Opportunities

“We believe that to embed a culture of meaningful participation it has to start from the top.”

Ellie Craig, MSYP

The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) are offering a unique opportunity for senior SG officials to learn from Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) about the challenges and methods of meaningful participation. 

Participants will be able to:

  • identify the barriers young people encounter when they are invited to participate in decision making,

  • understand the level of preparation young people undertake to engage with decision makers,

  • understand the benefits of open, transparent and meaningful engagement of young people in decision making.

Senior SG officials are invited to consider the following opportunities:

  1. Work-shadowing an MSYP in a live leadership role and experience first-hand how they work in youth-friendly spaces, 

  2. Participating in an Article 12 youth-led training event (delivered by MSYPs),

1. Work-shadowing MSYPs in a leadership role

Officials will be invited to take part in three meetings with the MSYP they are shadowing, and witness the different stages of a participation process.

  • PLANNING* - A preparation meeting to see how young people in a leadership role work with SYP staff to develop a youth-friendly and engaging session plan.

  • PARTICIPATION - The delivery of a participatory meeting with a group of young people. This might include a Consultation Workshop held sponsored by an SG policy team, a Youth Ethics Advisory Panel held with Police Scotland, or an SYP Board meeting.

  • FEEDBACK* - where the MSYP will explain building a feedback loop and demonstrate how it contributes to a meaningful participation process. 

2. Article 12 youth-led training

MSYPs will deliver youth-led Article 12 training (90mins). The session will be delivered by 2-3 MSYPs to a group of 6-10 officials. Training can be delivered online, however in-person is preferred.

Training will include:

  • What is the UNCRC & Article 12

  • Article 12 in action, and the Lundy model of participation

  • Barriers to participation and engaging with seldom-heard groups

  • Meaningful feedback

This training is delivered through creative and engaging means, and designed to challenge decision makers to consider how these four areas intersect with the work of decision makers.

How to take part

If you would like to find out more about these opportunities, get in touch with SYP’s UNCRC Participation Manager, Matt, at matt.m@syp.org.uk, who will arrange for SYP’s Rights Champions to plan one of the above participation opportunities.