Subject Committees

Every Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) can become a member of one of the SYP's 10 Subject Committees, which each take responsibility for a specific area of policy. Each Committee is led by a Convener, who is elected by the Committee, whose job is to co-ordinate the work of the Committee as required and directed by the Conveners Group. They also act as a media spokesperson on issues covered by their Committee and represent the SYP at conferences and events. The Committee also elects a Deputy to assist or stand in for the Convener.

SYP Committees don’t attempt to cover every piece of legislation which is relevant to their area.  Instead they focus on dealing with the major issues affecting young people. They hold meetings at SYP Sittings with a defined time and purpose. All Committees have time to hold one of three types of meetings. These are either:

• Reactive – Dealing with a specific issue brought to the SYP
• Special – Work identified by the Conveners Group which will benefit the SYP; this could include campaign work, organisational discussions, training or other relevant work.
• Consultation – Production of policy statements for the SYP Vote (Note – Individual Subject Committees can’t make policy for the SYP as a whole, but they can come up with a ‘Committee Motion’ for the whole membership to debate/vote on – this is something for future Sittings)

The Conveners Group agree before the Sitting what each Committee will discuss. There is no Subject Committee activity between Sittings unless specifically requested by the Conveners Group. In between Sittings, Committee members communicate by email to discuss of topical issues if necessary. The Conveners Group directs the SYP’s national policy and campaigning work between Sittings.

The 10 Subject Committees are:

• Culture and Media
• Education and Lifelong Learning
• Jobs and Economy
• Equalities
• External Affairs
• Health and Wellbeing
• Justice
• Social Justice
• Sport and Leisure
• Transport, Environment and Rural Affairs

Conveners and Deputy Conveners were  for the above subject committees were elected at our AGM in June 2011.