Inspirational young people are the future of politics
Councillor Elaine Cowan, in her role as the Council’s Spokesperson for Education, and Children and Young People hosted a meeting recently with four young people who are committed to representing and improving the lives of their peers.
Two of East Ayrshire’s Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP), Lucy MacKinnon from Kilmarnock Academy and David McGilp, formerly of The Robert Burns Academy and now Strathclyde University, and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Children and Young People’s Cabinet, Sarah McCready and Caleb Lincoln, both from St Joseph’s Academy; joined Councillor Cowan to discuss their priorities for the year head and to talk about important issues of the day that affect young people across East Ayrshire. Unfortunately our third MSYP Morgan McPherson from Stewarton Academy was unable to attend.
All, and every topic was covered, from the upcoming Joint Cabinet and Children and Young People’s Cabinet in March, plans for a Colour Run in April that has been made possible thanks to Participatory Budgeting funding; Budget consultation events with the Head of Finance, Joseph McLaughlin; Active Travel and safe routes to school, and the all-important, prom outfits.
Councillor Elaine Cowan said: “As Spokesperson for Children and Young People, I was very keen to meet with Lucy, David and Morgan our MSYP’s and Sarah and Caleb, Chair and Vice Chair of the Children and Young People’s Cabinet. Engaging directly with our young people is essential to ensure that we understand the issues that they face and that we are planning appropriately for their future. They are so enthusiastic and focused on engaging with the Council on issues that affect their peers and are so genuine in the efforts to drive positive change, it was very inspiring.
“I also really enjoyed just having a natter about their future aspirations, their plans for the summer and I even got an update on Ewan Carmichael, a former Chair of the Children and Young People’s Cabinet who is doing some pretty impressive work with the Scottish Government, occasionally liaising directly with the First Minister.
“I am looking forward to working with our young people in the months and years ahead, as I have a sneaking suspicion that they will all have an active role in the future direction of our country.”