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British Youth Council (BYC)
Logo:
Established:	1948
Trustees:	Emily Beardsmore (Chair) Elle Dodd (Vice Chair) Tim Coates (Vice Chair) Victoria Dunne (Treasurer) James Slocombe Tom Le Fevure Rajay Naik Kristopher McGhee Derek Oakley Ian Adderley Alex Delaney Rocky Lorusso Liam Preston
Chief Executive:	James Cathcart
Address:	British Youth Council The Mezzanine 2 Downstream Building 1 London Bridge London SE1 9BG UK
Telephone:	0845 458 1489
Fax:	0845 458 1847
Website:	www.byc.org.uk
E-Mail:	mail@byc.org.uk
International affiliation:	European Youth Forum Commonwealth Youth Programme

The British Youth Council (BYC) is a UK charity working to empower young people to have a say and be heard. Run by young people for young people, BYC exists to represent the views of young people to government and decision-makers at a local, national, European and international level; and to promote the increased participation of young people in society and public life.

1. History

Beginnings

The British Youth Council was established by the Foreign Office of the British Government in preparation for the first World Assembly of Youth. Its original aim was to unite young people in Britain against the forces of communism amid tense international relations just after World War 2.

The Sixties

In 1963, BYC gained independence from the British Government and became a UK charity championing the opinions of young people.

From the late 1960s, BYC expanded its work in connecting youth councils across the UK – a move championed by then staff member John Denham, now Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The Seventies

In 1971, BYC organised the annual World Assembly of Youth event in Manchester where Prime Minister Edward Heath was the keynote speaker.

In the late 1970s, BYC elected David Hunt as chair (now member of the House of Lords) as well as Janet Paraskeva (now First Civil Service Commissioner) and Peter Mandelson.

As its reputation grew, BYC published the influential "Youth Unemployment: Cause and Cures" report, taking it to Prime Minister Jim Callaghan in Downing Street to discuss the issue of youth unemployment. They also attended the controversial 11th World Festival on Youth in Cuba where motions were passed on the human rights records of the USSR and USA. Delegates include Trevor Phillips, Paul Boateng and Charles Clarke MP.

The Eighties

The 1980s saw BYC hit increasingly difficult times. In 1987 BYC Scotland closed due to funding cuts by the Government at the time. In this period BYC also had its founding Foreign Office grant withdrawn due to the changes in international relations. However, BYC marched on and continued to do outstanding work continuing to promote local youth councils and was involved in the UK's signing of the historic UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Nineties

In the 1990s BYC worked with partners to start up and run campaigns to get young people registered to vote and on issues of young people's employment. BYC also led the field in youth policy and research, producing a number of influential journals and publications.

Notable publications during this decade include ‘Never Had it So Good: The Truth about being young in nineties Britain’ (1996), and the 1998 report ‘State of the Young Nation’, which asked 1000 young people about their participation in society and their understanding of political processes.

Continuing increase in BYC’s research, consultation and policy work culminated in 2000 with the biggest consultation with young people that the Government had ever commissioned on areas such as education, employment and young people having their say. The conclusion, 'Listening to the Unheard', led the formulation of the European White Paper on Youth which BYC co-ordinated as the UK members of the European Youth Forum.

Today

Today BYC continues to build on its past. The organisation celebrated its 60th birthday in 2008 by engaging ten young people to make a documentary film about British youth culture over the last 60 years; in particular, how young people have been able to have an impact on society and democracy.^[1]

2. Mission

According to its Annual Review 2008/09: “The BYC is led by young people, for young people aged 25 and under across the UK. We connect with our community of member organisations and network of Local Youth Councils to empower all young people, wherever they’re from, to have a say and be heard. Our take on training and volunteering and our powerful campaigns, both local and global, inspire young people to have a positive impact and make their voices count”^[2]

Vision

BYC’s vision is that all young people are respected, and able to influence and inform decisions which affect their lives or upon which they have strong opinions.^[3]

Values

BYC’s four values are recognition, equality, diversity and participation.^[4]

3. Governance

BYC is led by young people for young people. Its Board of Trustees is made up of 12 young people aged 16-25. These annually-elected trustees employ 14 staff and 10 full-time volunteers, and manage a body of young campaigners and media spokespeople.

