Youth council - Definition and Overview

All over the world, youth councils, and similar structures, have been established over the last 30-50 years. These bodies are often consultative bodies for more representative political bodies. They can exist both at the local, regional and national levels. The extent to which they have been established at all levels varies, with Western and Northern Europe being at the forefront for the spread of these bodies. How they are composed varies, with some youth councils being elected by young people in the community, while others are handpicked by political officials or elected by youth NGOs.

The Council of Europe also has an Advisory Council, which is part of a co-decision structure on the Youth field in the Council of Europe, called the Joint Committee. At the present, the Norwegian Lasse Thue is chairperson of the Advisory Council.

In Israel, There is a Nationla Youth Council, whose members are elected from 7 Regional Youth Councils, which are elected from Municipal councils, formed from representatives of School Student Councils and Youth Movements.