A Parliament led by youngsters
Launched at the House of Commons in July 1999, the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) goal is to give a voice to the young people of the UK between the ages of 11 and 18. Up to present there are over 300 elected MYPs who represent both young men and women, including young people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, and with physical and learning disabilities.
Once elected, MYPs work to establish the burning local, regional and national issues, and then tackle them through targeted campaigns. Recent campaigns have led to the establishment of a youth board to monitor the media’s portrayal of young people and working with the Metropolitan Police Service to alter their Standard Operating Procedure on Stop and Search to ensure young people are treated with respect on the streets.
The UK Youth Parliament works with Partner organisations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It also has Regional Co-ordinators across England.