Scotland: the first country in the world to dedicate a full year to celebrating young people.

To inspire Scotland through its young people, celebrating their achievements, valuing their contribution to communities and creating new opportunities for them to shine locally, nationally and globally’.

If you want to know what the future looks like, look around you, because young people are the future.

The quality of that future will depend on the quality of those young people, how healthy they are both physically and mentally; the experiences they have as they grown into adulthood based on the opportunities they have right now in education, culture, sport and the workplace and their inclusion in society as a whole.

That is why the Year of Young People 2018 is so important. It celebrates young people and their achievements and offers a wide range of events to help open their eyes to many new experiences.

As the Year of Young People continues to unfold, keep up to date with all that is happening here in the West Highlands and islands through the pages of our newspapers.

‘This is an opportunity to shine a light on the fantastic contribution young people make to life in Scotland.

‘The Year of Young People will give young people a new platform and new opportunities for their voices to be heard in all parts of our society and hopefully help to foster a better understanding, co-operation and respect between generations.

‘The talents of our young people span the length and breadth of the country – evident in the great programme they have helped to put together. I want to thank all of the partners involved in supporting this initiative, who have helped to put together what I am sure will be a wonderful celebration of young people in 2018.’ Pictured: Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon at the launch of the Year of Young People 2018 with pupils from Caol

The aims of the Year of Young People 2018 – encouraging young people to become leaders within their communities and beyond, and supporting them to benefit from new opportunities, are key to our values and our collaboration with Young Scot and the Scottish Youth Parliament. We are delighted to support YOYP2018 and look forward to the coming year.’ Jackie Brock, chief executive, Children in Scotland.

‘We have so much to be proud of in Argyll and Bute and our young people are a huge part of that. Our young people matter - what they do makes a difference to life in Argyll and Bute. They have a key role to play in making Argyll and Bute a really great place to live, learn, work and visit.’ Councillor Aileen Morton Leader of Argyll and Bute Council.

‘As we celebrate the Year of Young People this year, I encourage all to participate in this extremely worthwhile initiative. I am sure that there will be lots of events that we can get involved in and that working with Young People will ensure a renewed sense of vim and vigour!’ Councillor Andrew Baxter who chairs the Lochaber Committee, Highland Council.