written by Connor Clarke
As Members of Youth Parliament, it is always an honour to meet with Members of the UK Parliament (MPs) – and for the past few months it has been mine and Victor’s primary mission to meet with as many MPs and AMs as possible.
The advantages of this are not just personal (though the photo opportunities are great), they present an opportunity for the youth council to spread the word of their work to people in positions of influence.
We used these meetings as a vehicle to inform these legislators, who all represent Cardiff, of the work that CYC does but, more importantly, the priorities of children and young people in Cardiff.
As 2019’s top Make Your Mark priority, Protect the Environment came up a number of times during these meetings. Young people are invested in our future and it was good to see how these politicians are aware of this and reflect on it. In addition, topics such as Welcome Refugees, Crime and Mental Health were all key topics of conversation (this was especially beneficial as we were able to show off MindHub and the work of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Subgroup).
In addition to spreading the word of children and young people, we used these opportunities to expand our network of communication. Our ultimate aim is to get these influential people involved in the work of young people and raise their awareness about us – in a greater capacity than just meetings – which is a key component to that journey.
It was a great experience overall. My key moments were meeting Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford (AM for Cardiff West) and MP. Stephen Doughty, as well as choosing whether to dress smart casual, casual or smart!
Cyfarfod ASau
Ysgrifennwyd gan Connor Clarke
Fel Aelod o’r Senedd Ieuenctid, mae o hyd yn anrhydedd cyfarfod Aelodau o Senedd y DU (ASau) – a thros y misoedd nesaf, bu’n genhadaeth i mi a Victor i gyfarfod â chymaint o ASau ac ACau â phosibl.
Nid personol yn unig yw’r manteision (er bod y cyfle am ffotograff yn wych), maent yn gyfleoedd hefyd i’r cyngor ieuenctid ledu gwybodaeth am ei waith i bobl sydd mewn swyddi dylanwadol. Rydym yn defnyddio’r cyfarfodydd hyn fel cerbyd i roi gwybod i’r rhai sy’n gwneud deddfau, sydd oll yn cynrychioli Caerdydd, am waith y CIC, ond yn bwysicach am flaenoriaethau plant a phobl ifanc yng Nghaerdydd.
Fel prif flaenoriaeth Gwneud dy Farc 2019, cododd Diogelu’r Amgylchedd droeon yn ystod y cyfarfodydd hyn. Mae pobl ifanc yn ymrwymo yn ein dyfodol a da fu gweld sut mae’r gwleidyddion yn ymwybodol o hyn ac yn myfyrio arno.
Yn ogystal, roedd Croesawu Ffoaduriaid, Trosedd ac Iechyd Meddwl oll yn brif destunau trafod (roedd hyn o fantais o hefyd y bu modd i ni ddangos HybMeddwl a gwaith Is-grŵp Iechyd Meddwl a Lles).
Yn ogystal â lledu gwybodaeth am blant a phobl ifanc, defnyddiom y cyfleoedd hyn i ehangu ein rhwydwaith cyfathrebu. Ein nod yn y pen draw yw cael y bobl dylanwadol hyn i fod yn rhan o waith pobl ifanc a chodi eu hymwybyddiaeth amdanom ni – mewn capasiti ehangach na chyfarfodydd yn unig – sy’n rhan allweddol o’r daith honno. Roedd yn brofiad gwych ar y cyfan. Fy adegau allweddol oedd cyfarfod Prif Weinidog Cymru, Mark Drakeford (AC Gorllewin Caerdydd) ac AS. Stephen Doughty, yn ogystal â dewis gwisgo’n drwsiadus hamddenol, hamddenol neu’n drwsiadus.