SYP Weekly Update 101
3rd july 2009
Find out more about what's happening in the SYP in our weekly updates, click on the section title to take you to more information for each of the articles...
List
Events
- MSYP Training Days Update
- The Scottish Youth Debate
Communications
UK and International
Policy
General
- Community Ideas Campaign
- Towards a Sustainable Culture of Peace with Instant Street Theatre
FYI
- MSYPs hit local press
- Who found the treasure?
NOTE: Some of the opportunities mentioned in the Weekly Update may apply only to Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs). Please email rob.g@scottishyouthparliament.org.uk for guidance.
MSYP Training Days Update
Last week we let you know about the MSYP induction days which will be taking place in Glasgow and Perth. The Glasgow training will still take place on Thursday 30th July. However, due to a change of venue, the Perth training will now take place on Friday 7th August.
We are sorry for any inconvenience and hope this is still suitable for you. Please discuss your attendance at either of these training dates with your local support worker and confirm with them by Thursday 16th July at the latest.
The Scottish Youth Debate
We are delighted that SYP has been invited back for another year at the Edinburgh International Book Festival! This summer, the Book Festival will have a strong focus on Scotland’s culture and heritage, inspired by Homecoming and the 10th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament.
On Wednesday 26th August SYP’s very own Aamir Riaz MSYP will chair a debate of high profile panelists on what it means to be Scottish, how Scottish youth culture has changed and if our identity has been affected by devolution. For under 16s and Young Scot card holders wishing to attend individually, tickets are £7.00. Those coming in groups of 6 or more will be able to purchase tickets at £2.50 per head so it is worth speaking with other MSYPs or young people to encourage them to go along!
We also have a limited number of complementary tickets reserved for MSYPs on a first come first served basis – to take advantage of this offer or for any further information on the event and how to book please get in touch with Marie Macfarlane on 0131 313 2488 or marie.m@scottishyouthparliament.org.uk
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Watch this space! there are no communications opportunities this week.
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Global Changemakers
Save the dates of November 22-28 for the British Council's 4th Annual Global Youth Summit of the Global Changemakers! As many of you may already know, Global Changemakers is a global and growing network currently consisting of 375 young social entrepreneurs and community activists from 91 countries around the world who have demonstrated a significant track record of achievement in their local communities.
The mission of the programme is to empower youth worldwide to work together to catalyse positive social change and is built on 3 pillars - action on the ground (Community Action Projects), personal knowledge & growth (the sharing of best practices + exposure to and interaction with experienced activists), and giving youth a voice (at key global events such as the Global Humanitarian Forum, World Economic Forum & Clinton Global Initiative). For more information, please see www.global-changemakers.net and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3QJblpE-WU
The objective of the Summit will be to initiate 60 new Global Changemakers into the community, build their knowledge of key global issues, build their skills in project management, fundraising, media, research and monitoring and evaluation, and launch community action projects. As the event is held in the UK each year, it is also a significant opportunity to expose youth from around the world to UK organizations and the UK's business, government, thought and civil society leaders in addition to fostering intercultural dialogue.
The British Council will be launching an open online application process on www.global-changemakers.net on 1st August . If you fit the application criteria below, access the website and make an application.
Finally, from the group of 60 selected, six participants will be chosen to attend the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland January 27-31 to represent the group and to raise decision-makers' awareness of key issues on the global agenda.
To be selected for the 4th Annual Global Youth Summit, individuals should:
- Be committed to bringing about positive change in their communities
- Have a significant track record of community activism, social entrepreneurship, or volunteer work
- Be between 16 and 19 years old in November 2009
- Have a reasonably good command of English (the event will be held in English so participants will need to be able to fluidly communicate with each other)
- Be free to attend the Global Youth Summit in the UK November 22-28 2009 as well as the WEF Annual Meeting in Switzerland from 27-31 January 2010, if selected
Costs for participating are covered by the organisers.
Back to List Watch this space! There are no policy opportunities this week.
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Community Ideas Campaign
The Community Ideas Campaign has been launched by Employers in Voluntary Housing to help Scotland and all its Communities both respond to and recover from the current economic difficulties. The campaign is based on the Irish Ideas Campaign where 5000 ideas were generated in one month to help regenerate the Irish economy.
EVH wants to seek people's ideas, drawing from their own experiences to identify how Scotland can not just emerge from this recession, but, reach out to all our communities to play their part and help Scotland compete on the world stage again.
Launched on 4 June 2009, the initial phase of the campaign is seeking people's ideas to preserve and grow employment, stimulate activity across the community, make it easier for ordinary people to make a difference, kick start our construction industry to provide sustainable homes.
The campaign's motto is simple; no whinging! Therefore, the campaign will only consider ideas that are positive and think about solutions, not the problems!
