New members of the SYP are elected
The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) has welcomed new members for the Highlands and Argyll and Bute following the outcome of recent elections.
Representatives are elected every two years and become the voice of Scotland’s young people.
MSYPs range in age from 14 to 25 and represent constituencies in all 32 local authorities throughout the country.
The new MSYPs for the three constituency areas in Highland are:
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch: Rory Young, from Lochaber High School. A by-election will take place soon for the other vacancy in this area.
Inverness and Nairn: Hamish Nott, studying at University of Highlands from Nethy Bridge and Ziva Kinsman from Inverness Millburn.
Caithness Sutherland and Ross: Jamie Dickson from Alness and Megan Travers from Wick.
Argyll and
Bute:
Sophie
Bennie-Twist, based in Helensburgh, Alasdair Robert Paisley in Kintyre and Mariska Silkowski from Rothesay on Bute.
The youth parliament was establishted on June 30, 1999, making it older than the Scottish Parliament.
Its mission is to provide a national platform for young people to discuss the matters that are crucial to them and campaign for changes to the nation that they live in.
High Life Highland’s senior youth development officer Audrey Anthoney said: “The new members will now be participating in Scottish Youth Parliament campaigns and contributing at the SYP sittings which take place three times throughout the year.
“They will also collaborate with their local youth forums, groups, the Highland Youth Parliament and Highland Youth Convener, to ensure that the perspective and views of young people across the Highland area are voiced and represented on a national scale.” Meanwhile, young people of the Highlands are being invited to put themselves forward as the recruitment search begins for the unique, representative role of Highlands’ next Youth Convener.
Created in 2007 by The Highland Council, the 12-month full-time position of Highland Youth Convener continues to be instrumental in championing the causes of young people across the Highlands.
The Youth Convener will attend The Highland Council’s Education Committee.
They will also work with High Life Highland’s Youth Services
Team in shaping the work of the Highland Youth Parliament, as well as contributing to other initiatives that increase youth involvement, and influencing decisions which may impact young people.
Outgoing Youth Convener Orla MacLeod explained: “This important role serves as an essential sounding board for youth issues in the Highlands, but with the added benefit of having a direct line with policymakers and decision-makers throughout the region.
“Young people involved in the Highland Youth Parliament have highlighted their priority issues, including access to services and transport, social pressures, mental health concerns and LGBT+ issues.
“The new Youth Convener will be the voice for young people, and engage with individuals, groups, organisations, and decision-makers to ensure the thoughts and opinions of young people are represented – from all corners of the Highlands.”