The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) was established in 1999. It was set up to give young people aged 14-25 the opportunity to come together to discuss and debate issues affecting young people across Scotland.

Background

The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) was established in 1999. It was set up to give young people aged 14-25 the opportunity to come together to discuss and debate issues affecting young people across Scotland.

The SYP currently has around 150 elected members, made up of young people from across Scotland. The SYP aims to be a national, collective voice for young people in Scotland.

For more information on the SYP go to the Scottish Youth Parliament website.

The co-ordination for Dumfries & Galloway Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) and support of the local MSYP's will now be supported by CLD Nithsdale team, Mark Molloy, Senior Community Development Worker, Kelly Ross, Community Learning & Development Assistant, Alison Telfer, Community Learning & Development Worker and Debbie McDowell, Community Learning & Development Project Officer.

Present MSYP's Ailie Bryson, Adam Wilson and Caitlin McDowell will be in place until March 2013 when the next Elections for MSYP's posts will be held.

Young people across Dumfries & Galloway were encouraged to nominate themselves as candidates for the MSYP roles during an SYP Engagement Programme delivered in school/colleges and youth groups by CLD staff.

There are 26 candidates currently standing in Dumfries & Galloway

2 in Galloway & North West Dumfries
24 in Dumfriesshire constituency
Each constituency has 2 positions.

No Election will be required in Galloway & North West Dumfries as there is only 2 candidates- They will automatically be elected to the positions at the results night in March.

There will be a full online election in Dumfriesshire with 2 people elected out of the 24 candidates.

Each candidate has to attend mandatory training run by CLD staff before they get confirmed on the ballot (this is agreed nationally). If young people don't complete this they cannot stand so there is a possibility the number of candidates may reduce.

Additionally we are offering further training around campaigning to support the young people standing.

Campaign Month: During February which is designated campaign month, every secondary school, College and town centre in Annandale & Eskdale and Nithsdale will be visited by the My-Pod (mobile youth centre) vehicle which is being turned into a campaign vehicle. It will visit the schools and colleges to raise awareness about the election and the candidates. All the candidates can attend these sessions to promote themselves.

We are also working with communications unit to ensure there is a high profile media campaign running throughout February to increase the profile and awareness of the elections.

Elections We are working with all secondary schools and colleges to have online ballot box within schools. Youth Workers will go into the schools to facilitate this. Young people can also vote at home or in youth centres using the website that will be on the promotional material.

Young people vote using their Young Scot card number which ensures that no-one can vote twice.

Election Night The results night will be held in Oasis Youth Centre on Friday 15th March at 4.30pm. All the councils SMT and Elected Members have been invited. All the areas MSPs/MPs have also been invited (in line with SYP guidance). All candidates can attend this with their friends and family. It is anticipated this will be a short 30 minute event.

Rock The Vote Event

The SYP and Electoral Commission are encouraging Local Authorities to hold a "Rock the Vote" music event after the election results. This is to encourage young people who wouldn't traditionally vote to be aware of the importance of voting and to raise the profile of local government elections and Scottish Parliament elections.

We are proposing to have either 1 or 2 events in the region (1 East/1 West) which will either be a band night or disco with appropriate information and awareness stalls at the event to raise awareness. It is anticipated that the events will be small scale with a 100/150 young people maximum. The planning is still at an early stage and more details will be available soon.

D&G's Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament

Ailie Bryson is a member of the SYP for the Dumfries Constituency

Age: 17
Town: Thornhill
School: Max High
Email: ailie.bryson.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

Adam Wilson is a member of the SYP for the Dumfries Constituency

Age: 16
Town: Lochmaben
School: Lockerbie Academy
Email: adam.wilson.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

Caitlin McDowell is a member of the SYP for the Galloway and Dumfries West Constituency

Age: 16
Town: Glenluce
School: Stranraer Academy
Email: caitlin.mcdowell.msyp@sypmail.org.uk