The Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission, Councillor Gulay Icoz, and the Speaker of Hackney, Councillor Sally Mulready, hosted a reception for members of Hackney Youth Parliament at the end of March.

The event was a good opportunity for Hackney Youth Parliament representatives and councillors from the Scrutiny Commission to meet and talk to each other about their roles and current projects. Hackney Youth Parliament members also met with the Council’s cabinet members at the reception and spoke to them about their current responsibilities and aspirations.

The Chair of Hackney Youth Parliament, Junior Bubi, and the Vice Chair, Rebecca Samuel, introduced their latest campaigns and displayed the Youth Empowerment Champion Award, which the Youth Parliament was awarded at the CityZEN Awards 2011, in recognition of their youth engagement initiatives.

The Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission, Councillor Gulay Icoz said “It is important that the Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission maintains its positive links with Hackney Youth Parliament and listens to the views of young people in the borough.

"This event gave us the chance to hear more about the important campaigns of the Youth Parliament, including exam stress and communications between the police and young people. It was inspiring to hear how committed members of Hackney Youth Parliament are to helping and improving the lives of other young people in the borough, and our commission is looking forward to working closely with them on future projects.”

The Chair of Hackney Youth Parliament, Junior Bubi, said “It is crucial that local politicians listen to the views of young people so we welcome this opportunity to strengthen ties between the elected Hackney Youth Parliament, and the council’s scrutiny councillors.”