Youth Parliament gather for first event at Stirling school

Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs), the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people, met in Stirling at the weekend for their first event since being elected earlier this year.

The 81st National Sitting of the Youth Parliament took place at St Modan’s High School, where up to 160 MSYPs aged between 14 and 25 joined to represent the views of their constituents from across Scotland.

It was the first sitting of the new membership, which members will serve in until the end of 2025.

Elected representatives debated and voted on a wide range of Members’ Motions including on issues such as LGBTQ+ inclusive education, affordable sporting facilities, improvements to public transport and more.

Mollie McGoran, outgoing chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament said: “We’re grateful to Stirling Council for hosting us this weekend and appreciate all of the work that has went into the event, especially from the local authority’s youth work team.”

Other sessions over the course of the weekend included updates on SYP’s diversity and inclusion work, a panel of guest speakers to discuss the newly selected National Campaigns, Subject Committee meetings and planning for this autumn’s sitting, which is to take place in The Scottish Parliament.

The weekend also featured a social event hosted by Stirling Council at the Albert Halls to mark both the 25th anniversary of SYP as well as 900 years of The Royal Burgh of Stirling.

The evening included a DJ set from Capital Scotland drivetime presenter Katy J and a traditional Scottish ceilidh with music from SYP Associate National Voluntary Organisation Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise programme.

Local representatives for young people across Stirling, Zac Mickel MSYP and Sophie Kerrigan MSYP said: “We are both so delighted to welcome SYP to Stirling and to meet our new fellow MSYPs.

“2024 is a very special year for Stirling with an exciting year-long programme of events planned as part of Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations. It is a chance to show our ambition to usher in a new chapter in Stirling’s story, with young people central in writing the next pages.”

MSYPs recently selected three new national campaigns - increase mental health training and education, invest in and protect youth work services and end gender-based violence. During the consultation process, MSYPs engaged with over 4000 young people to find out their priorities.