Governance of Britain

The Governance of Britain Green Paper, published in July 2007, highlighted the need for Government to engage with young people and encourage them to play an active part in British society.

The Youth Citizenship Commission was set up to examine ways of developing young people’s understanding of citizenship and increase their participation in politics.

On 20 October 2008 the Youth Citizenship Commission launched a consultation (pdf document 266kb) on the voting age. The consultation will run from 20 October 2008 to 20 January 2009. The YCC simultaneously launched a website.

On 29 February 2008 Professor Jonathon Tonge of Liverpool University was appointed chair of the Commission. The Commission is made up of 11 other commissioners, including 3 young people and 8 individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds.

Terms of Reference

The Commission will focus on young people aged 11-19 and will:

• Examine what citizenship means to young people
• Consider how to increase young people’s participation in politics; the development of citizenship amongst disadvantaged groups; how active citizenship can be promoted through volunteering and community engagement; and how the political system can reflect the communication preferences of young people.
• Lead a consultation with young people on whether the voting age should be lowered to 16.

The Commission will report to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Justice, and the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in spring 2009.

Views can be sent to the YCC mailbox – ycc@justice.gsi.gov.uk