Daniel Johnson was presented with the Youth Advocacy Award, which recognises MSPs who are raising issues relating to young people in the Parliament or in the media.
Mr Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, is one of the first members of Scottish Parliament to be presented with the award since its launch in February.
The young people were also presented with Scout badges during the evening including the meteorologist, entertainer and collector badges.
One of the young people made their Scout promise using his switch – which he activated to play a recording of his brother’s voice.
Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, said:
“I am thrilled to be one of the first politicians to receive the Youth Advocacy Award. Scout groups across Scotland do fantastic work every week.
“Leaders and other volunteers give up their time unselfishly to help young people realise their full potential, and provide them with the skills they need to succeed in life.
“Achieving this award was good fun – I met several Scout groups in my constituency, attended part of a camp, and even tried my hand at archery!”
Tudor Westwood, Chair of the National Youth Advisory Committee for Scouts Scotland said: “The exciting thing is that this badge encourages politicians to see and engage with, first-hand, the extraordinary work Scouts Scotland does every single day in Scotland.
“Our Scouts are active citizens and I believe this advocacy award will help to inspire more of our young people to engage with democracy and work towards social change.”
The Youth Advocacy Award can be earned by MSPs, in the same way as Scouts earn their badges, by completing a number of actions.
The award is also designed to give politicians a greater insight into the work that Scouts Scotland is undertaking week in week out in Scotland. As the largest volunteer-led mixed youth movement in Scotland, Scouts Scotland support nearly 40,000 young people to enjoy new adventures, experience the outdoors, interact with others and gain confidence.
(Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY)
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