SYP reflects, celebrates and renews

Scotland is growing up…and so is the SYP! Kicking off our tenth anniversary year, we gathered in Edinburgh over the weekend of 13th and 14th June to reflect on where our nation’s future lies. In our SYP-style referendum, MSYPs voted for enhanced powers for the Scottish Parliament within the UK.

We renewed our structure by electing a new generation of young leaders for our organisation with 18 year-old Derek Couper MSYP elected as SYP Chair for the year ahead.

Together with a march through the streets for action on climate change, and a celebration of our birthday it was quite a weekend!

Scotland's Future

A morning of energetic and informed debate by MSYPs, with input from a panel of experts, climaxed with a vote on where Scotland’s future should lie. In response to the question "Do you agree that the devolution settlement needs to be altered, either so the powers of the Scottish Parliament are increased within the United Kingdom or so Scotland becomes an independent state?” an emphatic 68% of members in attendance agreed.

However, in a nail-biting finish, in response to the referendum question "Do you agree that the Scottish Government should negotiate a settlement with the Government of the United Kingdom so that Scotland becomes an independent state?", 57% disagreed, with 43% in favour. Overall, MSYPs were heavily in favour of a substantial increase in the powers of the Scottish Parliament, but not that Scotland should become an independent state at this point in time.

We’ll be publishing a full report of the debate and the result on www.syp.org.uk in the days to come, so watch this space!

Climate Change Action

Scotland’s future is threatened by climate change however, so armed with 150 green umbrellas we took to the street of the capital to march for strong action on this vital global issue. The march was dynamic, bold and passionate and we hope it has a great impact. You can read more about the march at the Edinburgh Evening News website by clicking here (http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Youth-makes-voice-heard-for.5365484.jp)

Please note that this is an external link and SYP is not responsible for the content.

Celebrating and Renewing

It’s almost a decade to the day we first met. In the modern surroundings of Our Dynamic Earth, we celebrated by telling Scotland just some of the stories of young people who’ve been involved with the SYP and Roars not Whispers. We laughed, cried and cheered with speeches from young people, video packages and comedy from Des Clarke.

We also elected a brand new Board for the SYP, with hotly-contested elections from confident candidates. The winners are listed below.

And this is only a snapshot of what happened at a very memorable weekend for everyone involved! Once we’ve had time to catch our breath, we’ll post a full account and loads of photos from the Sitting and AGM later this week, so stay tuned to www.syp.org.uk!

Election Results

Derek Couper MSYP becomes SYP Chair for 2009-10. 18 year-old Derek hails from Livingston in West Lothian and wowed the membership with his “genuine passion to represent young people all over Scotland”.

Scottish Borders native Liam Beattie MSYP, 17, was elected as Vice Chair. Liam will have the opportunity to take his tireless work for young people to the next level this year.

MSYPs entrusted their votes to three dynamic young people taking on the role of Trustee Director. Bubbly 17 year-old Paisley North MSYP Jodie Campbell, enthusiastic Fifer Claire Ewing MSYP, 19, and confident 19 year-old Aamir Riaz MSYP from Glasgow will join Derek and Liam to govern our organisation through the opportunities and challenges of the next 12 months.

With our Being Young is Not a Crime campaign kicking into high gear, and issues by the dozen to raise young peoples’ voices on, our Subject Committees will have plenty on their plate. Facilitating this action will be our ten Subject Committee Conveners and their deputies who were elected at the AGM:

Culture & Media

Convener – Laura Gorman MSYP (Dundee West)

Education & Lifelong Learning

Convener – David Leitch MSYP (Livingston)

Enterprise, Employment & Training

Convener – Chris Burns MSYP (Dunfermline East)

Equalities

Convener – Jamie O’Neill MSYP (Glasgow Anniesland)

External Affairs

Convener – Kris Sinclair MSYP (Paisley South)

Health & Wellbeing

Convener – Daniel Robertson MSYP (Penumbra)

Justice

Convener – Barry Thomson MSYP (Aberdeen North)

Social Justice

Convener – Julie Lennox MSYP (Glasgow Springburn)

Sport & Leisure

Convener – Paddy Histon MSYP (West Renfrewshire)

Transport, Environment & Rural Affairs

Convener – Josh Kane MSYP (Coatbridge & Chryston)