Subject Committees
Every MSYP becomes member of one of our eight Subject Committees, each of which takes responsibility for a specific area of policy.
Useful Links
Each year, Subject Committees are formed and new Conveners and Deputy Conveners elected to drive forward the Committee’s focus for that year. They meet at least twice a year – at an SYP Sitting and online – to decide how they would like to advocate on their selected issue.
The role of SYP’s Subject Committees often includes engaging with their counterpart Committees at the Scottish Parliament, The Scottish Government or other charities, carrying out consultation work and and acting as guest speakers. You can see each Committee’s remit and view the Conveners and Deputy Conveners below.
The Conveners Group is made up of the MSYPs elected to convene each of the Subject Committees and is the main policy and campaigning steering group of the organisation. They are responsible for almost all issues relating to SYP policy and campaigns including: which policy consultations SYP responds to, acting as ambassadors for the national campaign, and planning and facilitating Subject Committee meetings.
Culture and Media
Committee remit: the arts, Gaelic language, traditional Scottish culture (including music and dance), heritage and museums, the media, and tourism.
Education and Lifelong Learning
Committee remit: school education, Further and Higher education, adult and community education.
Equality, Human Rights and Social Security
Committee remit: human rights (including the UNCRC), accessibility, issues related to disability, gender, race, sexuality, any other issues which arise as a result of barriers to access or discrimination, housing and area regeneration, poverty and deprivation, homelessness, family issues (including adoption, fostering, carers and the care system), community empowerment, and social security system.
External Affairs, UK, and International
Committee remit: UK and European legislation, relationships with Europe and the rest of the world, and reserved matters.
Health, Wellbeing and Sport
Committee remit: drugs, healthy living, medical costs, mental health, National Health Service, private healthcare, sexual health, sport and leisure facilities, grassroots sporting provision, national sporting achievement and diversity in sport.
Jobs, Economy and Fair Work
Committee remit: economic growth and sustainability, entrepreneurship, employment opportunities and rights, government training schemes and initiatives, and non-formal education opportunities.
Justice
Committee remit: police and criminal law, the justice system, and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Transport, Environment, and Rural Affairs
Committee remit: sustainable development, the climate crisis, transport, natural heritage, island issues, wildlife, farming and fishing, and land reform.
