As Autumn begins, it’s been five months since elected Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) James Lawson’s term of office ended. But despite new MYP’s being elected and James’s term in office coming to an end, his work hasn’t stopped! In fact, towards the end of his term, he’s been increasingly committed to supporting group members and representing local young people by offering his guidance, advising both staff and community decision makers, as well as rolling up his sleeves and volunteering in the community.
James’s passion has always focused on climate and the environment, but he’s also guided by his belief in young people’s voice and democracy. He’s impressed services, industry, colleagues and young people over his term. He’s facilitated workshops, spoken publicly and addressed hundreds of students, attended rallies, written to organisations urging them to rethink their climate priorities in their practice, dedicated himself to increasing young people’s voice and understanding, as well as helped staff improve their practice. Besides this James is an extremely kind, fun and respectful person, well liked by adults and young people alike.
He’s inspired so many young people to join Youth Parliament, helped run election workshops, spoken at Somerset’s Childrens Parliament Day, spoken at the House of Commons, inspired workers at Somerset’s Youth Alliance Network Conference, raised Somerset Youth Parliament’s profile and the issue of sustainable industry at Somerset’s Sustainable Futures event. He also has ongoing work with MP Gideon Amos around affordable, reliable and sustainable transport.
All of this while also doing his GCSEs and then attending college!
Here’s James’ report on his campaign Young People and the Fragile Environment, and as expected his work is ongoing.
Not just elected members
Did you know that Somerset Youth Parliament isn’t just it’s elected members? Any young person in Somerset aged 10-25 years can become a member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group.
For more information about becoming a member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group and to join, visit our Join Us page.
