International Youth Participation:
In December 1989 UN General Assembly adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Article 12 of this document tells us that young people have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously.
This policy has lead to the establishment of more Youth Participation Structures Across the Globe. Some of the models below were established after the adoption of the UNCRC and some were around before this.
The European Youth Forum is made up of representatives from National Youth Councils and Non Governmental Youth Organisations.
Its Head Quarters are in Belgium and it was established in 1996 promoting the voice of young people in Europe on a range of policy areas.
European Youth Parliament:
The European Youth Parliament is described as an educational programme which brings together young people from across Europe.
It was established in 1987 and is made up of and is a network of independent associations. It works 40 European countries and organises almost 600 events every year. This is a Youth Led model with young people organising events for their peers.
