Janet*, 17, believes a UK Youth Parliament will change the way adults treat young people.
| To have a UK Youth Parliament will mean the government will always have to listen to us and we’ll have our say. |
The success of local youth and school councils has made young people realise that it's important to have an official voice where policy is being made - in Parliament.
The elections for the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) began at the end of October 2000 and have now been completed. Any young person, resident in the UK and aged between 11 and 18 can vote and stand for election, provided they attend their local Election Day.
Those elected will be able to talk to MPs about the issues that affect young people everywhere, from curfews and fair wages to the number of teenage pregnancies. They will also create a Youth Manifesto, which will be presented to the three main political parties and service providers for young people for them to respond to. Janet explains why she got involved
Won't it just be adults telling young people what to say?
No. They really want young people to get involved. They want young people to set up the parliament, which will be a forum for their ideas. There are consultation days for young people and everyone sits down and discusses what they want to happen and what they want the Youth Parliament to be about.
Why do you think there is a need for a national Youth Parliament?
At the minute we've got lots of little youth councils all around the country and they're really good for what they are. But they're not very big and can only really act in their part of the country. To have a UK Youth Parliament will mean the government will always have to listen to us and we'll have our say. I've always been involved in youth issues and I've believe very strongly that even though I'm 16 my opinions should still matter.
How did you find out about the Parliament?
I'd been on a youth council (for local young people) for two years and it was suggested that we should get involved. Someone sent away for a pack and we found out there was a consultation day in York which would explain what it was all about.
How do you actually become a youth MP?
Every local education authority (LEA) across the country has been asked to host an election for the UKYP. At least one MYP (Member of the Youth Parliament) will be chosen by each LEA, depending on the numbers of young people in the area. Young people can get involved through their schools and youth groups, who will then help them to take part in the election days.
What's the hard bit?
Trying to include everyone. At the consultation in York, nearly everyone was over 13. Younger children especially find it difficult to travel to meetings. Also, a lot of regional youth councils don't have much money. Hopefully, young people will discuss these issues at consultation days and get them sorted.
What will you get out of this?
We're going to be working with the government - that's especially amazing for me, as I want to be a politician when I'm older. How has being part of all this changed you? I went to County Hall and there were loads of young people there. I also went to Westminster and stood up in front of 2,000 people and asked William Hague a question.
Do your friends and family respect what you're doing?
The majority are dead proud of me. I think they think I'm a bit mad as I gave up a lot of my time to do it!
*This name has been changed.
About the team
This article was produced by Editor Philip Lockyer, 17, and reporters: Emma Allison, 12 & Lyndsey Smeaton, 11. It was published at www.yourturn.net.
