UK
Youth Parliament Elections
This year saw twenty eight candidates meet at
the Robert
Beard Youth House on January 28th.
They represented various schools from across
the borough, including The Chafford School, Abbs
Cross, Gaynes, Emerson Park, Raphael Independent,
and Coopers. Youth Groups from the Revellers
Youth Club for young people with special needs,
Elm Park Youth Action Group, Harold Hill Youth
Action Group, The
China Exchange Group, Peer
Review Group, The Collier Row Project and Anything
but Straight were also represented.
The day was a combination of fun, games, workshops
and group discussions in the morning, followed
by a drama role play in the afternoon.
Finally,
candidates made their speeches to the audience
and the voting and election took place.
The successful candidates were:
UK Member of Youth Parliament
Joe Bell from Coopers
School
UK Member of Youth Parliament
Josephine Adekanmi from Gaynes School
Deputy UK MYP
James Slaymark from the Harold
Hill Youth Action Group
Deputy UK MYP
Billy Jones from the China Exchange
Group
Everyone who came to the day enjoyed themselves
and was invited to write their comments and thoughts
regarding the day on a graffiti board, some of
which were:
“ I’ve learned that the voice of young people
can be heard”
“
I’ve learned that there is a Youth Parliament
and other groups to be involved in”
“
I’ve made new friends”
“
A more positive view on what Havering does
for young people”
For more information on what it means to be a
UK Member of Youth Parliament please contact
the Youth
Involvement team on 01708 443553 or
lee.reeves@havering.gov.uk
|
|
The UKYP is a national body of democratically elected
young people aged from 11 to 18. The Members of
the Youth Parliament - or MYP's - are from England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and meet
once a year to discuss issues they consider important.
The UKYP doesn't try to mimic Government; there are
no political parties, no shadow cabinet or Prime Ministers
in waiting. English members belong to one of nine regions,
while Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their
own forums affiliated to the UKYP. Young people in
each region elect them once a year. During the rest
of the year, the MYP's meet in their regions when they
like, to try to raise awareness of issues affecting
young people. Some attend council meetings and surgeries
with MPs.
Andrew Rowe formed the UKYP three years ago, then an
MP, as he realised the importance of youth participation
in decision making at all levels. It held its first
national sitting last year.
Just like at Westminster,
members belong to different select committees
examining important issues. For example, there's a committee
on Activities, Media and Fun, and another on Education
and Opportunities. The MYPs on the committees recommend
policies for the UKYP Manifesto.
Last year's manifesto prompted a 31 page response from
the GovernmentThe UKYP is growing year by year. Last
year there were more than 200 MYPs at the national
sitting, this year there were more than 300, and it's
still growing.
As one MYP, 16-year-old Yantra Scot from Essex, put
it:"It's like a rolling ball and its constantly
progressing. The more we do the more
respect we'll get."
James Ray, 16, another MYP from the southeast, said, "It's
going from strength to strength and growing in support".
There are also opportunities in the Borough to involve
you as young people in the services that Havering Council
and the Government undertake locally so please contact
us if you are interested in having your views heard
about your Youth Support Service and for example the
Governments new Connexions Service for young people
13-19.
Over the last few years the Youth Support Service
has helped young people organise and run a number of
Youth
Affairs Forums and Youth Action Groups. There maybe
one in your area or you may wish to develop one with
our support.
The UKYP became a registered charity last year and,
like many charities, is short of money. Many of the
trustees are former MYP's so as to guarantee that the
views of young people are really listened to.
In Havering you have two UK Youth Parliament
elected representatives who are:
Danny Hodsoll MYP (Barking and
Dagenham College)
Jack Yetton MYP (Havering Sixth form)
Carina Herbett DEP (Abbs Cross)
Joe Bell DEP (Coopers Coburn)
Please contact Lee
Reeves should you wish to get in touch or speak to them.
Previous News:
22/03/05:
Voices for Havering’s youth
2004: UKYP in Havering: What have they
been up to?
Havering’s
elections for the UK Youth Parliament |
