The Scottish Youth Parliament elections will take place in 2017. Registration is now open for young people to register their interest in standing for election. Represent other young people and ensure their voices get heard. Register to stand in the @OfficialSYP elections http://www.syp.org.uk/stand4syp

The Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people.

• Elections are held every two years, in which young people from all across Scotland stand as candidates to become Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs).
• MSYPs range in age from 14 to 25 and represent constituencies in all 32 local authorities throughout the country, and several national voluntary organisations.
• SYP was established on 30 June 1999, making us one day older than the Scottish Parliament.

Our Vision

The Scottish Youth Parliament represents Scotland’s young people.  Our vision for Scotland is of a nation that actively listens to and values the meaningful participation of its children and young people.  Our goal is to make this vision a reality, in order to ensure Scotland is the best place in the world to grow up.

Our Mission

We are a fundamentally rights-based organisation, and our mission, vision, and values are grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).  In particular, our purpose embodies Article 12: “Young people have the right to express their views freely and have their opinions listened to in all matters affecting them”.

As a completely youth-led organisation, the words and sentiment of Article 12 have profound importance for our work.

Our democratically elected members listen to and recognise the issues that are most important to young people, ensuring that their voices are heard by decision-makers.  We exist to provide a national platform for young people to discuss the issues that are important to them, and campaign to effect the change they wish to see.

Our Values

Democracy – We are youth-led and accountable to young people aged 14 to 25.  Our democratic structure, and the scale of our engagement across Scotland gives us a mandate that sets us apart from other organisations.

Rights – We are a fundamentally rights-based organisation. We are passionate about making young people aware of their rights, and ensuring that local and national government deliver policies that allow those rights to be upheld.

Inclusion – We are committed to being truly inclusive and work tirelessly to ensure the voices of every young person from every community and background in Scotland are heard.

Political Impartiality – We are independent from all political parties.  By working with all stakeholders, groups, and individuals who share our values, we can deliver the policies that are most important to young people.