The countdown is underway to the establishment of a new Welsh Youth Parliament to reflect and represent the voices and opinions of young people in Wales.
During Plenary at the Senedd on Wednesday, 23 May, the Llywydd of the National Assembly for Wales, Elin Jones AM, announced the voter registration drive for the inaugural election will start on Thursday, 31 May.
There will be 60 Welsh Youth Parliament Members. 40 of which will be elected via First Past the Post through an electronic voting system in each of the 40 electoral constituencies in Wales. 20 will be returned by partner organisations to ensure the representation of diverse groups of young people.
All young people in Wales, between the ages of 11 and up to 18, can take part by registering to vote in the online election which will be over three weeks in November 2018.
The very first meeting of the Welsh Youth Parliament will be held in February 2019.
Elin Jones AM said:
“As a nation committed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, implementing such an ambitious project is a significant development for Wales and it is our privilege as a National Parliament to deliver this commitment.
“Article 12 of that Convention of the Rights of the Child sets out the right of children and young people to express an opinion and to have that opinion taken into account when decisions are being made on any matter that affects them.
“In the context of our work as a legislature, establishing the Youth Parliament ensures that we are discharging out duties to the voters of today and tomorrow - to each and every citizen in Wales – all of whom have a stake in our democracy.”
The National Assembly Commission agreed to establish a youth parliament in September 2017 following an extensive consultation with more than 5,000 young people around Wales.
The National Assembly has also worked closely with a steering group of youth organisations providing expert guidance and, critically, views from the point of view of young people which contributed to the shaping of the new Welsh Youth Parliament.
The formal launch of the voter registration drive will take place at the Urdd Eisteddfod at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd where more details of how to register as a candidate or as a partner organisation will be released.
The Assembly’s youth outreach and education team will hold a series of workshops, school and colleges visits, train the trainer sessions and provide resources for organisations to hold their own events. More information will be available on the Welsh Youth Parliament website.