THE speakers for the first international conference of the SNP’s youth wing has been announced – including presentations from across Europe.
The Young Scots for Independence (YSI) event, delivered in conjunction with The National, takes place at the SNP Club in Edinburgh’s New Town next weekend.
The event begins on Friday, April 14, with an ice-breaker session hosted by the YSI’s international officer Olaf Stando and its national convener Erin Mwembo.
Afterwards follows a panel discussing the possibilities and limits of the Scottish Parliament under devolution, featuring SNP policy development convenor Toni Giugliano and the award-winning Scottish folk singer Iona Fyfe.
Attendees will then take a tour of the Scottish Parliament before returning to the New Town for a talk by SNP MP Drew Hendry on the party’s approach to foreign affairs.
This is followed by a session featuring presentations from the youth wings of progressive European parties for a discussion titled: “International introductions: political situation across Europe, campaigning priorities and tactics.”
The following organisations will make presentations:
- DSU (Denmark)
- JUSOS (Germany)
- Plaid Ifanc (Wales)
- ÉCOLO J (Belgium)
- DWARS (Netherlands)
- Młodzi Razem (Poland)
- Jovent Republica (Catalonia)
- European Free Alliance (Europe)
Then there will be a panel discussion and live podcast recording for an episode of the Scotland’s Choice podcast on the role of small countries in tackling “the big crises by working together”, hosted by Drew Hendry and featuring Olaf Stando, SNP MSP Karen Adam, and Rasmus Emborg from the Social Democratic Youth of Denmark (DSU).
The second day kicks off at 3pm with a panel discussion featuring SNP MPs Alyn Smith and Anum Qaisar and SNP councillors Martha Mattos Coelho and Roza Salih. They will discuss the “damage of Brexit” and an independent Scotland’s role in the EU.
Then there will be a talk and question and answer session with broadcaster and activist Lesley Riddoch, who will discuss whether Scotland could be considered a Nordic country.
This is followed by a discussion on building a wellbeing economy feature featuring Business for Scotland chief Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, SNP MP Hannah Bardell and MSP Emma Harper.
Then editor of The National Laura Webster will host a panel discussing “The energy crisis and the green transition: how do we harness the rise in renewables and reach net zero?”
There will be a break of an hour and a half before the YSI quiz night, hosted by Hannah Bardell, to finish day two.
The last day of the conference begins with a 10am discussion between SNP MP Stewart McDonald and former MP Stephen Gethins – now an international relations professor at St Andrews University.
There will be a media call for the signing of the “Edinburgh Pledge” at Calton Hill, followed by an interactive workshop on the tactics progressive parties should employ to “respond to the rise in populism and far-right parties”.
After a lunch break, there will be another interactive workshop, featuring former Yes Scotland chief strategist Stephen Noon, on engaging young people in politics.
This is to be followed by a workshop on tackling the cost-of-living crisis and a final reflections and wrap-up session.
