This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Youth Portal opens for business
16/05/2002
Scotland's first national interactive youth website, designed by young people for young people, was launched by the First Minister today.
The £1.4 million project has been predominantly supported by the Executive as part of the OpenScotland.gov initiative, and is being run by Young Scot, the national youth charity.
With 17 information channels, the portal offers high-quality information and interactive online facilities, as well as the opportunity for visitors to the portal to engage in on-line voting and on-line consultation.
Speaking at the launch in Edinburgh, First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"The youth information portal is an excellent concept, with real, practical benefits for young people. The information it contains can empower young people to make better, informed decisions and choices about their life, whether it is careers, health issues or topical matters of interest to them.
"The portal is not about young people passively sitting in front of a computer screen but active participation, where like-minded individuals are encouraged to come together and interact. The portal is inclusive - it can be personalised to suit the needs, interests and location for people aged 12-26.
"I am delighted to support this project and I am confident that the combination of knowledge, diversity and fun it offers will prove popular with young people throughout Scotland."
Information on the portal is constantly kept up-to-date by Young Scot and teams of young people. The safety of the Portal user is safeguarded at all times and at no point in the site is any young person identifiable to other users.