Press Release
Youth Politics Street Stall
Nicole Mouat MSYP and Emily Shaw chair of Shetland Youth Voice supported by Youth Services, Shetland Island Council are holding a street stall promoting youth politics in Shetland and Scotland on Commercial Street outside the Bank of Scotland. It takes place on Saturday 10th July at 12 - 4pm. It is to promote the work carried out by SYP and Shetland Youth Voice and raise awareness among the general public. We would be keen for anyone who is interested in joining Shetland Youth Voice to come along and have a chat; we’ll have leaflets, flyers, freebies and maybe some sweeties too...
Shetland Youth Voice is open to all young people aged 12 - 25 and allows them the opportunity to feed into the democratic process at a local, national and international level. Young people cannot vote till their 18th birthday but that does not stop them expressing their views on any issues that are important to them. Youth Voice provides young people the opportunity to be an active citizen within their local communities.
Shetland Youth Voice then feeds in to the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) which began over ten years ago in 1999 and is getting stronger every year. The SYP listen to young people and understand what issues are important to them and then campaign to try to make Scotland a better place for young people. Their vision is of a stronger, more inclusive Scotland that empowers young people by truly involving them in the decision making process. We do this through our Members (MSYPs) who are elected young people aged between 14- 25 representing different areas and voluntary organisations from across the whole of Scotland. Every year they have at least three national meetings where they discuss issues which affect young people and try to propose new and sometimes radical solutions to these problems.
Councillor Bill Manson said “Nicole and Emily are both playing an active role in Shetland to raise awareness of both organisations. I wish them well for the street stall.”
Tavish Scott MSP said "You can change the country and change Shetland! Nicole and Emily are leading by example by raising issues that matter to Shetland's young people.
I hope many local people will say hello and encourage Nicole and Emily at their street stall."
Nicole and Emily said “These are both great organisations that allow young people like us to voice their opinions and act on issues they feel strongly about. The stall allows young people and adults alike to find out about youth voice and youth parliament, and get involved. See you there!”
For more information please contact Nicole Mouat MSYP on nicole.mouat.msyp@sypmail.org.uk or Emily Shaw chairperson of Shetland Youth Voice on shawemily@hotmail.co.uk
Alternatively check out the Shetland Youth Voice facebook page www.facebook.com/shetlandyouthvoice