More than 120 young people from across the Highlands are gathering at Eden Court in Inverness today to launch the first official Highland Youth Parliament manifesto.
The annual Highland Youth Parliament conference takes place on Thursday 24 September, bringing together young people representing all 29 secondary school areas across the region.
Having celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, the parliament is now shifting its emphasis from identifying the issues affecting young people towards securing action on them.
At the heart of that change is its first official manifesto, Our Voices, Our Future, Our Highland.
The document has been developed throughout the year, with local youth groups, forums and partner organisations contributing the priorities they believe should be taken forward.
A “You Said, We Did” review has examined progress on issues raised previously, while members of the Highland Youth Parliament Executive have developed manifesto proposals covering a range of themes.
Those proposals will be debated throughout today’s conference before every young person attending is given the opportunity to vote on the priorities.
A ranked choice voting system will be used across two ballot cards, with the results counted and announced before the end of the day.
The process is intended to ensure the final manifesto reflects the priorities chosen by young people themselves rather than simply presenting a predetermined programme.
Jake MacCulloch, Chair of Highland Youth Parliament, said:
“It’s great knowing that young people are being listened to and that we can help shape decisions that affect our future.
“The HYP is an amazing opportunity for young people, and we want everyone who is taking part to go home encouraged that they can make a real difference in their communities.”
The conference will also support the Inverness and Highland bid to become UK City of Culture in 2029, with showcasing the wider region and young people’s pride in where they live running through much of the manifesto work.
Bid director Bryan Beattie will attend alongside youth culture ambassadors Lily Kelman and Michael Lewis.
Around 55 partner organisations will also be represented, including Inspiring Young Voices, Growing2gether, Youth Highland, High Life Highland, NatureScot and NHS Highland.
Local employers will have a presence through the Highland Employer Charter, which is sponsoring this year’s conference.
Outgoing Highland Youth Convener Leah McBain said:
“I’m really grateful for the experience I have had in the unique and special role of Highland Youth Convener.
“It has given me opportunities I never thought I’d have.
“I’ve met new people, learned new skills, and felt like my opinions, and the views of other young people, genuinely matter.”
There is also a message being sent much further into the future, with young people creating a Highland Youth Parliament time capsule which has been handed to the High Life Highland Archive Centre.
Inside are objects representing different Highland communities alongside messages written for generations of young people still to come.
The capsule will remain closed until 2050, when another generation will be able to discover what mattered to young Highlanders in 2026 and the future they hoped to create.