BYC is a registered charity,^[5] and recently registered as a company limited by guaranteeCite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

References

^ 'Some Truth About Youth' documentary (2008), British Youth Council
^ 'Making Waves', The British Youth Council Annual Review 2008/09, p.2
^ 'Making Waves', The British Youth Council Annual Review 2008/09, p.2
^ 'Making Waves', The British Youth Council Annual Review 2008/09, p.2
^ Registered Charity no. 1123224. See also: Charity Commission webpage

External links

[1] 'Some Truth About Youth' documentary (2008), British Youth Council

[2] 'Making Waves', The British Youth Council Annual Review 2008/09, p.2

[3] 'Making Waves', The British Youth Council Annual Review 2008/09, p.2

[4] 'Making Waves', The British Youth Council Annual Review 2008/09, p.2

[5] Registered Charity no. 1123224. See also: Charity Commission webpage

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 ===The Seventies===
-In 1971, BYC organised the annual Word Assembly of Youth event in Manchester where the Prime Minister, Edward Heath, was the key note speaker.
+In 1971, BYC organised the annual World Assembly of Youth event in Manchester where Prime Minister [[Edward Heath]] was the keynote speaker.
-In the late 1970s, BYC elected David Hunt as chair (now member of the House of Lords) as well as Janet Paraskeva (now First Civil Service Commissioner) and Peter Mandelson (European Trade Commissioner).
+In the late 1970s, BYC elected David Hunt as chair (now member of the House of Lords) as well as [[Janet Paraskeva]] (now First Civil Service Commissioner) and [[Peter Mandelson]].
-As its reputation grew, BYC published the influential "Youth Unemployment: Cause and Cures" report, taking it to Prime Minister Jim Callaghan in Downing Street to discuss the issue of youth unemployment. They also attended the controversial 11th World Festival on Youth in Cuba where motions were passed on the human rights records of the USSR and USA. Delegates include Trevor Phillips, Paul Boateng, and Charles Clarke MP.
+As its reputation grew, BYC published the influential "Youth Unemployment: Cause and Cures" report, taking it to Prime Minister [[James Callaghan|Jim Callaghan]] in Downing Street to discuss the issue of youth unemployment. They also attended the controversial 11th World Festival on Youth in Cuba where motions were passed on the human rights records of the USSR and USA. Delegates include [[Trevor Phillips]], [[Paul Boateng]] and [[Charles Clarke|Charles Clarke MP]].
 ===The Eighties===
-The 1980s saw BYC hit increasingly difficult times. In 1987 BYC Scotland closed due to funding cuts by the Government at the time. In this period BYC also had its founding Foreign Office grant withdrawn due to the changes in international relations. However, BYC marched on and continued to do outstanding work continuing to promote local youth councils and was involved in the UK's signing of the historic UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
+The 1980s saw BYC hit increasingly difficult times. In 1987 BYC Scotland closed due to funding cuts by the Government at the time. In this period BYC also had its founding Foreign Office grant withdrawn due to the changes in international relations. However, BYC marched on and continued to do outstanding work continuing to promote local youth councils and was involved in the UK's signing of the historic UN [[Convention on the Rights of the Child]].
 ===The Nineties===
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 Notable publications during this decade include ‘Never Had it So Good: The Truth about being young in nineties Britain’ (1996), and the 1998 report  ‘State of the Young Nation’, which asked 1000 young people about their participation in society and their understanding of political processes.
-Continuing increase in BYC’s research, consultation and policy work culminated in 2000 with the biggest consultation with young people that the Government had ever commissioned on areas such as education, employment and young people having their say. The conclusion, 'Listening to the Unheard', led the formulation of the European White Paper on Youth which BYC co-ordinated as the UK members of the European Youth Forum.
+Continuing increase in BYC’s research, consultation and policy work culminated in 2000 with the biggest consultation with young people that the Government had ever commissioned on areas such as education, employment and young people having their say. The conclusion, 'Listening to the Unheard', led the formulation of the European White Paper on Youth which BYC co-ordinated as the UK members of the [[European Youth Forum]].
 ===Today===
-Today BYC continues to build on its past. The organisation celebrated its 60th birthday in 2008 by engaging ten young people to make a documentary film about British youth culture over the last 60 years; in particular, how young people have been able to have an impact on society and democracy. * (REF documentary)
