In June 2025, MSYPs took part in a focus group with the Child and Youth Rights Unit of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), focusing on the role of national platforms such as youth parliaments in fostering peaceful societies and creating an enabling environment for the enjoyment of human rights by all. Following the focus group, Hamish Nott MSYP (Inverness and Nairn) was invited to represent SYP at the UN Human Rights Council’s Biennial Panel on Youth and Human Rights in Geneva. Here are his reflections from the event.
I was invited to the UN Headquarters in Geneva to take part in the UN Human Rights Council Biennial Panel on youth and human rights, which focused on ‘the role of youth in fostering peaceful societies and creating an enabling environment for the enjoyment of human rights by all.’ The role of national platforms such as Youth Parliaments and Councils had been identified as a key theme within the UN work in this area, and it was an honour to showcase the Scottish Youth Parliament on the international stage.
Since I was in Geneva for two days, this allowed me to arrange meetings with staff covering SYP’s different campaign priorities, including the right to education and health mandates, and the office responsible for monitoring human rights in the UK and Europe. After an early morning flight, I picked up my security pass from the United Nations and went straight into meetings. It was fascinating to hear the international challenges around rights to education and health, as well as the amazing work different UN departments are doing across the world. Meeting with the UK desk officer offered a unique perspective into how the United Nations views the UK in relation to upholding human rights, especially against the current political backdrop.
On the morning of the Panel, I was both nervous and excited, especially when going into the main Assembly Building – it is one thing to imagine a dream, and a totally different experience to be living it in the moment! I met with Helen and Yasamin, who have been my UN contacts throughout the whole process and have been so supportive, and then had a short icebreaker and souvenir exchange session with the other panellists before going into the Assembly Room.
Being in a room of this scale, in terms of size and the level of decisions made, added to the overall gravitas of the event, especially when sitting on the raised platform with my own name plaque! The panel began with opening statements from the Vice President of the Human Rights Council, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, followed by each of the panellists’ statements.
During my statement, I spoke about the structure of SYP, as well as our links with decision makers in the Scottish Government and Parliament. I also discussed the changes SYP has managed to achieve in Scotland, focusing on the free under-22 bus passes and our All Aboard campaign. I concluded by encouraging the Human Rights Council to ensure all young people, especially those who are furthest from their rights, are included in the whole process around decisions affecting them and that national youth voice organisations, such as SYP, are embedded within existing national decision-making structures to help overcome existing geographical and demographic challenges.
After our statements, young people and delegates from the Human Rights Council shared inputs from different countries around the world. It was fascinating to hear the range of participation and work countries were doing to include young people in decision-making, in addition to the potential barriers facing young people. To close the session, panellists were given three minutes for closing remarks, where I recognised the points made by Thailand and the Maldives around social media and the challenge of constantly adapting to ensure young people feel heard in a way that best works for them.
When the panel finished, we visited some of the famous spots around the UN site, including the Broken Chair statue and the Alley of the Flags. I also visited Palais Wilson and the beautiful Lake Geneva.
I was particularly struck by the enthusiasm and, in some cases, determination from decision makers at this event to actively want to hear the views and concerns of young people. It was also exciting to hear about the successful aspects of engagement used by young people in different parts of the world, which the United Nations could adopt into their future work.
This opportunity required and helped me develop a wide variety of skills, even before arriving for the session! There was much coordination between SYP and United Nations staff when writing my speech and organising additional meetings with UN staff working on the Right to Education and those who monitor human rights across the UK and Europe. This allowed me to improve my communication skills. I also greatly developed my confidence and critical thinking, due to the high-profile nature and overall importance of the session. It was also important to have an in-depth understanding of current work SYP is undertaking and planning, and this opportunity helped me to get an even better insight into how much SYP does to support and represent Scotland’s young people at all levels of decision-making.
It is impossible to overstate the importance of young people participating in events like this, particularly with the United Nations. The impact of discussions at an international level can arguably have a significantly further reaching impact than anywhere else. Although this level of decision making requires significantly more formality than more informal local meetings with decision makers, young people should not be put off by this. This opportunity has been one of the most outstanding highlights of my SYP journey so far. I loved every moment, from speaking to the Human Rights Council to visiting the different buildings where history-making decisions have been made.
My message to all young people is this: always believe in yourself and the work that you do. Sometimes the conversations with your peers in the most relaxed environments can have just as much of an impact as speaking to a Prime Minister or an international organisation such as the United Nations.
In a world where the challenges affecting young people are constantly changing, especially with the rise of social media and online misinformation, it is becoming more important than ever that young people discuss and share our views, and that we are present in the meetings where decisions are being taken about our future.
This opportunity came about because I signed up to share my views at an online focus group on a random Friday night. I never expected it would lead to a trip to the United Nations. So, my advice for MSYPs is simple: say yes to every opportunity, you never know where it will lead – maybe even to the UN!
