SYP Weekly Update 152
29th July 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
- October Sitting in the Scottish Parliament – dates confirmed
- What should MSYPs debate in the Scottish Parliament?
- SYP at The Big Tent Festival
- Scottish delegation say elveda (goodbye) as they depart for Turkey!
- Volunteer Opportunities at The Edinburgh Mela Festival 2010
UK and International
Communications
- 'Picture the Change' Idea of the Week
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.
October Sitting in the Scottish Parliament – dates confirmed
Yes, the rumours are true, the next SYP Sitting will be held in the Scottish Parliament itself! It promises to be two exciting days right at the heart of Scottish democracy, with some one-off opportunities to work hand-in-hand with MSPs during the course of the Sitting.
Due to working closely with the Parliamentary timescale for these opportunities, the Sitting will be held on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th October, rather than across the weekend. With that in mind, we want to make it as easy as possible for all MSYPs to take part, so if you need a letter to help you get the day off school, college or work to attend, please get in touch with Kate Bouchier-Hayes on 0131 313 2488 or kate.b@syp.org.uk.
Full details of how to get there, suggestions for where to stay together with all the info you’ll need about what’ll be happening and what you’ll need to know will follow closer to the Sitting. In the meantime, get it on your calendar and start looking forward to it – only 91 days to go!
What should MSYPs debate in the Scottish Parliament?
With the SYP Sitting in the Scottish Parliament in October, we want to make sure the debates we have are absolute belters at the beating heart of Scotland’s democracy! We want to hear all your suggestions for what could be debated on the day – what should MSYPs debate in the Scottish Parliament?
Send any ideas you have to Rob Gowans at rob.g@syp.org.uk no later than Monday 9th August. The Conveners Group will meet later that week to decide which topics will be debated on the day.
They’ll be looking for ideas that will make for a really special debate, so here’s some handy tips for coming up with something that will make everyone sit up and take notice…
• It’s topical – something that’s recently been in the news will work really well!
• It’ll make for a good debate – an issue which is a bit controversial and tends to split people’s opinions when you speak to them would be ideal.
• The Picture the Change statements (or something that could have been one of them) won’t be chosen – by that time we’ll have consulted thousands of young people about that particular issue.
• An idea that’s relevant to most young people is good for high impact
• There should be a point to the SYP debating the issue – something that would add something to young people’s lives
Get your thinking caps on – here’s to some cracking debates!
SYP at The Big Tent Festival
Last weekend SYP joined the Scottish festival circuit at Fife’s, Big Tent Festival with MSYPs Claire Ewing, Chris Burns, Ryan Smart, Angus Duncan and Joanne Hodge. With the installation in tow MSYPs worked tirelessly to consult with over 300 festival goers over the weekend.
To see them in action check out our Flickr page!
What’s next?
We’re getting ready for another action packed weekend of consulting at Stirling’s mFEST, with headliners Tinchy Stryder and Calvin Harris! If you’re going don’t forget to drop by and say hello, or if you fancy going just click here to buy tickets, or enter their competition to win some!
Scottish delegation say elveda (goodbye) as they depart for Turkey!
This weekend 10 young people from all across the country will head off to Istanbul, Turkey to represent Scotland at the 5th World Youth Congress. The group of delegates will join nearly 1000 other young people from all over the World, at what has become recognised as the leading international platform focusing on youth led sustainable development.
The 2 week event has a dynamic programme combining inspiring speakers, skills development workshops, intercultural performances, roundtable discussions and debates on a range of topics such as poverty, climate change, peace, democracy and human rights. The Congress is far from just a talking shop and all of the delegates will spend 4 days out in communities, projects and organisations all across Turkey making a real difference all across the host nation.
The event was first held in Hawaii in 1999 and has also been hosted by Morrocco in 2002 Scotland hosted the 3rd World Youth Congress in 2005 which saw over 600 young activists and leaders come to the 2 week event.
Scottish Delegate and Highland Youth Convenor, Magnus Monahan (18) from Ardgay in Sutherland, said: “I’m really excited about getting involved in this amazing opportunity. The programme looks excellent but most of all I’m looking forward to meeting the other young people from across the globe.”
Scotland’s delegation is being supported by the Scottish Government and Scottish Youth Parliament and as a previous host nation Scotland, the group has been asked to deliver a presentation at the opening ceremony and to run a workshop as well as represent Scotland a series of events and meetings throughout their stay.
Volunteer Opportunities at The Edinburgh Mela Festival 2010
Mela are looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to come along and be involved in the Mela weekend Sat 7th and Sun 8th August at Leith Links in Edinburgh as stewards, front of house, at the information point and generally helping out in the festival.
Just drop me an email or give me a ring to let me know you’re interested and free over the weekend. You’d also have to be able to come along to one of our training sessions: Tues 3rd Aug 12 – 2pm or Wed 4th Aug 5.30pm – 8pm.
If you’re looking for a great, fun way to spend a weekend and gain some experience volunteering at a festival, then this is the opportunity for you.
They can provide a ticket to the world premiere of CARGO on Fri 6th August, travel expenses, food and refreshments, a ticket to the Mela wrap party, a volunteer thank you event and a reference. Please contact Karen Veitch on 0131 332 2888 or email volunteer@edinburgh-mela.co.uk for more details.
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People making Waves
Looking for a volunteering opportunity to develop you volunteering experience? Want to meet new people? Or just fancy doing a new challenge? The Wave of Friendship is a volunteer exchange programme that encourages and supports the exchange of volunteers between Scotland and London connecting people to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. You can apply for bursaries of up to £500 to cover travel, accommodation and other costs involved in the exchange.
All volunteers need to do is choose any opportunity that takes place between now and September 2012 that demonstrates one or more of these values; Friendship, Respect, Courage, Determination, Equality and Inspiration.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of volunteering in another part of the country and to share your volunteering experiences with others. You could learn new skills, enhance existing skills and help to build new relationships and connections between Scotland and London.
If you would like more information about this scheme just email: wof@peoplemakingwaves.org.uk where they can explain a little more, or check out their website www.peoplemakingwaves.org.uk/.
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Picture the Change Idea of the Week
Spread the word via your networks! We’re already one third of the way through our manifesto consultation phase and we need your to help spread the word. So do us a favour and share these status updates on your networks. It's simple as. Just copy and paste it into your Facebook, Twitter, or Bebo status updates, and Bob's your uncle!
Facebook/Bebo status update
(Your name)...thinks that everyone should have their say about the Scotland we live in. Take part in Picture the Change and you’ll improve the lives of people all over Scotland, and be in with the chance to win a years supply of *Schuh shoes! Join in at www.picturethechange.org
Twitter update
Please RT: Got something to say about the Scotland we live in? SYP need your views! Speak up at www.picturethechange.org #yp #syp
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Consent Forms Update
As part of an ongoing update of all the SYP’s procedures we require ALL MSYPs to complete an updated Consent and Waiver form. You can find it on the website by clicking here, or speak to your Support Worker who has it via e-mail.
If you are 16 years or over you can complete the form and send it back to us via e-mail (just type your name on the signature line). Please send them back to Neil at neil.b@syp.org.uk before 7th August 2010.
If you are under the age of 16 you will require a parent/guardian signature and will therefore need to post it back to us. If you can send it to:
Neil Burn at Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5EZ
Please note that you are unable to attend any SYP run events without a completed consent form (e.g. Sittings, meetings etc) so please make sure that you complete them and return them asap.
If you have any questions please get in touch.
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