Working together to develop the right solutions.
Young people will have a key role in supporting sustainable
populations in rural and island regions.
The Addressing Depopulation Action Plan, published last
week, commits the Scottish Government to working with Youth
Scotland and the Young Islanders Network (YIN) to develop ideas
to support and encourage young people to remain on, move to or
return to the islands.
Rural Affairs Secretary launched YIN in August 2022
to provide children and young people living in island
communities with a platform to make their voices heard,
contribute to the implementation of the Scottish Government’s
National Islands Plan and engage with each other on issues that
matter to them.
Ms Gougeon
said:
“If we are going to address population decline, we need to work
with and listen to young people living in rural areas and on
islands to develop the right solutions and help them fulfil their
ambitions. By working with the YIN, Youth Scotland and the
Scottish Rural and Island Youth Parliament we have a real chance
to remove the barriers that stop young people from enjoying all
the benefits that rural and island life bring – unique employment
opportunities, a strong sense of community and access to the best
of Scotland’s local produce and natural assets.
“We are going to help community councils to make better use of
social media reach out to more people, and particularly younger
generations, to be sure that have a say in improving local
services. Our independent Expert Advisory Group on Migration and
Population will also take forward research looking at
population trends, migration and mobility for young people in
island and rural communities, with a particular focus on
Gaelic-speaking communities.”
Andy Tait, Kaydence Drayak and Bryan Hauxwell from the Young
Islanders Network said:
"The Young Islanders Network and young people in our communities,
welcome the valuable opportunity to support and shape delivery of
the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan by keeping the focus on
what is important to us. It is important for us to
share our experience's, local knowledge and needs now and for the
future. Such as reliable transport, affordable housing, access to
healthcare and sustainable jobs with opportunities for careers.
“For us to be effective in doing this, we need to be involved in
our local communities at all levels and using this opportunity to
understand the needs of young islanders. Working alongside other
young people from across rural communities to learn and share
will help to shape this.
“It is important that decisions about our lives are made now as
part of a two-way conversation and not on our behalf. For
us to be able to thrive, we need this to happen now, and not
later when many of us may have had to leave our islands."
Background
Addressing Depopulation
Action Plan
