Scottish Youth Parliament to meet in Orkney as election process starts

Orkney will be centre stage for youth voice this weekend, when 100 MSYPs and their support workers gather for the 79th Scottish Youth Parliament sitting, at Kirkwall Grammar School – in the midst of the nomination period for the next Parliament.

The sitting is the first to take place in Orkney for over 15 years and will run over two days - Sunday 2 July and Monday 3 July. It’s organised by Scottish Youth Parliament in collaboration with Orkney Islands Council’s Youth Services team (part of the wider Community Learning and Development and Employability service).

Nominations are currently open for young people to stand for election onto the next Scottish Youth Parliament in November.

During this sitting in Orkney, MSYPs will hear from speakers including local teacher Theophilus Ogbhemhe, Kirkwall Grammar School who’ll talk about Anti-racism in Education alongside MSYPs.

They’ll contribute to discussion and consultations about including the perspectives of care experienced young people and young carers in decision making, involving young people in the Scottish Parliament, and take part in campaign training and updates.

On Saturday participants will be arriving by plane and Northlink Ferries, with a piper from the Stromness Pipe Band welcoming them into the county.

Council Convener Graham Bevan will officially welcome MSYPs and open the sitting on Sunday morning at KGS. He said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming MSYPs to Orkney for a formal sitting the first time in over 15 years. Young people in Orkney have a proud tradition of representing their peers at the Scottish Youth Parliament. We hope the sitting here will inspire young people right across Scotland to stand for election and play their part in making sure young people’s voices are heard, no matter what corner of the nation they may come from.”

On Monday night, MSYPs will be treated to a coach tour, visiting the Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae, with commentary from some faces well known to SYP such as former MSYP Jack Norquoy, Liam McArthur MSYP and former Community Learning Officer and SYP Support Worker Ernie Skea.

OIC’s Youth Services team will also be delivering a workshop to support workers on the ‘See Me, See Change’ resources on tackling mental health stigma and discrimination in schools.

Sunday night will see MSYPs enjoy some local hospitality, with a dinner followed by an Orkney ceilidh with David Bowen and Friends Ceilidh Band.

Gwenda Shearer is Chair of Orkney Islands Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee: “We’re delighted to be hosting this official sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament – it is a great opportunity to showcase to young people from across Scotland the benefits of living in rural communities, but also some of the challenges such as access to services and transport. We hope seeing some of this first hand will foster an understanding of where remote and rural communities need special consideration during policy and decision making – and that MSYPs will also be blessed with a one of our spectacular summer nights while here!”

Kaydence Drayak, Orkney’s MSYP, said: “I’m really excited to be welcoming fellow MSYPs to an official sitting in Orkney during my term – I hope that news of the sitting here and of the issues we’re covering will inspire young people here in Orkney to put themselves forward to be the next MSYPs.”

Cheryl Rafferty, Team Manager Youth Services for OIC, said: “Huge thanks to everyone who’s contributed to the organising or has donated towards this event to make sure it happens. The sitting here in Orkney was originally scheduled to take place in summer 2020 but had to be deferred due to the pandemic – so we’re doubly delighted to welcome MSYPs here.”

To find out more about the Scottish Youth Parliament and how to register to stand for election, visit syp.org.uk/elections