World Assembly of Youth (WAY)
Website: http://www.way.org.my/
Category: Youth
Year of Foundation: 1948
Location of Foundation: London, UK
Location of Headquarters: Melaka, Malaysia
Brief Description: The World Assembly of Youth describes itself as 'the international coordinating body of national youth councils and organisations.' (Source: www.way.org.my; accessed 20 April 2010)
Founding Rationales:
According to the 'Charter Accepted in Principle' by the International Youth Conference held in London in August 1948 'The last few years have seen in various countries the growth of consultative youth committees, whose purpose has been, and remains, to favour a free co-operation between existing youth organisations by providing a common ground on which they can seek to share their experience. It has been thought worth while to attempt such co-operation on an international scale. ... The purpose of this Assembly shall be:- (i) To foster international understanding by practical co-operative work between its members. (ii) To strive towards an adequate serving of the needs of Youth throughout the World. (iii) To enable Youth itself to take an active part in the field of international co-operation. (iv) To maintain relations with international voluntary and inter-governmental organisations.'
Source: 'Work and Leisure. Youth's Opportunities and Responsibilities. International Youth Conference, London, 12th-19th August, 1948, Church House, Westminster. Report.' (London: National Council of Social Service, 1949), pp. 80-81.
Evolution of Membership (Countries with National Councils):
Source: YIO