THE SEARCH IS ON in Moray for young ambassadors to play a major role in Scotland’s Year of Young People in 2018.
YOYP 2018 will seek to inspire Scotland through its young people aged from eight to 26, celebrating their achievements, valuing their contributions to communities and creating new opportunities for them to shine locally, nationally and globally.
Now the search for young ambassadors has been launched by Mark McDonald, Scottish Government minister for Childcare and Early Years.
YOYP 2018 is the next of the Scottish Government’s series of themed years and follows the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017.
Young Scot, Children in Scotland and Scottish Youth Parliament, are recruiting 200 young people throughout Scotland to become YOYP 2018 Ambassadors. Ambassadors will ensure that people and organisations in their communities know about what’s happening.
Together with other Ambassadors they will lead on projects and activities to create events and opportunities to celebrate young people.
Co-design with young people is fundamental to the success of the Year which will provide opportunities for young people to have their views heard and acted upon. Over 800 young people were previously involved in developing the aims, objectives and themes for YOYP 2018.
Young people have also been fully involved in designing the logo for the Year, which was unveiled this week.
Mark McDonald said: “The Year of Young People 2018 will be a great opportunity to showcase one of Scotland’s greatest strengths – our young people.
“It will be an opportunity to celebrate their amazing talents and achievements and we hope everyone will join in and embrace what is set to be an exciting Year. The philosophy of co-production and co-design with young people is central to the entire Year – we want to ensure YOYP is both for and by young people.”
EventScotland will be coordinating the celebratory events programme that will put young people at the heart of its development and delivery, creating new and valuable experiences for young Scots and the wider public.
It is inviting the events and festivals sector across Scotland to apply for support through its Year of Young People 2018 Open Event Fund. The Fund is designed to support proposals that will form an events programme created especially for 2018 that will provide opportunities for celebration, engagement and participation.
The celebration begins on 1 January 2018. Further information on what’s happening, to apply to be an Ambassador in Moray and be involved can be found on the new website.