who are we?

We were launched in Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh in 1999 - the day before Scotland's other new Parliament! Several years later we are a group of around 150 elected young people aged between 14 and 25 years, who aim to be a collective national youth voice for all young people in Scotland.

 

youth led

All major decisions in the SYP are taken by people aged 25 or under, all of our directors are this age, though we do have an Advisory Committee including professionals from our various partners.

The current Office Bearers of the SYP, elected by their peers on 22nd June 2008, are:

Chair: Kieran Collins MSYP, Edinburgh South

Vice Chair: Connie Bennett MSYP, Edinburgh South

SYP Secretary: Robin James MSYP, Glasgow Kelvin

Treasurer: Hilary Lynn MSYP, Glasgow Kelvin

You can find out more about the young people involved in running the organisation in our Directors' Bios.

The SYP also employs staff at our office in Rosebery House, Edinburgh.  You can find out more about them in our Staff Bios.

what do we do?

The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) generally meets four times a year, discusses issues which affect young people across Scotland and tries to propose innovative and sometimes radical solutions to these problems and situations. We've just produced "our scotland", a manifesto BY young people, which was put together following responses from over 6,000 young people.  This manifesto will guide our work over the next four year term, setting the overall direction for the way we'll be influencing the decision-making process for the benefit of Scotland's young people.

The Scottish Youth Parliament has received financial support from the Scottish Executive since shortly after it started and this has continued with the recently elected Scottish Government currently providing a large percentage of our running costs.  With strong cross-party support, SYP members have been able to express their views to both government and opposition parties alike, including the First Minister, other Party Leaders and even to the Prime Minister. 

why do we do it?

We think that young people in Scotland have the right to have their views listened to and acted upon. We want to work together with all organisations and groups in Scotland which have a link with young people, to ensure they do as best they can for Scotland's young people.

how does the scottish youth parliament affect me?

Whether you're in education, employment or otherwise, the Scottish Youth Parliament deals with issues which directly affect you and have an impact on your life. We're not just about "youth issues", instead we look at "issues from a young person's perspective", so we'd be just as happy discussing nuclear weapons as we would schools!

what if I want to get involved?

Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) are elected through Local Authorities (up to 2 per Scottish Parliament Constituency) and National Voluntary Organisations (up to 2 places each, once approved by our Board).

Each MSYP serves for a term of two years, with national elections held in odd years (e.g. 2007), though by-elections will happen outwith this time.  Many Local Authorities have recently gone through this process, but if you're interested, get in touch with us using the details below to find out the state of play in your area.   If you're interested in becoming a member, check out the Guide to the SYP to get all the info you need.

Having said all that, the SYP isn't just about its Members, loads of our work means that we are in contact with other interested young people, whether through our "speak:easy" consultation events, local MSYP surgeries and a whole host of other stuff!

And, if this isn't enough to keep you going, you can get in touch with us at info@scottishyouthparliament.org.uk for more information about the Scottish Youth Parliament or to find out how to become a member...