Be seen. Be heard

OUR WORLD IS HOME TO THE LARGEST GENERATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN HISTORY. BUT WHAT KIND OF WORLD ARE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE GOING TO INHERIT?

Read on to discover why we're partnering with the British Youth Council to ensure young people are included in democracy.

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FOR OUR FUTURES’ SAKE. SIGN FOR CHANGE.​

The world needs us. All of us. Together.

Up against climate change, growing inequality, economic uncertainty and more. For our future’s sake, we have to be open to new ways of thinking and rewrite the rules if we are to find solutions.​

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented energy, creativity and optimism. Young people possess all of this and more. Protesting, questioning, petitioning, voting and showing up in every way they can. ​

Young people are missing from public life, they need to be seen and be heard. That's why we are partnering with The British Youth Council to call upon the UK government to lower the voting age to 16 for all UK elections.

For all our futures’ sake we have to rewrite the rules..​

If you agree that young people should have a say in decisions that affect them, sign the petition below.

Sign our petition! Lower the voting age to 16 for all elections

The Body Shop and the British Youth Council are calling on the UK Government to equalise voting rights for all 16 and 17 year olds across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We call for: 1. Voting age across all nations be equalised, so all 16 and 17 year olds can vote in their local elections. 2. The voting age to be lowered to 16 in all national elections and referenda. 3. The Government to introduce measures to break down barriers which prevent civic engagement, voter registration and political education, in line with The Body Shop and British Youth Council’s manifesto, a New Era to Democracy: a Pathway to Votes at 16

7638 people have signed this petition!

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I signed the #VotesAt16 petition! For all our future’s sake, youth voices need to be seen and heard to unlock the change the world needs. Sign the petition. #Votesat16 #BeSeenBeHeard
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Votes at 16

NEW ERA FOR DEMOCRACY MANIFESTO

Better political education, lowering the voting age to 16, and relaxed voter ID rules are the three biggest changes that young people* want to help them to vote.​

In partnership with the British Youth Council we have created a manifesto, A New Era for Democracy: a Pathway to Votes at 16, which __ shares observations on the barriers and opportunities that young people face when it comes to political participation. It also outlines policy recommendations for all parties to adopt by the next General Election.​

*The recommendations are based on consultations with 16–18-year-olds, as well as a survey of 1,000 18–25-year-olds

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71% stat image

71% of young people don’t feel that political parties and candidates speak directly to young people enough in the lead-up to elections.

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76% statistic

76% believe that the voting age and eligibility should be the same for local elections across the UK – which is not currently the case.

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49% Statistic

49% of young people in the UK believe that there aren’t enough opportunities to learn about politics and democracy at school.

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Group of activists

WHY THIS MATTERS?

The issue of youth representation in politics is a global one, which is why in April-2022 we launched the campaign Be Seen Be Heard to elevate youth voices in public life globally.​

In the UK young people’s voices are severely lacking from our public political conversation, this is true at the Ballot Box and within Parliament itself. ​

Read our manifesto to find out more, and why we’re urging Westminster to prioritise the recommendations shared to ensure our democratic system is inclusive, accessible and above all fair.

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British Youth Council Logo

British Youth Council Partnership

The British Youth Council (founded over 70 years ago) empowers young people aged 25 and under across the UK to have a say and be heard, and to create social and political change.

They support young people to get involved in their communities and democracy locally, nationally and internationally, making a difference as volunteers, campaigners, decision-makers and leaders.

OUR GLOBAL CAMPAIGN PARTNERSHIP

We’ve always operated outside of the beauty industry, seeking change where other brands saw risks. We are not afraid to challenge the status quo and to find the right solutions. This is not our first rodeo.

We’ve launched a global campaign to amplify youth voices in public life.

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For all our futures' sake

The UN Secretary-General has identified working with and for young people as one of the organisation’s top priorities. We’ll be working in partnership with the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth.

In partnership with The United Nations, we have launched a joint report, ‘Be Seen Be Heard: Understanding young people’s political participation’. The report is a snapshot at a critical moment to understand preconceptions and structural barriers preventing young people from participating in public life, along with recommendations to address these challenges.