We hope that we get listened to and that there is a really big impact from our meeting. We hope that children can be healthy and safe and are protected by the UNCRC articles.
Member of Children’s Parliament, aged 12
Today, Members of Children’s Parliament and Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament will take part in the Annual Cabinet Meeting with Children and Young People.
The meeting gives children and young people the unique opportunity to bring the issues most important to them directly to the First Minister and their Cabinet. It follows the Executive Takeover in June, when children and young people met some of the most senior civil servants in Scotland.
At today’s meeting, at St Andrew’s House – Scottish Government’s Headquarters – seven Members of Children’s Parliament from Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Dundee and Fife will present calls to action representing children from across Scotland.
Their key issues are focussed on:
To read more child-friendly details about these calls to action, please click here.
We want Scotland to be a country that respects, protects and fulfils children’s rights. Today’s Cabinet meeting demonstrates our commitment to hearing first-hand about the issues that are important to children and young people, making sure that their voices are heard, valued and taken seriously. The Children’s Parliament and the Scottish Youth Parliament ensure that our children and young people are empowered to confidently express their views and have a real influence on the issues that matter most to them.
John Swinney MSP, First Minister
Children’s Parliament is committed to ensuring children are listened to and taken seriously at the highest levels of Government. Today Members of Children’s Parliament discussed with the First Minister and Cabinet Secretaries their work with hundreds of children on climate change education, vaping and mental health and bullying in schools. They discussed what action has been taken place over the two year programme and what still needs to change.
Louise Hill, Director of Children’s Parliament
We hope that they listen to what we say.
Member of Children’s Parliament, aged 12