Parliament visit was enjoyed by youngsters
Young people from the gypsy/ traveller community were at the Scottish Parliament last week as part of their link with a Stirlingbased charity.
A local course for the young people aged 11-16 not attending high school, to support them and give them the skills and qualifications to help them throughout their life, was given a boost last week when Alexander Stewart MSP invited them and their parents/ grandparents to Holyrood.
The course named ‘Deekin to Jan’ – run by the Stirling-based charity, Article 12 in Scotland in equal partnership with TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) in Scotland – works to build capacity and social capital through access to formal and non-formal learning, as well as development opportunities that amplify the voice of those young people who are less likely to be heard.
This term, their theme is ‘Citizenship’ and as part of that concept – led by Article 12 in Scotland’s learning and development worker Laura Flannagan – the group of young people along with some of their parents and grandparents visited parliament.
The visit was part of their work on understanding the political system and how parliament plays its part not only in legislation, but by bringing many people and groups together for the common good.
Mid-scotland and Fife MSP, Mr Stewart, who is also Shadow Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work, arranged an official tour for the group, then held a question and answer session before they went for lunch in the same cafeteria/restaurant used by MSPS and Parliament staff.
One of the young people said the visit had made them more determined than ever to go into politics and to represent and speak out for everyone in their community who feels they do not have a voice.
One parent said she had never thought it possible to have been able to visit somewhere like the Scottish Parliament and was delighted to have had this opportunity.
Mr Stewart said: “I was extremely keen to invite the group and their parents along to Parliament, to do all I can to help them learn a bit more about our country’s governance and the political procedures.
“We also arranged a tour of the Parliament – with my grateful thanks to Holyrood’s Visitor Services Team – plus I was equally delighted to speak with all our guests and to answer the really excellent questions they had prepared for me as part of their project, such as how policy is made and what a typical day in the life of an MSP consists of.
“It was a great pleasure to meet everyone on the day. I was inspired by the knowledge, understanding and drive of the fantastic youngsters. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn was so refreshing, and I look forward to working with Laura as well as everyone on the course as we go forward through the year.”
Laura Flannagan said: “Such a fun and inspiring day. The young people, as always, really impressed me with their passion and participation.
“I’m so grateful to be part of this amazing project.
“A big thank you to Alexander Stewart MSP and his fantastic team for hosting us. We had a wonderful day filled with thought-provoking questions followed by an amazing lunch.”