw Served two terms as Chair - first chair to do so
4 2004 - 2005 Paul Kane Glasgow Springburn
5 2005 - 2007 Rajiv Joshi Glasgow Govan Served two terms as Chair
6 2007 - 2008 John Loughton Edinburgh North and Leith Founder and CEO of youth charity Dare2Lead,

Named 'Outstanding Youth of the World' 2013,

Winner of Big Brother Celebrity Hijack 2008

7 2008 Kieran Collins Edinburgh South
8 2009 Sam Kerr LGBT Youth Scotland Second Chair to represent a voluntary organisation
9 2009 - 2011 Derek Couper Livingston Served two terms as Chair
10 2011 - 2013 Grant Costello East Kilbride Served two terms as chair,

SNP Westminster Digital Media Manager,

Stood to be the SNP's candidate in East Kilbride in the 2021 Scottish Parliament Elections

11 2013 - 2014 Kyle Thornton Glasgow Southside Former Conservative Councillor for Newlands/Auldburn ward on Glasgow City Council
12 2014 - 2015 Louise Cameron Moray First Chair to represent a constituency outwith the central belt
13 2015 - 2016 Jordan Linden Uddingston and Bellshill Former depute Leader of the SNP group on North Lanarkshire Council

In 2022 stepped down from Council role over a series of sexual complaints, including from his time at SYP.

14 2016 Katie Burke North East Fife
15 2016 - 2017 Terri Smith Edinburgh Northern and Leith
16 2017 - 2018 Amy Lee Fravioli Rutherglen Stood in the 2019 European Elections as a Labour candidate in Scotland
17 2018 - 2019 Suki Wan Glasgow Shettleston
18 2019 - 2020 Jack Dudgeon Eastwood Term as chair extended due to COVID-19 pandemic
19 2020 - 2022 Josh Kennedy Renfrewshire North and West Term as chair extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic
20 2022 - 2023 Sophie Reid Girlguiding Scotland Third Chair to represent a voluntary organisation
21 2023 - 2024 Mollie McGoran Inverness and Nairn First Chair from the Scottish Highlands
22 Incumbent Chair Ellie Craig Glasgow Cathcart First Chair to lead an entirely female board

Chair during 25th Anniversary Year

Chief Executive Officers

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Years of Office Name Time Served
2002 - 2003 Alan Gemmell 11 Months
2003 - 2004 Stephen Bermingham 9 Months
2004 - 2006 Derek Millar 1 Year, 11 Months
2006 - 2008 Kelly Chambers 1 Year, 5 Months
2008 - 2010 Ann Brown 2 Years, 5 Months
Sept 2010 - June 2011 Interim CEO 7 Months
2011 - 2015 Hamira Khan 4 Years, 1 Month
2015 - 2023 Ben McKendrick 7 years, 10 months
2023–Present Jamie Dunlop Current CEO

Current Membership

The current composition of MSYP's for the 2023-2025 membership can be found below:

https://syp.org.uk/syp-elections-2023-results/

Alumni

Ross Greer, Green MSP for the West of Scotland and the youngest MSP ever elected to the Scottish Parliament (2016–present), is a former MSYP.

Danielle Rowley, former Labour MP for Midlothian (2017–19), is a former MSYP.

See also

References

  1. "Holyrood welcomes back Scottish Youth Parliament" (Press release). Scottish Parliament. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  2. "Home". Scottish Youth Parliament. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  3. "SYP77". Twitter. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  4. "Scottish Daily Express". Scottish Daily Express. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  5. "Campaigns". Scottish Youth Parliament. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  6. "Votes at 16". Scottish Youth Parliament. June 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  7. "Right Here, Right Now". Scottish Youth Parliament. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  8. "All Aboard". Scottish Youth Parliament. 10 November 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  9. "Pack it up, Pack it in". Scottish Youth Parliament. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  10. "Bounce Back". Scottish Youth Parliament. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  11. "Campaign Priorities". Scottish Youth Parliament. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  12. "MSYPs select new national campaigns - Scottish Youth Parliament". 7 May 2024.
  13. "Who is in charge?". Scottish Youth Parliament. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  14. "Our staff team". Scottish Youth Parliament. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  15. "Jamie Dunlop Appointment". Companies House. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  16. "Board and Advisers". 9 September 2019.
  17. "Board - Scottish Youth Parliament". 9 September 2019.
  18. "Photocall and public meeting: Scottish Youth Parliament meeting in Scottish Parliament chamber for first time" (Press release). Scottish Parliament. 23 August 2002. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  19. "Youth Parliament To Sit at Holyrood" (Press release). Scottish Parliament. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  20. Tesfay, Bethel (5 November 2024). "MSYPs enjoy first Holyrood session in nearly a decade". The Herald.
  21. "Board and Advisers". Scottish Youth Parliament. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  22. Dyke, Peter (3 January 2008). "Big Brother: Meet the contestants". Dailystar.co.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  23. ^ "My Story". John loughton. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  24. ^ Learmonth, Andrew (4 September 2020). "Top SNP staffer Grant Costello throws hat into ring to be MSP candidate". The National. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  25. "Councillor Kyle Thornton". glasgow.gov.uk. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  26. "North Lanarkshire Council". mars.northlanarkshire.gov.uk. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  27. "SNP sex pest Jordan Linden probed over claims he carried out attack aged 13". Daily Record. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  28. "Amy Lee Fraioli for Scotland in the European Parliament (UK) elections". Who Can I Vote For? by Democracy Club. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  29. "Companies House Sophie Reid Appointment". 28 October 2020.
  30. "Board and Advisers". Scottish Youth Parliament. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  31. "Board Members". Scottish Youth Parliament. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  32. "Ben MCKENDRICK personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK".
  33. "Board Members". Scottish Youth Parliament. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  34. "Ross Greer MSP". Scottish Greens. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  35. "About Me". Dani Speaks Up. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2021.

External links

Youth empowerment
Elements
Types
Barriers
Related topics
Categories: