YOUNG - We are a youth organisation run 'by youth for youth' in order to provide a platform for young peoples voices to be heard. We access youth between the ages of 12 and 25.

BLACK - 'Black' is a political term used to cover a wide range of people with a common and shared experience as a visible minority. Although our group's leadership is black the voices we represent are from youth all over the UK, no matter what their gender, faith or ethnicity.

POSITIVE - We aim to create a positive perception of being black and of being youth by the way we behave and engage with others. Our thoughts words and actions create positive results and consequences.

ADVOCATES - We represent all young people and speak up on their behalf, especially in the criminal justice arena where we aim to empower others young and old alike. We aim to deliver the truth, educate the misinformed and help inform, youth of their rights.

The YBPA are mainly graduates from the Metropolitan Black Police Association's Leadership Programme. We were formed in August 2002. Since August 2002 the YBPA have acted as advisors to statutory bodies such as the Metropolitan Police Authority and are winners of the first Anne Frank Award for Moral Courage. We now have a large database of young people from all over the UK and the world with friends of the YBPA in Washington DC USA, Johannesburg South Africa, Kingston Jamaica and Ghana.

The YBPA aim:

• To become the largest youth organisation in the UK

• To continue to develop our international networks and "Think Globally - Act Locally"

• To continue to make positive changes in our community

• To continue to run seminars, workshops using music drama and dance both on a local and national level

• To continue to challenge the police and other statutory services in order to deliver a better service to the youth and the community.

• To continue to express our opinions on the issues that affect the young people

• To continue working in partnership with the Met BPA to ensure that our views and recommendations are fed through to the highest levels of police and government

Click here If you wish to find out more about the YBPA or joining as a member please contact the chair on chair@ybpa.com