Lead the Way campaign consultation ends soon
This is the last chance to tell us what issues are important to you!
We’re creating a 2016-2021 Youth Manifesto, so we can lead#thewayto2021.
Time is running out, so give us your views on education, rights, the environment and more today! Your response will make it into our manifesto, so we can campaign on the issues that matter to you.
Take a minute to fill out our survey now:
We-CTV Award for North Edinburgh Young People’s Forum
North Edinburgh Young People’s Forum (NEYPF) has won second prize in a national competiton organised by the Scottish Youth Parliament. Josh, Laura and Brandin’s entry was the only submission from Edinburgh to win an award at this week’s presentation ceremony (writes Dave Pickering).
Launched last June, the We-CTV Competition asked young people to address issues of interpersonal violence in communities. Groups were asked to produce a piece of creative work on themes like knife crime, abuse and online bullying in one of three categories: Art (drawing, painting, textiles), Literary (creative or discursive writing) or Multimedia (video or audio).
NEYPF decided to take part in the competition and agreed to write a piece on bullying.
It’s been a long process. Entrants were first asked to submit an expression of interest by the end of August 2014. The creative concept deadline was 31 October and a National Creative We-CTV Production Day took place on 11 November, giving entrants an opportunity to meet with creative experts and share ideas. The final submission deadline for ‘creative solution’ entries was 16 January and this was followed by an online vote.
The group has had an anxious wait since voting closed on 8 February, but the NEYPF were rewarded for their hard work when they were announced as runner-up in the Literary category at Wednesday evening’s awards which were held in Glasgow’s Film Theatre.
Josh Ward (13), Laura Hulbert (14) and Brandin Sharpe (13) – all of whom took part in a training session with NEN last Autumn – attended the gala event with NEYPF youth worker Danielle Ward and were delighted to win second prize in their category. As well as the Award, each team member received a certificate and vouchers from Pizza Express and Vue Cinemas.
Their certificates read: ‘Their contribution helped raise awareness of interpersonal violence against young people‘.
Prizes aside, the highlight of the event for the Forum members was meeting Sanjeev Kohli, Still Game’s Naveed, who was MC for the evening! His quote: ‘I am just a monkey in a suit’ was the group’s favourite.
The final words, quite rightly, go to the NEYPF members. “It was an emotional rollercoaster!” said Brandin, while Josh added: “It was fun and I met Navid and we came second!”
Short and sweet but says it all! Well done, NEYPF!
You still have seven days to cast your vote in the Scottish Youth Parliament elections …
The Scottish Youth Parliament is a non-party political organisation made up of 150 young people representing every constituency in Scotland. It campaigns to highlight the views of Scotland’s young people on a national and international stage.
Its members meet three times each year at a range of different locations, including in the main chamber at Holyrood’s Scottish Parliament.
There are 12 seats representing Edinburgh open to candidates who receive the most votes at the elections in March. These are in six city areas: Central, Eastern, Northern & Leith, Pentlands, Southern and Western.
Anyone aged between 12 and 25 is eligible to vote – to get involved young people can log onto the Young Scot website and use their Young Scot number to vote (temporary numbers for voting are also available from a selection of schools and community venues across the city).
EDINBURGH NORTHERN & LEITH CANDIDATES
EILIDH MACKAY
Hello, I’m Eilidh, and I want to be your MSYP for Edinburgh North and Leith. Why Me?
I am passionate about being a voice for young people in my area and across Scotland
I think there are important changes that need to be made for the benefit of young people in our country
I have been a member of the Youth Issues forum for 4 years, proving my enthusiasm and meaning I know what issues are important to young people in Edinburgh
I have a lot of experience in public speaking so won’t be afraid to speak out about the issues that are important
MAIN ISSUES
Votes at 16
This is something I feel very strongly about; we have a voice that deserves to be heard
Sex Education
I feel that there is a serious lack of proper sex ed in schools. This is an issue I’ve heard from a lot of people and one I promise to take forward
School Dinners
Everyone knows school dinners are awful, so why has nothing changed? There needs to be a proper look taken at the quality and healthiness of what we serve to school students.
