YOUTH PARLIAMENT

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Over the last 10 years Local Authorities have invested a great deal of resource in developing young people’s involvement in Local Government. During that time thousands of Youth forums/councils have been established, ensuring that young people’s views have been heard and acted upon at a local level.

The UK Youth Parliament was formally established in January 2001, with the aim of giving the young people of the UK, between the age of 11 and 18 (inclusive) a voice, which will be heard and listened to by local and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies who have an interest in the views and needs of young people.

Three young people are elected annually to represent the county as members of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP). In Worcestershire a Youth Cabinet has also been established. This is comprised of three young people from each District in the County. This group complements the Youth Parliament members and provides a greater local emphasis and scope to young people’s involvement and influence on decision making

The UKYP members (MYP'S)attend regional and national meetings, produce a national UKYP manifesto, to which the Government responds and are involved in local issues and representative bodies. There are over 400 MYP's, from every local authority in England and through partnerships with the Scottish Youth Parliament , Funky Dragon in Wales and the Northern Ireland Youth Forum.

UKYP involves hundreds of thousands of young people in the democratic process, empowering them to take action within their communities based upon the issues of concern and making sure their views are heard. As well as the annual sitting, MYPs are active in their local and regional areas throughout the year, and predominantly are supported through Local Government.

COSTS

The cost of this initiative in Worcestershire are met largely through the County Council Youth Service

CONTACT

Paul Finnemore, Youth Officer – Participation and Information / (Quality Assurance, Communications, and Youth Voice), Worcester City Youth House, Spring Gardens, Worcester, WR1 2AE, 01905 29743, pfinnemore@worcestershire.gov.uk

USEFUL LINKS

For the latest UK news visit

http://www.ukyp.org.uk/