Representatives of a group of 22 children, who are part of a national pilot project to establish a Scottish Children’s Parliament, held their own ‘Question Time’ when they gave a presentation to members of South Ayrshire Council’s Lifelong Learning Committee.

The Scottish Government is funding the Scottish Children’s Parliament and invited children from South Ayrshire to take part in the pilot project that is aimed at children who are 8 to 14 years of age. A group of 22 children have been selected predominantly from P6 classes across South Ayrshire, so that they can progress through the three year schedule of the project and provide continuity to any assessment of it.

The children form a representative group that reflects the diversity of socioeconomic background, ethnicity, faith, and additional support needs of Scotland’s children.

The Vice Convener of the Council’s Lifelong Learning Committee, Councillor Gerry Crawley said: “The presentation given by the children was excellent. They were very focused on what they wished to achieve, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about South Ayrshire Children’s Parliament.

“Children are our future, they are the adults of tomorrow, and this project is a great way for children to come together to talk about what matters to them, and to convey their ideas to those in society who are currently able to change things.

“Active citizenship is very important for children, and the Council encourages all young people to become involved in their local communities, and to learn about the decision making processes which take place in society.

“The Children’s Parliament provides a voice for children by utilising communication methods which appeal to them, giving them the chance to learn and also to let their views be known to adults.

The group will meet once a month and work on an agreed themes, then continue working in smaller groups discussing, researching, consulting other children, writing and carrying out creative activities and take their findings back to the next meeting. The children will act as ‘ambassadors’ for the Children’s Parliament, disseminating information to their peers, and are supported Council staff.

Having met twice before the group has already formed ideas about the Children’s Parliament, and what they would like to achieve through it. Drama workshops were used to help members to quickly get to know each other, to bond them as a team and to boost their confidence.

Over the next few months the group will be exploring various themes including:

• The local environment and their role in protecting it and improving it for the future.
• Developing an understanding of issues that affect health and happiness.
  The right to be free and respect the freedom of others as part of the United Nations Convention.

Every child in Scotland under the age of 14 will be able to become a member of the Children’s Parliament website, and have access to information on examples of good practice in the field of children’s active citizenship from around the United Kingdom and beyond.

The site has information, fun projects and interesting investigations that children can do on their own, with friends, in school or at youth clubs. Children can view what groups across Scotland are up to and e-mail their opinions to the group, learn about the work of the Commissioner for Children and Young People, and have the chance to vote on important issues.

A protected part of the website offers children the chance to communicate with other groups on an ongoing basis and share their ideas and expectations.

The group will see democracy in action when they visit the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to listen to the First Minister’s Question Time, and then tour the building.

In September 2005 the group of children from South Ayrshire will meet children from Midlothian and the Western Isles who are also involved in the pilot project when they all attend a residential meeting.

Vice Convener of the Lifelong Learning Committee, Councillor Gerry Crawley is pictured at the County Buildings with members of the Children’s Parliament and staff involved in the project.


March 2005