UKYP

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) provides opportunities for young people aged 11 to 18 to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change. Decision makers across the UK use UKYP as a mechanism to seek the views of young people.

NIYF coordinates the UKYP in Northern Ireland, looking after the allocation of 18 Members of the Youth Parliament (MYP’s). The group were elected in February 2014 and will their seats until February 2015.  The group will be working hard to seek the views of young people from around NI, and engage them in campaigning and lobbying.

Procedures Group

UKYP’s Procedures Group (PG) make the decisions that guide the development of UKYP, and agree the arrangements for each Annual Sitting. The Procedures Group is made up of one ex MYP from each region within the UK, who have been nominated by their region to represent the views of their MYPs at a national level. It aims to physically meet a minimum of five times a year. 

PG 2015 – 2016
Rebecca Connolly

Get in Contact:

@Pandaconnolly

 Rebeccaconnolly_@hotmail.co.uk

Elections are now open for UYKP 2015

Who can stand?
Any young person aged 11-18 can stand to be an MYP. An MYP must stand down on their 19th birthday. Persons aged 19 and over will not be able to attend national events such as the Annual Sitting and the House of Commons. You must live, work for a minimum of 14 hours, or be in education in the constituency in which you wish to stand for election. You cannot stand in more than one constituency in the same year’s election.

What will I be expected to do?

The role of a Member of Youth Parliament is to:

– support youth voice and actively engage with every young person in their constituency;
– promote the positive work of UKYP.
– create UKYP policy and campaigns;
– meet regularly with other youth councils and forums in their area;
– speak on behalf of their constituents;
– take the views of their constituents to BYC Conventions and report on local campaigns;
– ensure that the work of UKYP is not affiiated with any political party;
– carry out other tasks as relevant in their local authority and agree with their local authority worker;
– participate in meetings;
– take part in the UKYP national campaign consultation and support young people in their areas to take part too;
– take part in votes on national policy and campaigns priority;
– communicate to the media as appropriate and under BYC media guidelines; and
– take news of UKYP’s work back to their constituency.

What is the timetable for the elections?

7th February candidates open day/training/brief
10th February close of nomination
17th February voting goes live
27th February voting closes
28th February Election results

For more information

If you want to talk to someone about being an MYP please contact Claire@niyf.org.

How do I apply?

Please fill in the online application here