February 2025 was another strong month for youth participation in Cardiff, with 62 children and young people taking part in 12 structured opportunities—volunteering a total of 211 hours to influence decisions, represent their peers, and drive change across the city and beyond.
This month’s highlights included:
- A Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) General Meeting and Executive Meeting, where youth-led campaigns and policy areas continued to progress;
- A Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) meeting and dedicated MYP development day, supporting the growth of youth leadership in Cardiff;
- Meetings of the CYC Media Group and the Task and Finish Group, where young people explored strategic communications and focused policy areas;
- A number of Scrutiny Committee sessions, enabling young people to hold decision-makers to account and ensure the UNCRC is reflected in council decisions.
✨ Standing Up for Cardiff – and Wales – in the House of Commons
A proud moment for the city came as Cardiff’s two MYPs, Aoife and Ffion, travelled to London to attend a UK Youth Parliament Sitting in the House of Commons. Both asked questions in the Chamber—speaking up for young people in Cardiff—and Aoife served as the lead debate speaker for the whole of Wales, highlighting her strong role as a national youth voice.
You can read more about their inspiring visit here:
Cardiff Youth Leaders Represent Wales in the House of Commons – Cardiff Youth Council
“Opportunities like this show just how powerful youth voice can be—whether it’s contributing to scrutiny in Cardiff or standing up at the despatch box in Westminster,” said a spokesperson from Child Friendly Cardiff. “Aoife and Ffion represent the best of youth leadership—skilled, informed, and passionate about making change.”
Cardiff continues to uphold its status as the UK’s first UNICEF Child Friendly City, ensuring that participation isn’t a token gesture—but a central part of how the city is governed. Every hour volunteered and every voice raised in February is part of the city’s commitment to realising Article 12 of the UNCRC: the right of every child and young person to have a say in decisions that affect them.