North Ayrshire’s Members of Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) attended Scottish Youth Parliament’s National Sitting 2025 at Paisley Town Hall, hosted warmly last weekend by Renfrewshire Council.
Emma Henderson, of Arran High School, and Rhyan Gorrie, of Kilbirnie (one of our NEW Youth Work Modern Apprentices), attended to represent the views of young people in the Cunninghame North constituency.
Joining them was Emma Burns, of Irvine (Irvine Royal Academy), and Freya Fitzsimmons, of Kilwinning (St Matthew’s,) to represent the views of young constituents in Cunninghame South.
Making the journey with colleagues from North Ayrshire Youth Work – part of the council’s Community Learning and Development service – North Ayrshire’s Members of Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) had an action-packed weekend staying over from Saturday 6 to Sunday 7 September to attend the 83rd annual SYP National Sitting (SYP83) at Paisley Town Hall.
The annual sittings are crucial from a local and national democracy perspective as the important meetings are Scotland’s primary youth forum for MSYPs to network, set policy, campaign and debate on behalf of other young people.
By being part of Scottish Youth Parliament (a politically neutral charitable organisation) youth voices can be heard by decision-makers at a local and national level and concrete campaigns and policy can then be developed.
Youth Worker and Assessor Craig Burns shared: “It was a privilege to support our local Members of Scottish Youth Parliament to attend the SYP83 sitting, where they demonstrated their dedication, leadership, and a strong commitment to representing the voices of young people in North Ayrshire.
“The Scottish Youth Parliament’s manifesto plays an important role in shaping priorities that matter to young people. It directly contributes to North Ayrshire Council’s work on strengthening youth voice and upholding our commitment to the UNCRC and it was brilliant to have them on board over the weekend to put the views of North Ayrshire’s young people on the map.”
Our dedicated MSYPs used the milestone event to network and discuss a host of important issues.
The motions from this year’s sitting included providing secondary school breakfasts (a motion put forward by Emma Henderson from Arran High school), improving procedures for handling sexual assault allegations, addressing Artificial Intelligence, improving access to youth work and ending phone bans in schools.
The SYP83 Sitting also saw the official launch of SYP’s new ‘Shaping Scotland’s Future Manifesto‘ for 2026-2031. Written by young people, for young people, it captures the issues that matter most to Scotland’s young people and turns them into clear policies that decision-makers can act on.
Every word reflects the voices, experiences, and ambitions of young people themselves, making it not just a document but a powerful tool for change.
Why are Scottish Youth Parliament sittings important?
Policy Development: During the sittings, if MSYPs vote and pass a motion, it will then become an official SYP policy. This youth-led approach to policy development is at the heart of Scottish Youth Parliament’s vital campaign work to a better Scotland for all young people.
Youth Voice and Participation: Sittings provide an accessible platform and inclusive democratic process aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to give young people the right to participate in the decision-making processes affecting them.
Holding decision-makers to account: The official policy developed as a result of the sitting provides MSYPs with a mandate to campaign on these issues that will be put forward to Scotland’s most influential decision-makers including the First Minister, Cabinet Secretaries, and senior civil servants.
Training and Development: MSYPs take part in SQA-recognised training and knowledge workshops to help them effectively carry out their vital roles.
Impactful Campaigns: In previous years, many important campaigns have originated from SYP sittings such as voting from age 16 and 17, the incorporation of UNCRC into Scots Law and free bus travel for people under 22 years of age.
All 32 local authority areas represented: During the SYP83 sitting, a range of perspectives, views, opinions and experiences were discussed following engagement with the wards and constituents that the MSYPs represent from across Scotland’s diverse communities to ensure no young people was left behind.
Find out more about Scottish Youth Parliament on their website.
How else can young people get involved in citizenship and democracy at a local level?
North Ayrshire Council’s Youth Participation and Citizenship strategy sets out how young people across North Ayrshire can play an active role in their schools and communities.
Getting involved in Scottish Youth Parliament, Youth Forums, Pupil Councils, North Ayrshire Youth Council, Youth Groups, Eco Committees, Sports Leadership, Peer Education – are just some of the ways young people can get their voice heard on matters that affect them.
Drop an email to: youthwork@north-ayrshire.gov.uk to find out more.
We’d love to hear from your team if you’re working on a project that is championing the rights and voices of children and young people? Email communications@north-ayrshire.gov.uk for your chance to be featured next time.