Youths from every local authority meet up with government and third sector workers to set agenda

A group of under 18s from all over Scotland are meeting in Edinburgh today (Monday) to plan an unprecedented national summit.

Around 90 young people along with 50 adults who work in education, youth work and the third sector are meeting to begin making arrangements for the Children and Young People’s Summit announced by education secretary Michael Russell in September at the Scottish Learning Festival.

The summit aims to improve services for young people by involving them in important policy decisions that affect them.

Eleven to eighteen-year-olds from every local authority in Scotland have been invited to take part in the planning process, including preparing a programme of events, with the intention of holding the summit in the New Year.

“We’ve seen very clearly this year that – contrary to myth – our young people are extremely keen to help shape our future as a society,” she said.

“This is the beginning of a major effort to make sure they can do just that.”

Although the Scottish Government is convene the summit, today’s event is to ensure it is co-produced with children and young people.

Schools minister Dr Alasdair Allan added: “We want this summit to bring an added voice to this conversation – that of our children and young people themselves.

“Scotland’s young people are bright, hard-working and committed to their communities. I can think of few people better placed to help make Scotland the best place to grow up.”