Exhibition encourages young people to play their part in Welsh democracy

Young people have been encouraged to take part in Welsh democracy at the launch of a Senedd exhibition.

The Llywydd and First Minister joined former Welsh Youth Parliament Members to open an exhibition on the work of the first two Welsh Youth

Parliament (WYP) Terms.

The free exhibition is now open to the public until Saturday, the 18th of May.

It also shows how potential candidates can be involved in the work of the next WYP term later this year.

Speaking at the launch event, former

WYP member Cerys Harts said:

“Being a part of the Welsh Youth Parliament has been an experience that I won’t forget.

“I have been so fortunate to work as part of 60 driven and inspirational members to be the voice of young people in Wales.

“The end of our term as WYPMs is also the beginning of an opportunity for so many other young people and the November 2024 elections are an opportunity for new members to continue our work.

“On behalf of all of the previous term’s members I would like to wish all of those who will be campaigning over the next few months the best of luck and I look forward to hearing about your work.”

The Welsh Youth Parliament is a group of 60 young people aged 11 – 18 who are elected to work on issues of their choosing over a two-year term.

Those Members gather views from young people from across the country and represent them in the Senedd, in speeches and debates heard by Members of the Senedd and Welsh Government Ministers.

Inthe first Welsh Youth Parliament term, from 2018 to 2020, Members chose to focus their work on life skills on the school curriculum, littering and plastic waste and emotional and mental health support.

The second term, from 2021-2023, continued working on mental health and wellbeing, alongside new topics: climate and the environment and education and the school curriculum.

The next 60 members will choose their own priority topics once they are elected by their peers in the Autumn.

More information on the exhibition, The Welsh Youth Parliament: Building the Future Together, can be found here: https://senedd. wales/ visit/ exhibitions/ the-welsh-youthparliament- building- thefuture-together/

To read more about getting involved with the work of the Welsh Youth Parliament, visit: https:// youthparliament. senedd.wales/getinvolved/