+Today BYC continues to build on its past. The organisation celebrated its 60th birthday in 2008 by engaging ten young people to make a documentary film about British youth culture over the last 60 years; in particular, how young people have been able to have an impact on society and democracy.<ref>'Some Truth About Youth' documentary (2008), British Youth Council</ref>
 ==2. Mission==
-According to its Annual Review 2008/09: “The BYC is led by young people, for young people aged 25 and under across the UK. We connect with our community of member organisations and network of Local Youth Councils to empower all young people, wherever they’re from, to have a say and be heard. Our take on training and volunteering and our powerful campaigns, both local and global, inspire young people to have a positive impact and make their voices count” (REF annual review)
+According to its Annual Review 2008/09: “The BYC is led by young people, for young people aged 25 and under across the UK. We connect with our community of member organisations and network of Local Youth Councils to empower all young people, wherever they’re from, to have a say and be heard. Our take on training and volunteering and our powerful campaigns, both local and global, inspire young people to have a positive impact and make their voices count”<ref>'Making Waves', The British Youth Council Annual Review 2008/09, p.2</ref>
 ===Vision===
-BYC’s vision is that all young people are respected, and able to influence and inform decisions which affect their lives or upon which they have strong opinions.
+BYC’s vision is that all young people are respected, and able to influence and inform decisions which affect their lives or upon which they have strong opinions.<ref>'Making Waves', The British Youth Council Annual Review 2008/09, p.2</ref>
 ===Values===
-BYC’s four values are recognition, equality, diversity and participation.
+BYC’s four values are recognition, equality, diversity and participation.<ref>'Making Waves', The British Youth Council Annual Review 2008/09, p.2</ref>
 ==3. Governance==
-BYC is led by young people for young people. Its Board of Trustees is made up of 13 young people aged 16-25. These annually-elected trustees employ 14 staff and 10 full-time volunteers, and manage a body of young campaigners and media spokespeople.
+BYC is led by young people for young people. Its Board of Trustees is made up of 12 young people aged 16-25. These annually-elected trustees employ 14 staff and 10 full-time volunteers, and manage a body of young campaigners and media spokespeople.
-BYC is a registered charity, (REF: Charity Commission page) and recently registered as a company limited by guarantee, in order to enable the appointment of directors under 18 years old.
+BYC is a registered charity,<ref>Registered Charity no. 1123224. See also: [http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/ShowCharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityFramework.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=1123224&SubsidiaryNumber=0 Charity Commission webpage]</ref> and recently registered as a company limited by guarantee<ref>Company no. 6226595. See also: [http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/56c7fbdb8662ad1d94df22478845831a/compdetails Companies House], in order to enable the appointment of directors under 18 years old.
 ==4. Membership==
@@ Line 117: / Line 117: @@
 ===Training===
-BYC provides a wide range of training courses to meet the needs of young people; enabling them to make a difference.
+BYC provides a range of training courses intended to empower young people to make a difference. Many of these are funded under schemes like [http://www.byc.org.uk/view.php?parent_id=228&content_id=242 Youth at the Table].
 ===International===
 Since it began, BYC has been involved in international work which aims to:
 # Develop awareness of international issues and action
-# Represent the UK at international events
+# Represent the UK at international events<ref>[http://www.byc.org.uk/view.php?parent_id=155&content_id=217 BYC International]</ref>
-==6. References==
+==References==
 <references/>
+==Related Articles==
+*[[National Council for Voluntary Youth Services]]
+*[[UK Youth Parliament]]
+*[[National Children's Bureau]]
+*[[The Prince’s Trust]]
+*[[Children’s Commissioner for England]]
+*[[The National Youth Agency]]
+*[[Citizenship Foundation]]
+*[[Children’s Rights Alliance for England]]
 ==External links==
 *[http://www.byc.org.uk/ BYC Official Website]
 *[http://www.ncvys.org.uk The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services]
+*[http://youthspeakbyc.blogspot.com/ YOUth Speak - BYC vTalentYear Blog]
-{{Expand|date=November 2008}}
+{{Expand|date=November 2009}}
 [[Category:Youth organisations based in the United Kingdom]]