Written question WQ100604

The Commission has not considered abolishing the Welsh Youth Parliament.

The purpose of the Welsh Youth Parliament (WYP) is to give young people across Wales a national platform to raise and champion the issues that matter to them, strengthen their engagement with democratic institutions and influence decision-makers.

During its first two terms, the WYP has successfully amplified the voices of young people from across Wales, enabled Members to identify priorities and consult their peers, and brought their recommendations directly to the Welsh Government and other decision-makers. It has supported young people’s democratic participation, helped advance the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Wales and built productive relationships with youth-sector organisations and other stakeholders.

An independent external evaluation is assessing the WYP’s work during its first two terms. It is examining the Parliament’s effectiveness, delivery, operating arrangements and impact, drawing on evidence from former Welsh Youth Parliament Members, youth-sector organisations and other stakeholders. Initial findings indicate widespread support for the WYP and its role. The Commission will use the evidence to identify how its work can be strengthened further and will publish and share the evaluation’s key findings with Members in due course.