by Ross McArthur MSYP

With the first sitting of the new Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) membership and the AGM behind us, I am delighted to officially say I’m a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) for Glasgow Anniesland.

So what have I been doing as your MSYP thus far?

On June 29 and 30, along with my constituency partner, Kerry-Lee Dalgleish, I attended the 69th sitting of SYP69 which was held at Alva Academy in Alloa.

Between the two of us we ensured that the young people of Glasgow Anniesland were well represented on a wide range of issues from transport and education to health and the economy.

This year’s Scottish Youth Parliament campaign was also selected at the sitting, which I am excited to announce will be environmental protection.

This is fitting following on from this past year’s youth-led climate strikes. These strikes have seen young people take the lead to demand that elected politicians make radical, yet much needed changes to decrease the amount of carbon emissions the country produces.

Read more: OPINION Hayley Paku MSYP: I want to see change for youngsters

As a member of the education committee, I also contributed to a debate about what changes we should aspire to make within Scotland’s education system. My main contributions to this debate were why more focus should be applied to the promotion of apprenticeships and on-the-job training as well as the importance of exploring non-conventional ways of education.

This could include extensive technical training in secondary schools particularly for non-academic students who would prefer learning more about vocational subjects rather than concentrating solely on academic subjects.

Earlier in July I attended D in the Park, pictured, which was a great success and saw different communities from across Drumchapel congregate together in a celebration of diversity within the area. It provided me with the opportunity to consult with many young people in the area, and create links with youth groups and other community associations which I’m looking forward to working alongside for the betterment of the local community.

In the next few months, the UK Youth Parliament will begin consulting with young people across the country about issues that are important to them as part of the #MakeYourMark Campaign.

Last year more than one million young people took part in the campaign and as one of the new members of the UK Youth Parliament for Glasgow, I am looking forward to getting to work on this.

Constituents can contact me via Twitter

@RossMSYP

and by email ross.mcarthur.msyp@sypmail.org.uk.