As the democratic voice of Scotland’s young people, we’re looking forward to meeting with all members at the next National Sitting to discuss the issues most important to them.
Our National Sittings are a flagship event, and this year, we’ll be focusing on topics such as housing, gender-based violence, political literacy, and youth work.
Over the weekend, we’ll also launch our 2026–2031 Manifesto: Dear Scotland’s Future. Shaped by the voices of nearly 5,000 young people, this new manifesto aims to influence decision-making across the country in the years to come.
SYP National Sittings enable MSYP to debate and approve motions, as well as develop leadership, communication, and other essential life skills through workshops and informal discussions. Some of this year’s workshops include religious observance in schools; education reform, assessments and qualifications; and safety on public buses.
Ellie Craig, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), said: “SYP National Sittings offer an incredible opportunity for our entire membership to learn about the issues affecting young people across Scotland in a space that is safe, welcoming, and youth-led.
“Through peer-to-peer discussions, MSYPs work together not only to highlight the challenges young people are facing, but also to provide decision-makers with strategies tailored to their needs, as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
“What’s more, this year’s National Sitting will see the launch of our new manifesto, which will serve as a roadmap to shape future decisions at local, regional, and national levels. It will be available in full, along with accessible versions, on the SYP website from Saturday, 6 September.”
Alongside the new manifesto, SYP has also launched a new strategy which will lead the organisation for the next five years and support our vision for Scotland. It also highlights how SYP will support MSYPs to effect change and represent Scotland’s young people on the issues they tell us are important to them. Our strategy can be found here.