Follow Me – @littlenerdyscot – and tweet me with any questions you may have. I Hope I Have Your Vote!
KIERAN REAPE
Why I’m Standing
I’m standing for Edinburgh Northern and Leith in the upcoming 2015 Scottish Youth Parliament elections to represent the young people in the
Edinburgh Northern and Leith constituency.
What I will support and commit to as a Member of Scottish Youth Parliament:
– Votes at 16 (including all elections; UK and Scottish General Elections;
European Elections and Local Council Elections)
– Equality in Young People.
– Higher minimum wage for under-18’s and Modern Apprentices
I want Votes at 16 to become a reality across every type of election possible. This ties in with equality in young people. Young people should be able to Vote.
I also want Modern Apprentices and Under 18’s to be paid higher. The Modern Apprenticeship minimum wage is £2.73 per hour. Compare
that to the National Minimum of £6.50 per hour and you can see that the
gap is far too big.
A little bit about me
I’m 17 years old and born and raised in Edinburgh. I attended Drummond Community High School. After leaving in 5th year I ended up doing some work with the European Parliament shortly after I left school and eventually started a Certificate of Work Readiness at
the National Records of Scotland in January 2014 to March 2014.
I completed the certificate in March and achieved a Highly Commended SQA Star Award for my efforts there and my destination of work after the placement. After the placement I immediately started a one year modern apprenticeship for a SVQ Level 2 in Business and Administration. I now work for the Scottish Government.
Like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KieranReapeMSYP
Follow me on Twitter: @Keezor
Email me: K.L.Reape@gmail.com
Please note that due to the Code of the Civil Service, my influence on anything to do with the portfolio I will work in is extremely limited. It’s fortunate that each constituency actually has two MSYP’s. In the case of a portfolio topic, of where I work was to arise, I would plan to hand it over to the other MSYP of the constituency.
TERRI SMITH
SYP_Manifesto_Terri_Smith_Edinburgh_Northern_and_Leith
Past experience:
I’ve been a MSYP since 2009
Current Vice Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament
Peer educator/mentor locally & nationally
Youth Worker with disadvantaged young people
Involved in 3 successful national campaigns
Registered over 200 young people to vote in the referendum
Why vote for me?
I have vast experience
I’m hard working
Great at public speaking
I love working with young people
I always throw in a bit of banter
I’m committed to further representing you for another 2 years!
I have a great working relationship with our politicians.
A vote for #TeamTerri is a vote for …
1. More support for LGBT young people
2. More knowledge and access to local and national opportunities
3. Engage and provide more support to the local youth forum and youth clubs/groups
4. Campaign to improve work experience
5. Tackle bullying In schools and provide further support for bullied young people
6. Continue to work with NUS Scotland to ensure college and university students aren’t facing further cuts to their education.
‘We’ve seen from the success of young people voting in the Independence Referendum that there’s a real appetite out there for them to engage in politics’ – Cllr Cathy Fullerton
Young people in Edinburgh are being urged to vote in the Scottish Youth Parliament elections which start today – and for the first time young voters will be able to cast their vote online from today until Friday 13 March.
Anyone aged between 12 and 25 in the Capital is eligible to vote and to get involved young people can log onto the Young Scot website and use their Young Scot number to vote (temporary numbers for voting are also available from a selection of schools and community venues across the city).
There are 12 seats representing Edinburgh open to candidates who receive the most votes at the elections in March. These are in six city areas: Central, Eastern, Northern & Leith, Pentlands, Southern and Western.
The Scottish Youth Parliament is a non-party political organisation made up of 150 young people representing every constituency in Scotland. It campaigns to highlight the views of Scotland’s young people on a national and international stage.
Its members meet three times each year at a range of different locations, including in the main chamber at Holyrood’s Scottish Parliament.
Councillor Cathy Fullerton, Vice Convener for Education for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’ve seen from the success of young people voting in the Independence Referendum that there’s a real appetite out there for them to engage in politics.
