Stand up for what you believe in! Scottish Youth Parliament open for applications

Applications to stand in the Scottish Youth Parliament’s 2023 elections opened in May and the Council’s Youth Services team is urging local young people to stand up for what they believe in - by standing for election.

Local young people aged between 14 and 25 can put themselves forward to represent Orkney in this national arena for the next two years.

Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) are democratically elected every two years.

Richard Smith, Community Learning Officer with OIC’s Youth Services, part of the wider Community Learning Development & Employability Service (CLDE) says local young people have until 31 July to apply to stand for election: “We’ve been out speaking to secondary school pupils already about the Scottish Youth Parliament, and some of the changes it has helped bring about for young people.

“Anyone aged 14-25 can apply to stand for election – they do this direct with the Scottish Parliament. But we’re here to help guide them from that point onwards.

“After the summer break, we’ll start work with local people who have put their name forward to help them set out their priorities and why their peers should vote for them in November, and they key issues they’d tackle if elected.

“The Scottish Youth Parliament is highly regarded, and MSYPs have opportunities to be heard by decision makers and influence things – so by standing for election you are taking concrete steps to being able to stand up for what you believe in and be a change maker for young people.”

Current MSYP for Orkney, Kaydence Drayak, says her term serving since November 2021 has given her opportunities to share the views of local young people with decision makers: "I am incredibly grateful that I've had the opportunity to be Orkney's MSYP and collaborate with incredible, passionate young people from across Scotland to create positive change.

“Over my term I have attended SYP sittings in Edinburgh and North Lanarkshire - excitingly the next one is right here in Orkney from 1-3 July.

“I have had the opportunity to be a representative at the UK Youth Parliament for the Highlands and Islands. And I’ve been a part of the Mental Health Investigation Team where I helped gather the views of young people, parents and carers to feed back to the Scottish Government on community based mental health services.

“I’ve also been part of the Campaign Development Group on SYP's right to food campaign, where we worked to increase young people's awareness and understanding of their right to food as well as gathering their views to learn about the reality of how accessible the right to food is for young people in Scotland.

“These are just some of many rewarding experiences I have had being a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. I would encourage all young people to have a look at applying, it really is a wonderful opportunity to be an MSYP."

Prospective candidates have until Monday 31 July to register their interest in standing to become an MSYP – an easy process via the Scottish Youth Parliament website.

Young people from Orkney who do put themselves forward will receive training and support from Orkney Islands Council’s, Youth Services team to help them develop their skills over the summer before they launch their election campaigns in the autumn.

The, between Monday 6 November and Sunday 19 November, young people across Scotland will vote to choose their MSYPs, through the Young Scot website.

Cheryl Rafferty is the Council’s Team Manager for Youth Services, and works with OIC’s wider CLDE team and the Council’s Education service to encourage young people to get involved with the Scottish Youth Parliament – either by standing themselves for election, or by voting.

“Being an MSYP is a great opportunity to help drive the change you want to see in Scotland. In the past the Scottish Youth Parliament has played a key role in helping secure votes for 16-year-olds in Scotland, and public transport improvements for young folk including the national Under 22’s free bus travel.

“Personal change is also part of the experience – our MSYPs leave office with increased confidence, an ability to advocate for what they believe in, and incredible friendships.”

Cheryl added that there are also opportunities for young people in Orkney in regard to becoming a member of the Orkney Youth Forum.

“If a young person feels they aren’t quite ready to stand as an MSYP but would like to become involved in the Youth Forum which is the voice of young people in Orkney, they can get in touch with the Forum at youthforumorkney@gmail.com or cld@orkney.gov.uk.

Mollie McGoran MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament said:

“We’re excited to launch our elections for people aged 14 to 25 across the country to stand to become MSYPs, ahead of our 25th anniversary as the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people in 2024.

“This is a chance to join a uniquely youth-led organisation to campaign for change on the important issues that young people care about.

“As well as giving a voice to children and young people, MSYPs will also build their confidence and learn new skills all whilst having fun and making friends along the way.”

Since 1999, MSYPs have successfully campaigned for change for Scotland’s children and young people in their mission to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up.

Previous campaign successes have included free bus travel, protecting young people’s rights by campaigning to bring the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law, and calling for 16 and 17 years old to be able to vote in all Scottish elections.

Young people interested in standing for election to SYP can find out more and register online at syp.org.uk/elections

For more information about youth services in Orkney, contact cld@orkney.gov.uk