22.03.2007
In a first for the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, more than 100 Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) will take their seats in the debating chamber this weekend, as part of a two-day general meeting.
Starting on Saturday 24 March, the sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament will be opened in Holyrood’s main chamber by Presiding Officer George Reid MSP with a formal welcome from the Deputy First Minister, Nicol Stephen MSP.
The session will include a presentation from SYP Chair Rajiv Joshi MSYP outlining the achievements of the SYP over the past four years and their vision for the future. The Presiding Officer will then take questions from the delegates about the Scottish Parliament’s engagement with young people.
Presiding Officer George Reid MSP said:
"This meeting will showcase the hard work and commitment of all the members of the Scottish Youth Parliament and highlight the important role young people play in the democratic process.
"We look forward to hearing their ideas and taking part in some lively and stimulating debate.”
The morning event on Saturday will be web cast live on www.holyrood.tv from 10.15 am to 12 noon. For more information and full programme details go to http://www.scottishyouthparliament.org.uk/MarchSitting.htm
Background
The meeting is one of four held each year by the SYP and aims to bring together MSYPs from across Scotland to debate issues of importance to young people and express their views to a cross-section of MSPs.
The second day of the sitting will be held on Sunday 25 March at East Lothian's Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh.
Launched in Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh in 1999, the SYP is a group of around 150 elected young people aged between 14-25 years. It aims to be a collective national youth voice for all young people in Scotland. For more information see http://www.scottishyouthparliament.org.uk/
If you are interested in attending the event or are keen to explore any other media opportunity such as talking to groups taking part in the event, please contact Sally Coyne in the Scottish Parliament’s Media Relations Office on the number below.