Seven Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament joined Members of the Children’s Parliament in raising the voices of their peers to the Scottish Government’s Executive Team. The ‘Executive Takeover’ meeting is held annually, with this edition held at St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh in late June.
The Executive Team are led by the Permanent Secretary of the Scottish Government, John-Paul Marks, who was interviewed by SYP’s former Chair Mollie McGoran about his role, his team, and why it is important for Scottish Government to hear from the voices of children and young people.
Reflecting on Co-Chairing the Executive Takeover, chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, Ellie Craig MSYP said:
“It’s great to meet with the Scottish Government’s Executive Team to discuss the views of young people from across Scotland. Our MSYPs spoke with senior civil servants about SYP’s new national campaigns – mental health training and support, youth work funding and gender-based violence.”
“We appreciate this time to work together to ensure young people’s participation is embedded into the work of Scottish Government, especially considering the incorporation of the UNCRC.”
John-Paul Marks, Permanent Secretary for the Scottish Government said:
“Colleagues and I are delighted to be meeting with both the Scottish Youth Parliament and the Children’s Parliament, for this year’s children and young people’s ‘take-over’ of the Executive Team meeting. This will enable us to learn firsthand about the issues that matter most to children and young people across Scotland and listen closely to their lived experience. The meeting is an opportunity to ensure they are at the heart of decisions that affect them and their voices are amplified across Scottish Government”.
– John-Paul Marks
