SYP Weekly Update 99
19th June 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
- SYP reflects, celebrates and renews in Edinburgh - tell us what you thought!
- Events Group - sign up now!
- Procedures Group - sign up now!
Communications
- Do your bit for the environment - become a paperless MSYP!
UK and International
Policy
- Climate Change Rally
- Whirlwind start for Derek!
General
- NHS Teen Life Check
- National Youth Photography Competition
- Healthier Scotland - love life
- NHS W-WEST
- Fairtrade Tea Party
FYI
- Nicole goes to Norway!
- SYP get grilled by Enquire!
- SYP promote Children and Young People's mental well-being
- Happy birthday Haggeye!
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.
SYP reflects, celebrates and renews in Edinburgh - tell us what you thought!
Last weekend, we headed to Edinburgh for the SYP June Sitting and AGM. It was great to put some names to faces and see how enthusistic and talented our MSYPs are!
The SYP's National Sittings are some of the biggest and most high profile things we do, as well as some of the only time where we get most of the membership under one roof. So it's really important that we make them the best and most youth-led experience for MSYPs we possibly can!
To do that we need to know what you think of them - so please give us 5 minutes of your time to take our short survey tell us how the Sitting was for you! MSYPs have been sent a link in the email version of the Weekly Update - please click it and tell us what you thought!
We're still catching our breath after a fantastic weekend, but we've got some info available at www.syp.org.uk/reflectcelebraterenew.htm to relive the weekend. Over the next couple of weeks we'll be filling the website full of photos from the Sitting, stories from the day and a full report on the cracking debate on Scotland's future...so watch this space for that!
Events Group - Sign up now!
Last week at the Sitting, MSYPs heard a bit about the work of our Events Group. If you’re interested, we’re recruiting for 8 MSYPs to join for the year ahead!
The Events Group will ensure that MSYPs are at the heart of planning events and activities. They’ll represent MSYPs, bring ideas forward and make recommendations to the SYP Board.
Eight places are available on the group, on a first-come-first-served
Basis. To join you’ll need to be an elected MSYP, have a commitment to attend meetings and be able to take forward small pieces of work agreed by the group.
The Events Group will be involved in the planning of Sitting agendas and activities, developing a schools programme…and much more!
To join the group, get in touch with Rob Gowans on 0131 313 2488 or rob.g@scottishyouthparliament.org.uk right away!
Procedures Group - Sign up now!
In the same Sitting session, we also told you about the SYP Procedures Group. We’re also recruiting for this group on a first-come-first-served basis, so here’s your chance to get involved!
The Procedures Group will ensure that MSYPs are at the heart of processes and procedures. They’ll also represent MSYPs’ views and make recommendations to the Board.
Like its sister group, to join you’ll need to be an elected MSYP, have a commitment to attend meetings and be able to take forward small pieces of work agreed by the group.
Examples of some things the group will be working on are – the new MSYP Handbook, disciplinary protocols, Investors in Volunteers (IiV) accreditation, the training programme and a review of National Voluntary Organisation membership.
So to join the group, get in touch with Rob Gowans on 0131 313 2488 or rob.g@scottishyouthparliament.org.uk right away!
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Do your bit for the environment - become a paperless MSYP!
Last weekend we marched through the streets of Edinburgh for strong action on Climate Change. If you want to make a contribution to helping the environment, why not become a paperless MSYP?
While the Weekly Update and www.syp.org.uk bring you all the latest from the world of SYP, we do still send out some Sitting info out by post. You still get all the same info by email, so why not help us cut down on how much we print and post by becoming paperless?
What this basically means is that we won't send you stuff by snail mail any more. You won't miss out as we'll email you everything you need to know, and you'll help us help the environment at the same time!
To sign up to be a paperless MSYP, send an email to Rob Gowans at rob.g@scottishyouthparliament.org.uk with the word 'Paperless' in the email. Green and easy!
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Watch this space! There are no UK and International opportunities this week.
Back to List Climate Change Rally
The Scottish Climate Change Bill still has the potential to be world-leading and influence decision-makers. This Wednesday (24th June), Friends of the Earth Scotland are holding a Mass Lobby which you can attend for free. It will be held at outside the Scottish Parliament from 12 to 2.30pm.
