The Barnet UK Youth Parliament Elections

2015

What is the UK Youth Parliament?

•Run by young people for young people, UK Youth Parliament is a national forum which provides opportunities for 11-18 year olds to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change

•It is composed of representatives aged 11-18 years old from across England, in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

•Ensures that young people in the UK are given a voice on any issue that affects them, as laid out in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

•Supported by government and opposition parties, the UKYP runs campaigns to improve the lives of young people

• Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) are elected for a one year term of office

• Barnet has 2 MYPs and 2 deputy MYPs

• Each Member is offered a Leadership Development Programme and support to bring to life their campaign

• The programme is free of charge with no expenses covered by members.

• Find out about UKYP at www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk

UK Youth Parliament in BARNET

What does an MYP do?

• MYPs across the UK work to give young people a voice – listening to marginalised groups, organising events, making films, meeting MPs, lobbying for change, organising campaigns and appearing in the media, all to amplify the views of their peers.

• Represent the young people of Barnet at regional and national and sometimes international events - including the House of Commons Debate.

• Work on your very own project that is important to Barnet’s young people. Regional UKYP meetings and scrutiny panels, make films and give presentations and speeches. Engage with Barnet Youth Board representatives

• Work with young people in the borough, attend local festivals and events, engage with and engage with local decision makers on a regular basis

How to get involved• There are two ways to get involved:

• You can stand as a candidate and campaign to win the majority of votes and get elected as an MYP or deputy MYP – email ukyp@barnet.gov.uk or text 07771 995 127 for candidate registration details and candidate information pack. YOU WILL NEED TO PREPARE A MANIFESTO ON YOUR REGISTRATION FORM AND DECIDE WHAT YOU WISH TO CAMPAIGN FOR!

• You can support someone who is standing for election by VOTING!

Dates to remember

• Email UKYP@barnet.gov.uk from NOW to request a candidate information pack or go to:

http://www.barnet.gov.uk/info/940302/uk_youth_parliament/496/uk_youth_parliament or Google “UKYP Barnet” and click on the second return. All the details you need are here.

• 28 January 2015 – information evening for candidates 5.30-8pm at Hendon Town Hall

• 30th January 2015 – final deadline for candidate registration

• 23 February-08 March 2015 (9pm) – VOTING IS LIVE on www.barnetukyp.co.uk

• 12 March 2015 – results announced at an event for candidates and their families, friends and school staff

How to Vote!• All schools and colleges will be sent voter cards with

a unique voter code for each student (more can be requested for more students: one card = one vote)

• Go online between 23rd February and 8th March 2015 to www.barnetukyp.co.uk and input your unique voter code

• Decide which candidate to vote for and cast your vote

• All candidate manifestos will be available to view on www.barnetukyp.co.uk from mid February so you can learn about what candidates have planned for young people in advance.