Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris and Scottish music star Amy Macdonald were among the attendees at the official launch of the Scottish Youth Parliament’s manifesto consultation ahead of the Holyrood 2011 elections on Thursday (1 July).

The “Picture The Change” campaign aims to gather views from across the nation in order to lobby politicians and political parties about the pressing issues affecting young people. Young people from across Scotland can go online and decide to agree or disagree with a variety of statements on the  www.picturethechange.org web page. The most popular views will form the SYP manifesto for 2011, whilst those rejected by young people will be actively campaigned against by the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Speaking at the event at the Scottish Parliament, the SNP’s Mr Doris said: “I’m impressed at the lengths the Youth Parliament are planning to go to in seeking out the views of Scotland’s youth. They are aiming to engage around 15,000 young people in the process and will be travelling all over Scotland to festivals, freshers fairs, schools, colleges and many other events to consult with as many young people as possible.

“In this ever changing world it is extremely useful for MSPs to have first hand information about what most affects young people today. I have every confidence that the outcome of the Youth Parliament manifesto will influence decisions being taken by all the parties in the next parliamentary term.

“The Youth Parliament is genuinely engaging a large volume of young people in the political process. This effort is bound to have a positive effect on the way in which politics is viewed by young people. I would urge young people to check out the SYP website and take part in the manifesto consultation."

Singer Amy MacDonald said: “It is important that young people get their chance to influence Scotland’s politicians, and the creation of a Manifesto by the Scottish Youth Parliament provides that chance. I am happy to help, and urge young people to get involved and have their voice heard in this positive way.

Derek Couper MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament said: “The manifesto encapsulates everything that the SYP strives for. We aim to: understand the thoughts, opinions and desires of Young people; communicate these views to decision makers; give young people a strong and effective voice; develop a strong mandate for the SYP; and develop the skills and understanding of young people.

“We won’t simply be rocking up and asking young people to fill out a form, we have commissioned an 8ft x 5ft Living Room Picture Installation which young people can actually walk through the frame into the picture. They can then leave their mark on the white room e.g. Sign, tag, draw a picture or leave a message on any part of the living room, in doing so improving the picture which is in essence what our manifesto is all about – we need young peoples input to improve the picture – or in other words, their future.”