If you are interested in going along, you can sign up by clicking here. http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/campaigns/bigaskscotland/masslobby/
If you can't make it along to the mass lobby, why not write to your local MSP about making stronger Climate Change Bill? Friends of the Earth have set up a quick way for you to do this, so click here to have your voice heard! http://scripts.foe-scotland.org.uk/cyberactions/cyberaction_200901_1.php
For more info about the event, get in touch with Miki O'Halloran on 0131 313 2488 or miki.o@scottishyouthparliament.org.uk
Whirlwind start for Derek!
Newly-elected SYP Chair Derek Couper MSYP has had a bit of a busy first week in office! On Tuesday Derek was introduced to First Minister Alex Salmond at a National Conversation event in his hometown of Livingston, before representing the SYP at the Scottish Parliament's Cross-Party Group on Children and Young People on Thursday.
We're pleased to be able to tell you that at the meeting Derek was elected as a Vice-Convener of the Group, which consists of MSPs and those who work with young people. The Cross-Party Group is a very important avenue for us to take young peoples' views directly to the politicians so well done Derek - keep up the good work!
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National Youth Photography Competition
Shoot Nations, the global youth photography competition is now back for 2009, with entries already coming in.
The competition is run by children's development charity Plan International and the photographic organisation Shoot Experience and is now in its fourth year. It is a truly global project with entries from over 100 countries across the world. It is open to anyone aged 11 - 25 from anywhere in the world. It gives young people a voice through the expression, messages and concerns in their entries - to the highest level of global government, the UN. Winning entries will be exhibited at the UN headquarters in New York as part of International Youth Day and at the OXO gallery in London from 22nd September.
The competition is open until Friday 31st July. No photography experience is necessary!
This year's main theme is Growing Up in the 21st Century, with an added focus on our experiences as girls or boys, young men or young women. Plan works to try and bring greater equality between girls and boys and this project allows young people to consider this issue in a personal way through visual expression.
To enter, submit three photographs, pictures or graphic designs that capture the following:
1. Because I am a Girl / Boy
2. What's holding me back?
3. What could I be?
To find out more info or take part, head over to their website by clicking here. http://www.shootnations.org/
Healthier Scotland - LOVE LIFE
Bauer Media (which owns Clyde 1, Forth One, West FM, Tay FM, Northsound 1, MFR and Radio Borders), in partnership with the Scottish Government, are organising a series of events for 13-15 year olds to take place across Scotland over the school summer holidays. They're particularly keen for MSYPs to come along, and are offering free tickets to any of the events!
The club tour is callled LOVE LIFE and the events take place in July - seven party nights exclusively for 13-15 year olds across Scotland from Aberdeen to the Borders. The tour is backed by Healthier Scotland and aims to promote positive lifestyle messages to 13-15 year olds about leading an active, healthy, happy and productive life.
LOVE LIFE will be promoted on all their radio stations over a 3 week period and will also be featuring in local, regional and national press. The events themselves will involve around 500 young people from across each region coming to the relevant LOVE LIFE venue – in most cases a city centre nightclub - to enjoy 3 hours of top tunes, dancing, live PA’s and fun and competitions with some of the local station’s biggest DJ’s.
It’s all good clean fun and is, of course, 100% alcohol-free. They breath test all attendees at the door and anyone found to have drunk any alcohol at all will not be admitted. The group are working closely with police, councils and local groups such as Active Schools and Street Pastors in all areas to ensure that LOVE LIFE will be a safe, trouble-free environment for all young people and that everything goes off without a hitch.
If you're interested in getting hold of a free ticket for any the events, get in touch with Rob Gowans on 0131 313 2488 or rob.g@scottishyouthparliament.org.uk
NHS W-WEST
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde's 'W-WEST' (Why Waste Everything Smoking Tobacco?) project launches at the end of the school term, with the aim of giving young people the information to make choices about smoking.
The group's members (some are smokers and some aren't) realise that there is a vast amount of information about smoking out there, and the NHS want to offer the facts, so that young people can decide what is best for them.
To launch the group W-WEST are inviting young people to 'scratch to win' with free scratchcards. They'll be available from local project co-ordinators and at a series of events throughout the region.
There will also be a W-WEST event in Buchanan Street, Glasgow at 1pm on Saturday June 27.After that, there will be a range of awareness-raising events across each of our Community Health (Care) Partnerships, with the website providing a useful resource for young people - and anyone who wants to find out more about smoking-related issues.
To get a scratchcard, get in touch with Sarah Lindsay on 0141 201 4892 or Lindsay.Sarah@ggc.scot.nhs.uk To find out more about the project, head to http://www.w-west.org.uk/ - and find out if you've won!