“The Scottish Youth Parliament offers an ideal chance for young people to be heard on both national and local issues and I would urge everyone eligible to cast their vote next week.
“It’s great that modern technology means our young people can vote online for the first time for their preferred candidate. These elections are a great opportunity to develop young people’s citizenship and debating skills as well as demonstrating democracy in action.
“The council is committed to involving young people fully in the life of our city, so they feel that Edinburgh is a place where they can really make a difference. That’s why we are also actively encouraging them to come up with petitions which can be put to our Petitions Committee for consideration.”
Anyone interested in voting should visit the Young Scot website or contact the CEC Young People’s Participation Team on 0131 529 6502.
The joint Edinburgh Central and Edinburgh Northern and Leith hustings that took place at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall was a fantastic night.
The questions asked from the audience were excellent and covered a huge range of issues. We heard questions raised regarding educational attainment, votes at 16 and homeless children, just to mention a few.
I even had a disagreement with Councillor Cammy Day on a Youth Parliament for Edinburgh Council, which I believe should be something that exists, whereas he doesn’t because he believes it was ‘a waste of time!’
It was a truly great experience to hear from young people on issues that mean something to them and an honour to be able to answer the questions to such an engaged crowd.
Kieran Reape
Candidate for Edinburgh Northern & Leith
Scottish Youth Parliament
Scottish Youth Parliament Elections 2015
The Scottish Youth Parliament holds elections every two years. The next elections to the Scottish Youth Parliament will take place in March 2015.
“The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) represents Scotland’s young people. Our democratically elected members, aged 14-25, listen to and recognise the issues that are most important to young people, ensuring that their voices are heard by decision makers. We encourage all of Scotland’s young people to play their part in achieving our vision and provide a national platform for their participation in democracy.”
The stated aim of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) is to represent and promote the views of Scotland’s young people. In seeking to achieve this, the organisation has adopted a quasi-parliamentary structure, with a standing body of members elected on a regular basis. The organisation seeks to promote the values of democracy, inclusion, political independence and passion.
The work of the SYP is designed to deliver five key objectives:
Your local candidates are:
EDINBURGH CENTRAL
Eilidh Dewar
Hello! My name is Eilidh Dewar and I am a 6th year student at Broughton High School. I have always had a keen interest in politics and what young people want which is exactly why I got involved with the SYP. I feel like I would be an excellent member of the SYP because I am headstrong and I like standing up for what the young people in Edinburgh want. You should vote for me if you’re looking for someone who will stand up for young people and work extremely hard to get the voices of young people heard.
Lucy Duffy
My name is Lucie Duffy and I want to represent you at the SYP. I’m a member of my school’s Amnesty International Youth Group, so I want to help campaign for young people’s basic human rights, as well as other issues such as better Sex Education in schools and votes for 16 and 17 year olds. I think I could make a difference as an MSYP because I would listen to the views of other young people in my area and I believe that every single young person deserves the right to have a voice in Scotland.
Shorter version: I’m Lucie, and I want to represent you at the SYP because I think that young people deserve the right to have a voice in Scotland.
Wing-Yan Ng
I hope you will consider me as a candidate for Edinburgh Central, last year I successfully fulfilled one of my promises with promoting the living wage up to £7.85, please allow me again to work towards my manifesto and fulfil my promises to you. Giving young people fair representation is crucial to me and I want to protect your interests and I believe I can make a difference by representing your interests in the Scottish Youth Parliament. Voicing your opinion is important and I hope that you can lay your trust in me and support me. I would like to serve you in Edinburgh Central.
EDINBURGH NORTHERN AND LEITH
Callum Corea
I want to make young people feel they’re being represented and have a strong voice which is heard. I also want to make MSYP’s more accessible to young people and therefore easier to contact. I’m planning to have consultations with young people on issues affecting them such as youth involvement! I’ll also be campaigning on young carer and other similar issues which affect young adults. I’m aiming to campaign on equal pay for 16 – 20 year olds but also want to raise people’s awareness of young people’s contribution to society. I’m planning to campaign for more funding for youth groups but will be campaigning to set up more youth forums and other ways where young people can get more involved in politics and society. To help make all of this happen I’ll be working away to bridge the gap between decision makers and young people!
