UK Youth Parliament Elections

Darlington 2018

http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/

What is the UK Youth Parliament?

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) enables young people to use their energy and passion to change the world for the better.

Run by young people for young people, UKYP provides opportunities for young people aged 11-18 years old to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change.

UKYP was launched at the House of Commons in July 1999, and held its first sitting in February 2001 in . There are currently over 400 elected MYPs (Member of Youth Parliament) and DMYPs (Deputy Members of Youth Parliament).

What does it mean to be a MYP?

Being an MYP is a very exciting opportunity. Throughout your term of office you will have the chance to get involved in a range of activities.

For example, MYPs meet with MPs and local councillors, organise events, run campaigns, make speeches, and hold debates, to ensure the views of young people are listened to by decision makers.

“The most important aspect of any MYP, is to make sure they represent the views of young people in their constituency”.

MYP’s are politically neutral.

The Structure

UKYP recognises the regional boundaries of the UK, as defined by the Government and has developed a regional group supported by a Regional Co-ordinator in each of the nine English regions. Agreements have been developed with the national youth agencies in , and (the Scottish Youth Parliament, Funky Dragon – Wales, and the Northern Ireland Youth Forum) to ensure the young people in those areas are represented on UKYP.

Any young person who is a resident of the UK, and aged between 11 and 17 years old (inclusive) has the right to stand for election as an MYP and the right to vote for their MYP. Each Local Authority (LA) across represents a UKYP constituency. Each constituency has a minimum of one MYP elected as a representative to UKYP. To stand you must live in the constituency, to vote you must live or be educated in the constituency, in Darlington has 1 young person is elected to UKYP for a two year term of office.

http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/

What’s it all about and how does it work?

UKYP aims to give young people aged between 11-18 years of age a voice, which will be listened to by local, regional and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies who have an interest in the views of young people.

It has an independent national identity that has a rolling programme of activities across the year, including an Annual sitting, a Sitting in the House of Commons and regional meetings.

Objectives

UKYP is composed of representatives between 11-18 years old

 UKYP ensures that the young people of the UK are given a voice on any issue that affects them, as laid out in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

 UKYP gives the young people of the UK an opportunity to be involved in a democratic process at a national level

 UKYP empowers young people to take positive action within their local communities based upon issues of shared concern

 UKYP is a non-party political organisation. They seek to represent no party political view.

The role of MYPs

During their term of office MYPs will:

 Work with their MPs, councilors’ and local youth groups on the issues of greatest concern to their constituents.

 MYPs across the UK work to give young people a voice

 Listening to marginalized groups

 Organising events

 Meeting MPs

 Lobbying for change

 Organising campaigns

 Appearing in the media, all to amplify the views of their peers

http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/ Nationally, the views of young people are represented in the UKYP manifesto, which contains statements on the issues MYPs think are most important. To view the UKYP manifesto, please go to www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk

MYP is increasingly being recognised at a local and national level. UKYP works hard to enable MYPs to meet regularly with Government Ministers, Members of the Opposition and civil servants.

UKYP also works to promote the role and influence of MYPs to service providers, e.g. the transport industry and health.

Support from Darlington Council

If you are interested in becoming the MYP for Darlington, we will provide:

A dedicated officer who will support you in your role as MYP for Darlington.

Financial support for your UKYP role e.g. travels expenses.

Where appropriate, accompany you to meetings.

Help develop your own manifesto.

Assist with establishing meetings with local councilors’/ Officers.

In Darlington we will elect a MYP and a Deputy MYP (the candidate with the second most votes will become the deputy).

Whilst Darlington will support both the MYP and Deputy MYP in their role, financial support can only be provided to the elected MYP for Darlington.

If however the DMYP attends an event on behalf of MYP, expenses will be covered.

http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/ Timetable

Event Timescale Submission of interest 28th October – 28th November 2017

Initial meeting with Youth 29th November 2017, 6-7:30pm @ Parliament candidates and C:The Box parents/careers/ teachers

Candidate Briefing 6th December 2017, TBC

Manifesto workshop 13th December, 2017 TBC Yes I am a firm Candidate 31st December

Candidate support sessions as Ring, Andy on: 07949518506 or email and when required [email protected]

Youth Parliament Candidates 10th January, 5:30-7pm@ C:The Box drop in Press Launch Manifestos 17th January at 5:30-7pm@ C:The Box

Campaigning start 18th January – 23rd February

Election Week 26th February – 2nd March

Count Night with the Mayor of 6th March 6:00-8:00pm Darlington Darlington Councillor Tom Town Hall in the Council Chambers Nutt (All candidates are asked to attend) The new Member of Youth 6st March 2018-29th February 2020 Parliament takes office

AW DBC MYP Election 2018

http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/