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde covers the following local authorities - Glasgow City, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and East Renfrewshire.
Fairtrade Tea Party
On Monday, Edinburgh People and Planet will be holding the ‘People’s Fairtrade Tea Party’, outside the Royal Palace at Holyrood, a week before the Queen's Garden Party.
People and Planet, together with the Scottish Fairtrade Forum have been campaigning to get the Queen to make a public commitment to drink Fairtrade tea, which will help stop farmers in the developing world being exploited. For more about the campaign, and to sign their online petition, click here. http://www.scottishfairtradeforum.org.uk/petition
So, this Monday (22nd) at 5pm, the campigners will be meeting outside Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh across from the Scottish Parliament. There will be a photoshoot, as well as handing out leaflets, getting people to sign the petition, and chilling in the sun drinking tea!
They'd be delighted if young people who are in Edinburgh on the day could join them! They ask that you dress in bright colours and bright hats, bring a mug for your tea and a chair if possible.
For more info, get in touch with Edinburgh P&P at edinbpandp@riseup.net
Nicole goes to Norway!
Shetland MSYP Nicole Mouat recently headed off to beautiful Norway to take part in an International Youth Democracy planning meeting. Nicole met young people from several countries and came up with an idea for a Young European Politics website - 'Say YEP to democracy'.
It wasn't all work as Nicole had a chance to go kayaking and swin in the sea with Norwegians, Greeks and Lithuanians, as well as getting a taste of life in Norway. Even better, the group is planning to meet again and hopes to get the go-ahead from the EU to launch their website!
Well done Nicole - it sounds like you had a fantastic time. Good luck with your exciting project!
SYP Get Grilled by Enquire!
Enquire is an organisation which gives advice and info to young people who are having a hard time at school and need some extra help. They offer young people:
- Info stalls at school fairs, festivals and other events
- Workshops where you get to play games, make art and have your say
- Opportunities to make drama, art and films
- A website with a blog, podcast interviews with young people, games, a directory of local youth clubs and much more
- A range of advice guides and audio-guides which young people have helped us make
A few weeks ago, Enquire spoke to Kris Sinclair (MSYP for Paisley South and SYP External Affairs Convener) about his experience of being involved in SYP, our 10th anniversary and Being Young is Not a Crime. He also shares his views on the education issues which can affect young people, amongst other topics. You can listen to a podcast of Kris’s interview on http://www.enquire.org.uk/youngpeople/wordpress/
Recording this podcast was a great opportunity for SYP to engage with a wide range of young people and to let them know how they can make their voices heard in school and their communities. For more information on the work of Enquire please visit www.enquire.org.uk/yp.
SYP promote Children and Young People’s mental well-being
Young Scotland in Mind is a forum that brings the voluntary sector together to improve mental health and wellbeing of all Children and Young People in Scotland. Yesterday YSIM held a national conference to discuss a new government policy called “Towards a Mentally Flourising Scotland” and were joined by key representatives from the Scottish Government and a range of professionals from across Scotland.
SYP were represented at this event by 18 year old Rachael Cahill, MSYP for Falkirk East, who took part in a panel debate along with Emma Hogg (Head of Health Improvement, Scottish Government), Susan Deacon (Former Health Minister and now Professor of Social Change, Queen Margaret University) and Michael McCreadie (Depute Principal, National Autistic Society).
Rachael expressed SYP’s support for the Government’s commitment to promoting the mental health and well-being of young people but also raised concerns about a need for young people to be involved in the development of policy and services. She also highlighted the issue of policy documents and information being inaccessible to many young people and encouraged the government and other bodies to use more accessible language and formats to engage with a wide range of young people on issues around mental health and well-being.
Happy Birthday Haggeye!
Haggeye is a project that works across Scotland so young people aged 12 to 25 years old can come together to make a difference by successfully campaigning for accessible services, facilities and opportunities, locally and nationally. The young people of Haggeye aim to make a difference for all blind and partially sighted young people across Scotland and promote their inclusion at all levels. Two of their members, Archie McGregor and Gemma McIntosh were recently elected by young people within Haggeye as MSYPs and joined us for their first sitting last weekend!
Tomorrow Haggeye will be holding an event in Perth to celebrate the project’s second birthday. SYP would like to congratulate Haggeye young people and staff on two years of fantastic work and we look forward to working with Gemma, Archie and the rest of the group over the coming weeks and months.
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