Young people across the UK can now participate in the UK Youth Parliament’s Make Your Mark ballot, the largest survey of young people in Europe. The month-long campaign will see volunteers and Members of Youth Parliament canvasing for the views of young people.
The annual ballot, which has taken place since 2011, gives young people aged 11-18 the chance to select one issue they think affects them and their peers most. The ballot includes issues such as mental health and wellbeing, responding to the climate emergency, and ending child poverty. This year young people will be able to vote in person and online unlike the previous ballot which was disrupted due to the outbreak of Coronavirus. UK Youth Parliament is working with volunteers, schools, and local authorities to deliver the campaign to as many young people as possible.
Safaa Shreef, a member of the steering group that coordinates UK Youth Parliament said: “Thousands of young people across every nation of the UK now have the chance to tell us what is most important to them.
“This is a unique opportunity for decision-makers at every level of government to hear the concerns of young people and take action. Young people have strong feelings about the kind of society they wish to live in and this campaign is just one example of the passion young people have for their communities.”
Make Your Mark is coordinated by the British Youth Council with the support of UK Parliament and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The campaign, which is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of young people, is jointly funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, BBC Children in Need, and the National Lottery Community Fund.
As part of this year’s efforts, the British Youth Council will also work with the Centre for Youth Impact and its other partners to ensure more meaningful youth voice and power work moving forward, strengthening UK Youth Parliament’s collective vision for young people and society.
Find out more information about the consultation.
Take part in the consultation now.