The Anarchist Youth Network (Britain and Ireland) is the only youth organisation, created by young people, which isn't trying to recruit you to a sad outdated political party.

In their own words...

The Anarchist Youth Network (AYN) is a nationwide network of young people fighting for youth issues such as an end to tagging for young offenders, the scrapping of section 28 and an end to tuition fees. However, we also see the bigger picture and fight against capitalism, authority and the control which the government and big corporations have over our everyday lives. We realise that capitalism is the cause of war, poverty and crime. We believe that the only way to stop war, poverty and crime is to abolish the system that creates a need for it: Capitalism. We want the destruction of capitalism and replacing it with a non-hierarchical society, free from ALL forms of authority and oppression. We want the abolition of government and the power for people to decide over their own lives. After all, who knows what you and your community want or need in life better? You and your community or someone who has never been to your community in their entire life? We reject the idea that we need to be lead and choose rather to decide for ourselves what happens in our lives without the use of professional politicians (a.k.a. people who get paid to decide how you live your life). We want a world without money and where people do things for each other because they want to, not because they have to.

We organise ourselves non-hierarchically, without leaders or authority. No one is forced to do anything they do not want to do and it is completely up to the individual how involved they get within the group. After all, if you try and force someone to do something, they just do a half-arsed job of it (take a look at how much you work in the subjects you don’t like or in a job you do that you hate for proof of this). We are against all forms of discrimination be it based on race, gender, sexuality, ability or any other reason.

Why was the AYN set up?

We were set up because young people joining the anti-capitalist movement often find it intimidating to join in discussions with experienced activists. We decided to set up a group where young activists could be amongst peers rather than be amongst adults who sometimes (though unintentionally) set up a ‘dictatorship of the most experienced’ with us at the bottom.

We also thought that youths organising themselves would gain experience and skills for them to take into future actions and groups. The AYN has experienced WOMBLES, Hunt Saboteurs and militant anti-fascists as members as well as trained Legal and First Aiders in the group. We hold skills sharing sessions where people can learn things from first aid, web-site design and the law to flag and banner making. We firmly believe that true democracy can only come about when people share information and skills so we can all become independent people who freely choose what we want to do and with who.

Lastly, we also thought it would be good for young anti-capitalist activists to meet with other young anti-capitalist activists. It is easier to form affinity groups (and more importantly friendships) with other people your age and who share your outlook on life.
 http://www.anarchistyouth.net


Anarchist Youth Network
AYN c/o 84b, Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7QX
Telephone: 07814 629780
Email:  info@anarchistyouth.net
To join the AYN discussion list send a blank email to:  younganarchos-subscribe@yahoogroups.com