The 81st National Sitting of the Youth Parliament will take place at St Modan's High School on Saturday and Sunday (24 and 25 June), where up to 160 MSYPs aged between 14 and 25 will join together to represent the views of their constituents from across Scotland.
This is the first sitting of the new membership, with members serving until the end of 2025, and Stirling was chosen to coincide with the city's 900th anniversary as a Royal Burgh.
Elected representatives will debate and vote on a wide range of members’ motions, including issues such as LGBTQ+ inclusive education, affordable sporting facilities, improvements to public transport and more.
Mollie McGoran, outgoing Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament said: “MSYPs are excited and looking forward to their first sitting of this new membership taking place in Stirling. Our MSYPs are raring to go, ensuring decision makers listen to young people and make the change they want to see in Scotland.
“We’re grateful to Stirling Council for hosting us this weekend and appreciate all of the work that has gone into the event, especially from the local authority’s youth work team.”
Elected
Other sessions over the course of the weekend will consist of updates on the SYP’s diversity and inclusion work, a panel of guest speakers to discuss the newly selected national campaigns, as well as subject committee meetings and planning for this autumn’s sitting, which will take place in The Scottish Parliament.
The SYP’s Annual General Meeting will also be held in Stirling, where new trustees will be elected.
This weekend will also feature a social event hosted by Stirling Council at the Albert Halls to mark both the 25th anniversary of the SYP, as well as 900 years of Stirling as a Royal Burgh.
The evening will include a DJ set from Capital Scotland Drivetime presenter Katy J and a traditional Scottish ceilidh with music from the Big Noise programme by Sistema, an SYP Associate National Voluntary Organisation.
Celebrations
Local representatives for young people across Stirling, Zac Mickel MSYP and Sophie Kerrigan MSYP said: “We are both so delighted to welcome the SYP to Stirling - we have an exciting and important weekend ahead and we can’t wait to meet our new fellow MSYPs.
“This is a very special year for Stirling, with a fabulous year-long programme of events planned as part of Stirling's 900th anniversary celebrations. It is a chance to show our ambition to usher in a new chapter in Stirling’s story, with young people central in writing the next pages.”
MSYPs recently selected three new national campaigns - increase mental health training and education, invest in and protect youth work services and end gender-based violence. During the consultation process, MSYPs engaged with over 4000 young people to find out their priorities.