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Holyrood Youth Parliament Competition winners
17/06/2004
Pupils from Ayr, Edinburgh and Haddington were today
congratulated by First Minister Jack McConnell as he
presented them with awards in the Scottish Parliament
Chamber.
Mr McConnell and Presiding Officer, George Reid,
congratulated the young winners in the first year of the
Holyrood model of the National Youth Parliament
Competition.
The competition, which has historically focused on
the Westminster model, allowed for the first time teams in
Scotland the choice to recreate the process of politics and
government in the Scottish Parliament - including the
opportunity to set up and video their own parliamentary
session.
Chosen by a panel of MSPs, Belmont Academy in Ayr was
named 'Best Team' and also picked up individual awards for
three of its pupils' in the roles of Minister, Opposition
Spokesperson, and Backbench MSP. Matthew MacPherson from
George Watson's College in Edinburgh was awarded the prize
for First Minister. The runner-up team was Knox Academy
from Haddington.
The First Minister said:
"It is very encouraging to see the increase in
confidence and enthusiasm of young people. The students who
took part in this competition have shown that they have
these qualities in abundance. I am pleased that so many
young Scots are taking an interest in politics. Young
people are the leaders of tomorrow, but they also have a
real chance to make a difference to themselves, their
communities and their country today."
The National Youth Parliament Competition is open to
teams of 11-18 year olds across the UK, whether as a school
or youth group entry, or independently.
The winners of National Youth Parliament Competition -
Holyrood 2003/4 are:
Best Team - Belmont Academy, Ayr
Runner-up Team - Knox Academy, Haddington
Best First Minister - Matthew MacPherson, George
Watson's College
Best Minister - Jason Skimming, Belmont Academy
Best Opposition Spokesperson - Lauren Barr, Belmont
Academy
Best Backbench MSP - Colin Mitchell, Belmont Academy
George Watson's debate was on anti-social behaviour.
Belmont Academy from Ayr, chose to debate a ban on smoking
in public places. A timely choice given the recent call for
a public consultation on this issue.
George Reid, Presiding Officer, said:
"For Scottish students now to be able to study their own
Parliament in this competition is a great step forward in
helping the youth of Scotland take responsibility in the
political arena."
Matthew MacPherson, 'Best First Minister' from George
Watson's College said:
"The mock Holyrood Parliament illustrated that being a
politician is a job like no other. Despite many people's
ignorance it is a job that really counts. People will say
they are not interested in politics but if they care about
their healthcare, their children's education and the
housing of their loved ones, then they do care about
politics and I enjoyed exploring and finding the connection
between the people and the Parliament that I am proud to
call my own."
'Best Minister' Jason Skimming (6th year), Belmont
Academy said:
"The competition showed us all why the Scottish
Parliament is so important."
Tony Breslin, Chief Executive of the Citizenship
Foundation said:
"It is hugely important that young people in Scotland
have the opportunity to learn about the different ways in
which they are represented - at both Holyrood and
Westminster. The winning students have set a high standard
in the first year of this new competition."
The
Citizenship
Foundation is an independent charity which aims to
empower individuals to engage in the wider community
through education about the law, democracy and society.