British Youth Council

British Youth Council is a youth-led organization that aims to empower young people to have a voice and influence decisions that affect their lives, working closely with National Council for Voluntary Youth Services, The Prince's Trust, and YMCA England. The organization has a long history of campaigning on issues such as youth unemployment, mental health, and climate change, often in partnership with UNICEF UK, Action for Children, and Barnardo's. As a member of the European Youth Forum, the British Youth Council works to promote the interests of young people in the United Kingdom and across Europe, collaborating with organizations like Save the Children UK and The Children's Society. The organization's work is also informed by research from institutions like the University of Oxford, London School of Economics, and University of Cambridge.

● History

The British Youth Council was established in 1948, following the Second World War, with the aim of promoting international understanding and cooperation among young people, inspired by the work of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Malala Yousafzai. The organization has a rich history of campaigning on issues that affect young people, from youth employment to human rights, often in partnership with organizations like Amnesty International UK, Oxfam GB, and Christian Aid. In the 1960s, the British Youth Council played a key role in the youth movement, working alongside Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and The Beatles to promote social change and activism, inspired by events like the Woodstock Music & Art Fair and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The organization has also been influenced by the work of Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harvey Milk, and has collaborated with organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Human Rights Campaign.

● Structure

The British Youth Council is a charity registered in England and Wales, with a board of trustees that includes young people and experienced professionals, such as David Cameron, Gordon Brown, and Tony Blair. The organization is headquartered in London and has a network of regional offices across the United Kingdom, working closely with organizations like the Scottish Youth Parliament, Welsh Youth Parliament, and Northern Ireland Youth Forum. The British Youth Council is also a member of the International Youth Federation, working with organizations like the United Nations, European Union, and Commonwealth of Nations to promote the interests of young people globally, inspired by the work of Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, and António Guterres.

● Activities

The British Youth Council undertakes a range of activities to promote the interests of young people, including lobbying and campaigning on issues like youth unemployment, mental health, and climate change, often in partnership with organizations like Greenpeace UK, Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and WWF-UK. The organization also provides training and support for young people to develop their skills and confidence, working with organizations like the National Citizen Service, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and Uniformed Youth Organisations. The British Youth Council has also been involved in a number of high-profile campaigns, including the Make Your Mark ballot, which gives young people a say in the issues that affect their lives, inspired by the work of Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, and Justin Trudeau.

● Membership

The British Youth Council has a diverse membership of over 200 organizations, including youth clubs, community groups, and charities, such as Barnardo's, The Children's Society, and Action for Children. The organization also has a network of individual members, including young people and professionals who work with young people, such as teachers, youth workers, and social workers, inspired by the work of Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking. Members of the British Youth Council have access to a range of benefits, including training and support, as well as the opportunity to influence the organization's policy and direction, working closely with organizations like the National Union of Students, University and College Union, and Association of Teachers and Lecturers.

● Policy

The British Youth Council has a range of policies that reflect the interests and concerns of young people, including policies on youth employment, education, and health, often developed in partnership with organizations like the Royal College of Nursing, British Medical Association, and National Health Service. The organization also has policies on human rights and social justice, and works to promote the rights and interests of marginalized and disadvantaged groups, such as LGBTQ+ young people and young people with disabilities, inspired by the work of Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson, and Stonewall UK. The British Youth Council's policy is informed by research and evidence, and is developed in consultation with its members and partners, including organizations like the Institute for Public Policy Research, Centre for Economic Performance, and Joseph Rowntree Foundation.