Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people, met at Greenfaulds High School, Cumbernauld on 2 and 3 July.

During the 77th national sitting of the parliament, debate and workshop took place on a number of issues including the future of education in Scotland, the cost of the school day, active travel, a ban on LGBT+ conversion therapy, substance misuse training, and mental health services for care experienced young people.

June Ford, Youth Work Manager said: “We were delighted to host the first in-person sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament in over two and a half years. We are committed to providing a variety of opportunities to engage with young people and have their views and onions heard.

“Our own MSYPs had prepared very well to take part in the motions and the agenda over the two days. In addition to the North Lanarkshire MSYPs, young people from across our North Lanarkshire Youth Voice groups had planned and prepared the evening activities for the MSYPs from across Scotland with a beach party theme.”

Sophie Reid MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament said: “It was great for MSYPs to be able to join together once again for SYP77, our first in-person event since 2019. We had the chance to debate policy, meet with our subject committees, and take part in consultations with the Scottish Government.

“We also launched our first campaign priority on the Right to Food, to ensure that food is accessible, adequate and available for every young person in Scotland. We look forward to continuing our work, campaigning and advocating on the important issues that matter to Scotland’s young people over the coming months, in the lead up to our next sitting in the Scottish Parliament later this year.”

For more information about the Scottish Youth Parliament, visit /syp.org.uk/