Nicolette Ester
Ever thought about being a little more responsibly disruptive?
As the next generation of Scottish leaders, I believe we need to take responsibility and raise our voices to protect the provisions in place to support our personal development. It’s no secret that times are getting harder, so, whether it’s cheaper public transport, a higher minimum-wage or better sports facilities vote for me as your SYP representative and I’ll help you speak out and get a little more responsibly disruptive about the issues that matter to you
Let’s work together to empower the young people of Scotland and fight for a brighter future! If anything else is needed please let me know!
Eilidh Mackay
Hi I’m Eilidh and I want to be your representative for North and Leith in the Scottish Youth Parliament. I am very passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of young people both nationwide and in this community. Being involved in change is something I have already been trying to get involved in, being a part of the Edinburgh Youth Issues forum for over four years, this is another way to continue that. If elected, I plan to find other ways to become involved in my close community, to stay in touch issues that young people have there.
Kieran Reape
I believe it to be crucial for young people from the age 16 and over, to be allowed to vote in the UK general election and European election. We have seen progress with this by allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the Referendum and the upcoming 2016 Scottish general election. This was the outcome of successful lobbying from the Scottish Youth Parliament. I intend to further the recent success by getting the UK government and European Parliament to abide by the same rules. By voting for me in Edinburgh North and Leith you will be adding support to this cause.
Terri Smith
My name is Terri Smith and I am your current MSYP but also hoping to work for you for another 2 years. Over the years I have successfully campaigned on equal marriage, votes at 16, a living wage, supporting young carers whilst currently working on a campaign called POVERTY: see it change it. If re-elected I aim to focus on more support for LGBT young people, equal access to local and national opportunities, better engagement with local youth forums/groups and clubs, campaign for better work experience as well as tackling bullying in schools and also continue to work with NUS Scotland to support college and university students. Being an MSYP is about representing what you want and if you want someone with a proven track record on delivering whilst always ensuring a bit of banter is thrown in then vote for #TeamTerri – follow on twitter @3terrismith
EDINBURGH WESTERN
Owen Cruikshank
There are so many issues effecting Scotland’s young people today but one issue that must be addressed is Inequality. More than 1in5 of Scotland’s young people are classed as being in poverty. This is a shocking statistic but who better to tackle it than us – the young people. I am committed to helping create genuine change in our community and our country.
Although I have achieved a lot in my term, I know that there’s more I can achieve for our community. I can and will represent Edinburgh Western in the best possible way should I be re-elected.
Laura Holloway
Statement to follow
Sarah Outterson
I would like to be part of the Scottish Youth Parliament because I believe it’s really important that young people have a voice and a say in the decisions which affect their lives. I would campaign for disability awareness and hope to get more respect with those with disabilities. I would hope to raise the political awareness of young people as I think it’s increasingly important as we raise voting age that we know as young people the differences between each party.
I also hope to get Feminism in PSE lessons in schools. I think this is a great idea because they would then know what Feminism really is and not what they hear from their friends.
If you want to no more about me and my campaign you can follow me on Twitter at @ S_Outterson or on my blog on someonelikesarah.wordpress.com
For further information visit www.syp.org.uk/elections-2015
The politicians have had their say on the Smith Commission recommendations – the unionists say it’s a vow delivered while the nationalists argue it doesn’t go nearly far enough.
But what do young people think?
Terri Smith MSYP, Vice Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, welcomes the Smith Commission’s recommendation to devolve the voting franchise:
Waking up this morning to the news that the Smith Commission has recommended that the voting franchise should be devolved to Holyrood is particularly pleasing, and it is some of the best political news I’ve heard since the franchise was originally lowered for the referendum.
