Welsh Youth Parliament

The Welsh Youth Parliament (WYP) (Welsh: Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru (SIC)) is a youth model legislature established in 2018 by the National Assembly for Wales.

Welsh Youth Parliament (WYP)

Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru (SIC)
Logo of the Welsh Youth Parliament
The Senedd building in Cardiff Bay
The location of the Senedd in Cardiff, Wales
Abbreviation	WYP/SIC
Motto	Your Voice. Your Choice. Your Future.
Formation	5 December 2018
Founded at	National Assembly, Cardiff CF99 1NA
Type	Voluntary simulated unicameral legislature
Location	Cardiff, Wales
Coordinates	51°27′50″N 3°9′43″W
Area served	Wales
Fields	Youth empowerment Legislative simulation
Membership (2018-19)	60
Official language	Welsh English
Parent organization	National Assembly for Wales
Budget	£100K[1]
Website	youthparliament.wales

It states that its purpose is to empower young people to make decisions, and to provide them with a voice in Welsh politics.

Background

The WYP was formed in December 2018 and consists of sixty members of 11-18 year olds.[2]

Forty members were elected in an electronic election using the assembly constituencies and twenty further members were chosen by partner organisations.[3] The young people are known as Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament (WYPMs).

All sixty members of the Parliament meet nationally, over a total of three occasions, during their two-year term. The organisation meets at the Senedd in Cardiff.

The first meeting of all members took place in February 2019.[4] In addition the members meet in regional meetings to continue their work programme; which are held in the four electoral regions of Wales - Mid & West Wales, North Wales, South-East Wales and South-West Wales[5]. Three regional events are also held over the two-year term where young people from all over Wales can meet with their elected representatives and have their views heard.

Partner organisations

At its inception, youth organisations across Wales were invited to apply to be partner organisations for the inaugural Parliament. Those who were chosen returned between one and three members each to represent them, coming from a diverse range of people in Wales.

Partner organisations of the Welsh Youth Parliament include:

• Barnardo's Cymru[6]
• Caerphilly Youth Service
• Carers Trust Wales[7]
• Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team Wales and Race Council Cymru
• Girlguiding Cymru
• Learning Disability Wales[8]
• National Youth Advocacy Service[9]
• Talking Hands[10][11]
• Tros Gynnal Plant Cymru
• Urdd Gobaith Cymru
• Voices from Care Cymru
• Youth Cymru[12][13][14][15]

References

1. http://senedd.assembly.wales/documents/s75468/Commission%20Budget%202018-19.pdf
2. "Voting for Welsh Youth Parliament opens". BBC News. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
3. "Joining new youth parliament 'incredible'". BBC News. 2018-12-05. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
4. Ruth Mosalski (25 February 2019). "The Welsh Youth Parliament has met for the first time". Wales Online. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
5. "Welsh Youth Parliament Election 2018 Results – Senedd Home".
6. "More than a third of children worried about bullying". ITV News. 5 September 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
7. "Welsh Youth Parliament | Carers Trust". carers.org.
8. "Welsh Youth Parliament".
9. "Nyas Cymru ensure young people in care have a voice at first Welsh Youth Parliament". September 4, 2018.
10. "Welsh Youth Parliament". CWVYS. December 5, 2018.
11. "Talking Hands". CWVYS.
12. "Youth Parliament".
13. "Welsh Youth Parliament".
14. https://ndcscampaigns.com/2018/06/06/wales-new-youth-parliament-are-you-excited/
15. "Welsh Youth Parliament: mental health made priority". BBC News. 23 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-08.