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Thursday 21 April 2011

FVC Students Help Falkirk Youth to Be Heard

Two Forth Valley College students are gearing up to take their place as members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) for Falkirk East.

Melissa Russell (20) a BA Media and Communications student from Laurieston and Christopher Adamson (17) an Access and Progression Workstart student from Bo’ness, have been co-opted onto the non-party political organisation in order to help Falkirk’s youth be heard at a national level.

Set up in 1999 and officially inaugurated one day before Scotland’s own National Parliament, the SYP has four national sittings at various locations throughout the country per year. It carries out a range of consultations to allow 14-25 year-olds an input to the key decisions that affect them.

There are currently 148 members of the Scottish Youth Parliament. A total of nine young people expressed an interest in representing Falkirk East and West which would have prompted an election. However the nominations dwindled until only four - two from each constituency (Falkirk East and West) – remained and they were then co-opted as MSYPs for a two year term.

Melissa said:

“Like most youngsters I did not think about politics much, but I have now reached the point in my life when I realise that it affects just about every area of our lives. I would now like to try to make other young people aware of that and try to help make a difference in their lives by highlighting social issues that affect them.

“I am really enjoying being an SYP member and it is exciting at the moment going out and visiting schools and colleges, setting up a youth forum and telling young people who we are and what we are trying to do. We are trying to get the message out as much as possible and the youngsters we are speaking to seem really enthusiastic.”

Tags: 14-18 year olds, Adults, Clackmannan, Community outreach, Current students, Earlsgate, Employers, Event, Falkirk, Full-time, Parents, Raploch, Schools, Stirling

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