Suffolk UK Youth Parliament

What is Youth Parliament?

UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) is run by young people for young people. There are hundreds of MYPs (Members of Youth Parliament) & DMYPs (Deputy Members of Youth Parliament) across the UK that represent the views of young people in their local communities.

By acting together, UKYP gives young people a powerful voice that is heard by decision makers in local and national government and helps young people to use their energy and passion to change the world for the better.

Why is UKYP important?

- To find out the views of young people and present their views, opinions and issues to stakeholders and decision makers.

- To have a collective voice for young people to address issues in their own communities

Prepare a ‘manifesto’, other young people will look at this during elections and vote for you based on this

Your manifesto will outline the issues you feel are important locally and nationally. You will work on these issues during your term of office

Attend local and regional meetings Promote the positive work of UKYP

and BYC Consult with as many young people

as possible in their area

What do MYPs & DMYPs do?

Represent Suffolk UKYP in the House of Commons, UKYP Annual Sitting and at British Youth Council Conventions

Work on national campaigns: Votes at 16 Curriculum for Life

Work on local campaigns: Euthanasia Mental Health Education Combat Youth Unemployment, Curriculum for Life Combat Youth Unemployment Zero Tolerance to Bullying

Every year UKYP undertake the largest youth consultation ever in this county. It is called ‘Make your Mark’.

Last year (2013) Suffolk UKYP collected over 3’800 ballot papers from young people in Suffolk. These top 5 issues from Suffolk have become our local priorities.

The top 2 issues debated and voted for in the House of Commons have become the national campaigns

Why those issues?

Consultation over public transport issues in Suffolk which has lead to the introduction of Suffolk’s Endeavour Card- which offers at least 25% off bus fares in Suffolk

Consultation with the RSA regarding education in Suffolk

What have UKYP achieved locally

Helping to shape and create Suffolk’s first ever county-wide Youth Forum (SAY- Suffolk Assembly of Youth)

Gained the views and opinions of over 6000 young people in Suffolk on issues that matter to them

Consultation regarding education in Suffolk, especially PSHE education

Getting young peoples voices heard! You do this by going out and

speaking to as many young people as possible.

You could visit youth groups, run debates at your school, visit clubs and organisations, run surveys and events and use social media to engage young people and get their opinions

What is the most important aspect of the role

Lobbied MPs and peers (Lords) to vote in favour for the Equal Marriage Bill

Lobbied MPs to support ‘A Curriculum for Life’ and adapt the way PSHE is taught and delivered in schools

Mass lobby of Parliament in February to raise awareness of Votes at 16

What have UKYP achieved nationally?

Curriculum for Life National Campaign- Progress 52,000 pupils now being taught in schools and colleges

that have pledged to teach them a “Curriculum for Life” 18,423 young people signed petitions across the

Country helping to demonstrate the public support for this campaign.

7 Local Authorities have signed the pledge calling for their schools to teach a “Curriculum for Life”

National Campaign 2- Votes at 16! What do we want to see?

16 and 17 year olds being allowed to vote in all public elections and referendums in the UK.

We believe in Votes at 16 because: Being able to participate in free elections is a fundamental

human right.

16 and 17 year olds are knowledgeable and passionate about the world in which they live and are as capable of engaging in the democratic system as any other citizen.

Lowering the voting age to 16, combined with strong citizenship education, would empower young people to better engage in society and influence decisions that will define their future.

People who can consent to medical treatment, work full-time, pay taxes, get married or enter a civil partnership and join the armed forces should also have the right to vote.

Why Votes at 16?

You don’t have to be an MYP or DMYP to get involved!

Any questions?