Explained ! By Myriam Roberts A BYC Campaigner and Youth Action Team Member

Equal Opportunities BYC is committed to equal opportunities in it meetings, services & as an employer and states that no person shall be discriminated against on the following grounds:- Race/ National or Ethic Origin Gender Sexual Orientation Physical, Sensory or Learning Disability HIV Status Political /Religious Beliefs Marital Status Responsibility for Dependants Social–Economic Background Migrant Status Trade Union Activity or Anything Else!!

What is the BYC? The British Youth Council (BYC) is led by young people for young people, aged 26 and under, across the UK. This year BYC is celebrating 60 years of empowering young people to have a say and be heard is shaping up to be a great year of getting active and campaigning, so now is the time to get involved!

The History of BYC The British Youth Council (BYC) is celebrating 60 years of empowering young people in the UK to have voice this year. That's right , that's a lot of young people, youth issues, music, fashions, governments and politics. The BYC’s path to become the National Youth Council of the UK was a rocky one!!

BYC’s Vision and Mission All young people across the UK will have a say and be heard. The British Youth Council (BYC) is led by young people, for young people, aged 26 and under, across the UK. We connect with our community of member organisations and network of Local Youth Councils, to empower all of us, wherever we’re from, to have a say and be heard. Our fresh take on training and volunteering and our lively campaigns – both local and global – inspire young people to have a positive impact and make their voices count.

What the BYC stands for ? BYC is an organisation of young people for young people across the UK. We empower other young people to get involved in the things that are important to us and to have a say in decisions that affect our lives. We believe that it doesn't matter who we are or where we come from, our voices count.

What the does the BYC do? We run training workshops, create volunteering opportunities and build inspiring campaigns which give everyone aged 26 and under a chance to make a positive contribution to society both in the UK and other countries. We also link up with our Member Organisations and network of Local Youth Councils across the UK to share ideas, skills and information so that all young people can play a role in decisions about the things that matter.

What does this mean for you ? Well, if you're aged 26 or under, we want you to have the chance to have your say and be heard. One way that you can make an impact is through campaigning, and by getting involved in our campaigns you can directly influence MPs and policy makers. You can tell us what you think we should be campaigning for through our Youth Manifesto. Another way that young people can get involved and make a real difference is through volunteering. Why not check out the different ways you can volunteer with BYC or the organisations we work with?you can volunteer

The Campaigns of the BYC

Equal National Minimum Wage for all? Current National Minimum Wage Rates 16-17Years £3.40 per hr Years £4.60 per hr 22 Years Plus £5.52 per hr The BYC believes in equality between adults and young people. Article 32 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child requires that governments should "recognise the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation.”

What does it mean for CYCLE? Perhaps you are already part of a national youth organisation such as the Scouts or the NUS, or a Local Youth Council, or belong to the youth segment of a wider organisation such as a trade union. We encourage these organisations to become our members so that together we can make the views of young people heard across the UK. Through these organisations we also provide training so that young people can work together more effectively and get our point across to the people that make decisions.our memberstraining

The Benefits of becoming a BYC member for CYCLE Your organisation can: Receive up to 50% discount on our range of training courses to develop young people’s skills Receive discounts on BYC publications Advertise your events and activities in our website and bulletins Have a vote at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elect Trustees – (only for full members). And new for 2008: Receive and contribute to our monthly membership ebulletin – updating you on all BYC activities on an international, national and local level Receive our quarterly policy briefings Access and contribute to an exclusive new BYC Members webpage Advance sight of BYC draft policy positions and publications Receive a new BYC members campaign pack.

The Benefits of becoming a BYC member for CYCLES members Young people aged 26 and under can: Join our five main campaigns: BYC Campaigns – ‘Respect?’, ‘Votes at 16’, ‘Equal National Minimum Wage’ and ‘Don’t Force Us, Inspire Us’ - linked to the Education and Skills Bill - and Climate Change Have a say online through our new ‘Rolling Youth Manifesto’ and influence BYC activities Become a BYC Campaigner (for young people aged over 16) – by joining our v-volunteering programme online Register online for our weekly bulletin ‘BYC BULLETin’, packed full of local, national and international opportunities and activities for young people Apply to become a BYC Trustee (for young people aged 18 to 25).

Useful Contacts BYC New Website On Facebook look for BYC David and all the campaign groups Vinvolved Abbey Heath Gary Brown Myriam Robert’s details