Our story
When the Senedd was established in 1999, a dedicated Education and Youth Engagement Service was created, giving children and young people in Wales an opportunity to learn and engage in the work of Senedd.
Since then the Senedd’s Education and Youth Engagement team has worked with tens of thousands of children and young people across Wales, sharing information and engaging young people in the work of the Senedd.
Discover. Debate. Decide.
By now the original debating chamber used by Members of the Senedd (1999-2007) is home to the Senedd’s education centre, Siambr Hywel. Here, groups can learn about the Senedd’s work, debate issues and find out how they can get involved and contribute to decisions made by Members of the Senedd
The Education and Youth Engagement team also offer activities and opportunities to discuss the work of the Senedd and political issues in schools colleges as well as groups and clubs outside the education environment, across Wales.
Showing commitment – signing the Youth Engagement Charter
To make sure young people in Wales can express their opinions and are listened to, the Senedd signed up to a Youth Engagement Charter in 2014. The Charter sets out the Senedd’s commitment to make sure it listens to, respects and acts on what young people from across Wales say.
The Charter included a commitment to make it easier for young people to find out about the Senedd and what it does, to take part in debates and to find out how their contributions make a difference.
Making a change – a Youth Parliament for Wales
Since the Senedd made its commitment, many young people and professionals (backed by the Campaign for a Children and Young People’s Assembly for Wales) told Senedd Cymru they would like to establish a Welsh Youth Parliament.
Members of the Senedd agreed.
In October 2016, Members of the Senedd voted to set up a dedicated youth parliament for Wales
The Senedd consulted over 5,000 young people across Wales to help decide what the Welsh Youth Parliament’s aim, membership, and work should be.
The First Welsh Youth Parliament was elected in December 2018, and spent the next two years working with each other, Members of the Senedd, and young people across Wales to raise awareness of issues and call for change, in particular on the three issues the Members of the first Welsh Youth Parliament chose to prioritise:
The next chapter
The second Welsh Youth Parliament was elected in 2021. They met for the first time in January and in February 2022, the 60 new members presented their first speeches in the first full Plenary meeting. They were pretty inspiring. Check them out at: senedd.tv
The new WYP Members chose the following as their 3 key topics:
- The Climate and the Environment
- Education and the School Curriculum and
- Our Mental Health and Wellbeing
Who will be the third Welsh Youth Parliament?
The election campaign to find the third Welsh Youth Parliament is well underway.
If you are aged between 11-17 years old, why not apply to become a member for your local area? Applications are open until 30 September 2024.
Using your voice is important - make sure you are registered to vote by 20 November 2024.
What issues are important to you? Share your thoughts through our survey before 30 September 2024.
The election will take place online between 4 - 25 November 2024.