SYP Weekly Update 145
3rd June 2010
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
- Is your Hat in the Ring?
- myIDEAS – Thank you all!
UK and International
- Survey: young people and the media
- Sometimes ordinary people do extraordinary things
- ACTSA Youth and Student Delegation 2010
Communications
Policy
General
NOTE: Some of the opportunities mentioned in the Weekly Update may apply only to Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs). Please email francesca.l@syp.org.uk for guidance.
Is your Hat in the Ring?
Get a move on if you fancy becoming the next Chair, Vice Chair or a Trustee. The close of nominations for all positions is 9am Monday 7th June.No late applications will be accepted, so make sure you don't miss out if you want to stand!
Five of the six positions on the Board will be elected – Chair, Vice Chair and three Trustees. The fourth Trustee will be elected to represent the Conveners Group at their first meeting.
All ten Subject Committee Conveners will be elected, one for each Committee. There will also be Deputy Conveners elected for each.
If you're an MSYP and you'd like to throw your hat into the ring, click here for everything you need to know about standing and voting.
myIDEAS – Thank you all!
A huge thank you for getting your ideas in to the manifesto! We've had everything from detention of asylum-seeking children to hospital admission policies - it's a really thought-provoking selection and, as usual, we've been impressed by the standard of submission.
The ideas which make up the final manifesto will not only be shown to decision-makers, potentially influencing future policy, but will also guide the work and campaigns of the SYP for the next four years! And as you all probably know by now at the June Sitting, we'll be ready to start on the second phase: The BIG Vote, where you will be whittling the ideas down to a maximum of 50 to go into the ! Get set for serious mental workout!
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Survey: young people and the media
Six young people from across the UK have been selected to represent the UK, at the World Summit on Media for Children and Youth taking place between 14-18 June, in Sweden. The Summit is the largest global event with over 1500 media experts and young people present to debate and produce recommendations to the media on a global scale by taking into consideration issues such as representation, education, economics, law, ethics and responsibilities.
The young people from the UK will make up the UK Youth Media Council and will be working alongside young people from other countries across the world to produce new recommendations for improving the media for children and young people. They have come up with a few recommendations; one is for an International Children and Youth Media Day. They urgently need young people to fill in their survey (2 minutes) to gather the views and opinions of how young people think about the media in the UK.
Click here to take the survey.
Sometimes ordinary people do extraordinary things
They may not wear masks or capes, but every day young heroes across the UK make a difference to the lives of others.
The British Red Cross annual Humanitarian Citizen Awards celebrate the contribution that young individuals and groups make to the lives of others.
You have until 23 July to make your nominations for this year's awards. There are four categories to choose from for both individuals and groups: first aid, volunteering, community action and fundraising.
Check out more by clicking here.
ACTSA Youth and Student Delegation 2010
Action for Southern Africa is organising a delegation for ten UK based youth and student leaders to visit South Africa and Swaziland from Friday 27 August to Thursday 9 September. Successful applicants will spend time in Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa and Manzini and rural areas in Swaziland.
Successful applicants need not necessarily have any previous experience or understanding of southern Africa and the issues effecting the region. However, they should demonstrate a willingness to learn about the region and to commit to working with their peer group and ACTSA after the delegation to raise awareness and action on the key issues they learn about.
Delegates will have an opportunity to meet with their peers and develop lasting and shared relationships. They will also have a chance to experience first hand, the energy and colour of southern Africa but also the poverty and difficulties facing the region.
Applicants must complete and return an application form to ACTSA by Monday 21 June, 9am. Applications received after this time will not be considered. Please note, unfortunately ACTSA cannot accept applications from anybody under the age of 18.
To find out more about the project and hot to get an application pack just click here.
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Watch this space! There are no communications opportunities this week.
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Adopt an MP
Adopt an MP is as simple as it sounds. The UK Youth Climate Coalition aim to get 650 young people from every constituency in the UK to adopt their local MP and track them as they try to make climate change their top priority. With a wave of first time MPs and a new coalition government there is the energy within Parliament for this to work and it’s the perfect time to tell our story and inspire our MPs into action. This is not a traditional campaign with a set outcome and agenda. This is about people and creating a real and lasting relationship that will be different for every person involved.
For more information, go to: http://adoptanmp.ukycc.org/
Survey: Sun Safety
With summer kicking off in the UK (touch wood) people are making the most of it, by getting out and enjoying the suns warming rays on our bodies. But are you protecting yourself from the suns harmful rays? What's your attitude to sun safety?
Skin cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in the UK and cases amongst young people have doubled in the last 20 years. Many people don’t realise it is the damage done to the skin in early years that can lead to skin cancer in later life. Spare two mins and fill in the Teenage Cancer Trust sun safety survey by clicking here.
Or to find out how to protect yourself in the sun this summer check out the NHS FAQ’s.
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