About the UK Youth Parliament
The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) enables young people to use their energy and passion to change the world for the better. Run by young people for young people, UKYP provides opportunities for 11-18year-olds to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change.
UKYP was launched at the House of Commons in July 1999, and held its first Sitting in February 2001 in London.
The UK Youth Parliament has 600 elected MYPs (Members of Youth Parliament) aged 11-18. MYPs are elected in annual youth elections throughout the UK. Any young person aged 11-18 can stand or vote. In the past two years one million young people have voted in UK Youth Parliament elections.
Once elected MYPs organise events and projects, run campaigns and influence decision makers on the issues which matter most to young people. All MYPs meet once a year at the UK Youth Parliament Annual Sitting.
UKYP Campaigns
Each year thousands of young people help decide the UK Youth Parliament's campaign priorities. The 2014/2015campaigns focused on curriculum for life, voting at age 16, mental health issues and raising the minimum living wage.
What UKYP believe in
The views of young people are represented in the UK Youth Parliament Manifesto, which contains statements on the issues MYPs think are most important.
UKYP regularly brings together its MYPs at a regional level, to organise campaigns, projects and events and identify common issues of concern. UKYP then, where possible, links to the regional Government Offices, Assemblies and Development Agencies to ensure young people’s views are being heard and acted upon.
The future is bright for UKYP, as more young people hear about it, more decision makers meet and are inspired by our MYPs, and more challenging projects exhibit the real value of involving young people in decision making.
Here are some of the UK Youth Parliament's achievements...
1998 – Andrew Rowe MP presents a ten minute rule bill to the House of Commons calling for the creation of a Youth Parliament
1999-2001 - UK Youth Parliament launched at the House of Commons and first national sitting held in London
2004 – 90% of Local Authorities sign up to UK Youth Parliament
2005 – UK Youth Parliament works internationally to establish Youth Parliaments worldwide
2007 – PM announces intention to have Members of Youth Parliament sit in House of Commons chamber
2008 – Record voting turnout, as over half a million young people hit the ballot boxes to vote for their Members of Youth Parliament
2008 – Government announce sex and relationships education to become statutory as a direct result of UK Youth Parliament campaign
2009 – First UK Youth Parliament awards ceremony held in Parliament
2009 – MPs vote to allow Members of Youth Parliament to sit in House of Commons chamber
2010 – Ten year anniversary celebration
2011 - After working in partnership for many years, The British Youth Council took over the management of UKYP in April 2011
2012 - UK Youth Parliament holds first ever elections in Northern Ireland
2013 - Youth Parliament calls for the voting age to be lowered to 16 in all public elections
2014 - UKYP smashes records as over 875,000 11-18 year olds vote in Make Your Mark ballot
2015 - MYPs join MPs and Lords to celebrate 750 years of Parliament
Changes in 2011!
In April 2011 the Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families: Tim Loughton MP issued a statement about the future funding arrangements for the UK Youth Parliament. The British Youth council (BYC) was awarded a grant to manage UKYP activities.
The BYC will continue UKYP key functions and sustain its independence and distinct identity for six months from April. The Government is considering what arrangements would be appropriate to sustain UKYP in the longer-term.
The British Youth Council, a charity committed to empowering young people across the UK to have a greater say in society, has already been working in partnership with UKYP on initiatives such as the Young Ambassadors scheme, and has frequently shared a platform when promoting a common cause or campaign.
At a local level many of the youth participation resources support both youth councils and MYPs. This new arrangement will not only support UKYP programme, but will provide mutual value added benefits that come with a shared infrastructure.
The contract will make BYC responsible for the management and delivery of core activities .and services to local authorities already participating through a regional and devolved structure, and will include the annual sitting, support for media spokespeople and planning for the House of Commons debates. Our immediate priority will be continuity to ensure business as usual.
BYC is committed to working with the Government and UKYPs supporters to achieve what is in the best interests of all children and young people who want to make a difference to their communities and society.
What it means to be an MYP
Being an MYP is a very exciting opportunity. Throughout your term of office you will have the chance to get involved in a range of activities. For example, MYPs meet with MPs and local councillors, organise events, run campaigns, make speeches, hold debates, and ensure the views of young people are listened to by decision makers. But the most important aspect of any MYP’s job is to make sure they represent the views of the young people in their constituency. You will learn more about the role and expectations of an MYP/Deputy MYP at the Wakefield UKYP workshops.
For more information about the UK Youth Parliament and its work go to:-
– Why not join their mailing list!
twitter.com/ukyp