But this is just the beginning of this independent citizens’ campaign. In September, with the help of their advisory group we will be producing an action plan – and it won’t only be for government. It will be for individuals, communities, business and other organisations.
To get involved, head on over to http://communityideascampaign.socialgo.com/
Towards a Sustainable Culture of Peace with Instant Street Theatre
The Elements World Theatre is an organisation committed to making a culture of peace sustanainable. They are looking actors, dancers, musicians, meditators, peacemakers and other young people (aged 18 and over) who want to help achieve this...through Instant Street Theatre!
They're offering workshops to enable participants to devise short scenes resolving simple conflict situations in the moment - without using force, threat or abuse. For example, a couple in Starbucks start quarreling. When they have most people's attention, one of them stops in the midst of the conflict and connects to inner stillness. The other continues the argument until s/he too becomes silent and opens her heart to the other in whatever way is appropriate. The couple would have a pre-printed leaflet for any patrons wishing to know what we're about. No previous experience is necessary.
They're also offering the opporunity to take part in Instant Street Theatre to present these scenes at different times and places throughout the year, including the 2009 Edinburgh Festival, the 2010 Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace and many more!
You can take part as a workshop participant, an actor/presenter, a witness/supporter of the actors, facilitator of scene development, a promoter/administrator - publicising the work, informing witnesses, finding venues, etc...or any other role you'd like to play!
If you're interested in getting involved, get in touch with Lee Gershuny on 0131 332 1418 or lee@the-elements.org.uk
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MSYPs hit local press
MSYPs have been up to some great work, and it hasn't gone unnoticed by their local press. New RNIB MSYP Gemma McIntosh was featured in the Highland News last week, speaking about her inspiring story which saw her recognised along with other MSYPs in the Scottish Parliament's 'Moving Stories' exhibition.
Three MSYPs from Dumfries and Galloway joined us at our National Sitting in Edinburgh, ahead of their elections in November. The Dumfries Standard told the area all about the great work we got up to!
Well done folks, its great to read about young people taking action! You can read about Gemma's story online by clicking here (http://www.highland-news.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/5806/Disabled_teen), or the story from the Dumfries Standard by clicking here (http://www.dgstandard.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/2009/07/01/youths-celebrate-parliament-s-party-51311-24026105/).
Please note that both the links above are to external websites over which the SYP has no control.
Who won the treasure?
Last week as a bit of fun to celebrate Weekly Update 100 and set you all a wee Treasure Hunt to while away those lazy summer days! We had a number of good entries, and we can reveal that we have a winner!
But first, let’s have a look at the questions and answers – which ones stumped you?
- On what date did SYP Weekly Update 1 go out..?
Weekly Update 1 hit MSYPs inboxes on 4th May 2007 - ...and what was the very first article about?
It was about the SCDA ‘Theatre Maker’ Summer Camp - The Weekly Update has six categories - Events, Communications, UK and International, Policy, General and FYI. Two have them have changed their names since the Weekly Update was launched, but which ones, and what were they originally called?
Communications was ‘Media’, UK and International was originally called ‘International’ - The Weekly Update doen't go out over the festive period, as there's no-one around to send it. But on which other weeks is the Weekly Update not sent out?
On the Fridays before a Sitting – we are either really busy or in a van heading to the venue – plus we’ll be seeing you all over the weekend anyway! - What was the hidden message in the email version of Weekly Update 95?
The message was in the last section of the email, as a wee test to see if anyone read it. The message was to send Rob an email with ‘Eagle Eyes’ as the subject. Incidentally, Dundee support worker Shane Mochrie-Cox was the most eagle-eyed reader and was first to respond!
Tie-breakers
- What is the MOST articles there has ever been in a single Weekly Update..?
A hefty 25 articles, in Weekly Update 54. - ...and what is the LEAST?
Just 3 articles in Weekly Update 4. Oh how, our old friend has grown! - Finally, as of Weekly Update 100, how many individual email addresses does the Weekly Update go out to?
Last week’s edition went out to exactly 478 individual email addresses – MSYPs SYPmail and personal addresses, support workers, staff and a few interested young people. While we’re on the subject, we’ve cut the list back to remove some now-former MSYPs from the list. If you’re in this boat, but still want your fix of Weekly Update goodness, get in touch with Rob Gowans on 0131 313 2488 or rob.g@scottishyouthparliament.org.uk
And without further ado we can reveal that with most correct answers, the winning treasure hunter is Edinburgh South MSYP and one of the people instrumental in setting up the Weekly Update, Miss Connie Bennett! Well done Connie, your prize will be with you very soon! Special commendations go to Aamir Riaz MSYP who had the closest guesses on the tie-breaker questions.
We also celebrated the SYP’s 10th birthday on Tuesday with a lovely big cake courtesy of our MSYPs in Fife. Thanks guys, it was a lovely gesture which we enjoyed eating very much!
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