A record number of young people have taken part in this year’s national Youth Parliament elections with the winning candidates announced this week.
More than 18,000 votes were cast following a citywide poll to choose who will represent young people in Manchester - and the city at a national level at the UK Youth Parliament.
The newly elected Manchester Youth Parliament (MYPs) representatives will be:
Alishba Amir, 16, Wright Robinson High School
Oscar Brooker, 15, Manchester Enterprise Academy
Jannatul Tafsir Munshi Chowdhury, 16, Manchester High School for Girls
The MYPs work with local leaders to help shape the city for children and young people and drive campaigns to make change in their local area – and at a national level.
The trio will each serve for a two-year term, giving young people a platform to have a say in decisions affecting young people locally – amplifying the views of children and young people and what is important to them. This includes listening to marginalised groups, organising events, meeting MPs, lobbying for change, campaigning and appearing in the media.
The elected youth representatives are also able to access training and other opportunities through the British Youth Council and UK Youth Parliament.
What the newly elected MYPs want to achieve during their tenure:
Alishba’s focus is to raise awareness around mental health, period poverty and to improve opportunities for young people.
She said: “Many children are deprived of opportunities due to their background that they can't control, and unable to voice their opinions for change. Building more youth centres means you will have better opportunities, helping us voice our opinions and build essential future skills.”
Oscar said: “My most passionate issue I would like to raise is the environment: Climate Change, Air Pollution and Global Warming, which all link together. People across the UK, especially Generation Z, are going to face catastrophic consequences if this is not addressed. This would be my top priority whilst in office.”
Jannatul Tafsir said: “We need a change in Manchester's youth community, and I am committed to achieving it. Being someone who's faced mental health struggles, I understand the importance of creating an inclusive space for all young people to express themselves and socialise through fun and enjoyable activities. That's why I would prioritise increasing the number of youth clubs and introducing various opportunities to empower and unite the youth in Manchester.”
The MYP candidates were announced at a special event at the Generator Space in Manchester’s Town Hall Extension with speeches by the successful candidates, the outgoing MYPs.
Find out more about the UK Youth Parliament
Manchester is also currently working towards becoming a UNICEF Child Friendly City, which recognises a city’s work to make sure the council and its partners put children’s rights into practice and are listened to.
Article 12 of the Child Friendly City process ensures that young people have the right to have a say in decisions affecting them and their local area – exemplified by the Manchester Youth Parliament’s aim to give young people in the city a voice.
Find out more about Manchester’s journey to become a UNICEF Child Friendly City.
Cllr Garry Bridges, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People:
“Our young people are the experts in the issues that affect them and through the Youth Parliament, young people in Manchester are given a platform to listen to their peers and make real change to how the city – and country – responds to the struggles facing teenagers today.
“I look forward to listening to and working with our newly elected MYPs to find out more about what matters to them, empower them to speak up, and together make lasting change that will improve the lives of young people in Manchester.”