There is a real commitment in Scotland from politicians and others alike to have 16 and 17-year-olds voting in the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections, and for me, that’s the least our young people deserve. The referendum saw unprecedented levels of political participation from the young people of Scotland.
During the referendum campaign, the Scottish Youth Parliament engaged with over 18,000 young people and registered thousands of first time voters. As a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP), the opportunity to be at the forefront of one the most historic moments in Scottish history was astounding. The process gave me the opportunity to engage with young people right in the heart of their communities.
I’ve spoken with young people from all walks of life. Throughout the referendum process, each and every one of the young people I met with were informed, engaged, and full of passion. Young people have truly been at the heart of shaping history throughout the last year, and the entire world has been watching and waiting to see if the decision to lower the franchise would be a success, and indeed it has been.
I think we can all agree that the referendum provided a platform for mass engagement for everyone in Scotland, but particularly young people. We now need to maintain these levels of engagement, otherwise we are at risk of disenfranchising an entire generation, when in fact, we are aiming to be doing the opposite.
As the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people, the Scottish Youth Parliament has always known that 16 and 17-year-olds are capable of making informed decisions when it comes to voting, and now the rest of the country can see that too.
I am incredibly happy to see that the Smith Commission believes in young people, and is now urging the UK Government to ensure these recommendations are implemented so that Scotland can continue to lead the way in involving young people in political decision making. After all, the young people of Scotland deserve it.
Terri Smith MSYP
Vice-Chair, Scottish Youth Parliament
‘grasp this opportunity to ensure young people are continually at the forefront of shaping our society’ – Louise Cameron, Chair SYP
The Scottish Youth Parliament elections will be held in March next year and the call is now open for young people all over the country to register their interest and stand as candidates to represent young people in their area.
The Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people and campaigns on a wide range of issues, and represents young people all over Scotland. It gives young people a national platform to voice their issues, turn them into positive actions, and influence Scotland’s decision makers.
To register interest to represent a local constituency, young people aged 14-25 should complete a Candidate Expression of Interest Form by Friday 31 October. Further information is available atwww.syp.org.uk/elections.
Louise Cameron, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: “During what is such an exciting time to be involved in the heart of Scottish politics, I am delighted to announce that the call for candidates is now open for the SYP Elections 2015.
“The Scottish Youth Parliament is an entirely youth-led organisation, and Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament represent the views of young people across Scotland and strive to make a real difference by campaigning on the issues that matter the most to young people.
“Being a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament is a truly life changing experience. I would like to encourage young people from all over the country to consider standing as a candidate and to grasp this opportunity to ensure young people are continually at the forefront of shaping our society.”
Current Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) have produced a promotional video to encourage others to get involved in this opportunity to stand as a candidate and potentially become an MSYP.
The SYP Elections promotional video can be viewed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdPFjHPgD6Q&list=UU3lS9jY21U4jVSnhYkAK3kw
Hello YOUNG PEOPLE!
The Scottish Youth Parliament elections are being held in March 2015 where all Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) will be elected from across Scotland openly, democratically, and at the same time between 2 – 11 March 2015.
Do you have the next Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament in your class, school group, community centre or youth clubs? Or could it be you?
All young people between the ages of 14-25 have the right to stand for election and so we’re hoping to capture input from young people willing to speak up and play their part in what’s happening around us!
Standing as a candidate is an opportunity for young people in your school and community to make a difference to their local area (and the country) and to ensure young people’s voices are heard by Scotland’s decision-makers.
If you know of any young person who might be interested in being elected as an Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, the deadline to register an interest in standing for election is 31 October 2014.
If anyone would like to get involved and/ or want to find out more, please contact Mary Mitchell from the Young People’s Participation Team via mary.mitchell@edinburgh.gov.uk or by phoning 529 2131. Or if you’d prefer to an informal chat on “your turf” before you progress anywhere please call me on 332 6316.
More information can also be found on the web at www.syp.org.uk, by tweet @Official SYP, or by visit syp.org.uk or a video promoting being a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament on the same website.
Callum McLeod
Broughton Community Learning & Development team
