The role of youth parliaments in fostering peaceful societies – Hamish’s evidence to the UN Human Rights Council

Date: 15th December 2025
Category: Respect for the views of the child, Policies & procedures

Hamish Nott, a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP), represented the organisation at the UN Human Rights Council’s Biennial Panel on Youth and Human Rights in Geneva, focusing on how youth parliaments help foster peaceful societies.

Nott highlighted the role of national youth platforms like SYP in promoting human rights and meaningful decision-making for young people, showcasing achievements such as Scotland’s free under-22 bus travel and strengthened links with government.

He urged international stakeholders to embed youth voice organisations into national structures and to ensure inclusion of marginalised young people in policy discussions. The panel brought together young leaders and UN officials to emphasise youth as active agents of peace and human rights, not just future leaders, calling for genuine participation in decisions affecting their futures.

Read the full blog post here

Watch Hamish Nott’s full speech here

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The role of youth parliaments in fostering peaceful societies – Hamish’s evidence to the UN Human Rights Council