The Advocacy Academy

The Advocacy Academy is a Youth Organising Movement. We support young people from South London to creating a more fair, just and equitable world. We want young people to have the power to influence decisions about their lives, but right now 88% feel like their voices are completely unheard in society and 60% don't understand how decisions are made about local or national issues. Worryingly, young people from less affluent families and ethnic minority backgrounds feel least able to challenge the problems in their communities, despite being at the sharp end of most political decisions. Not having a voice in the public conversations that directly affect them like housing, crime and education has a dangerous impact on the confidence and aspirations of these young people, and on society. We exist to give them that voice. The Advocates' Charter 1. A better world is possible. There is nothing inevitable about injustice and inequality. 2. It is our right and our responsibility to build that world. 3. We strive to continually improve ourselves, our communities, and our society. 4. The lives of ordinary people matter. 5. We are one family. We love and support one another and stand in solidarity with each other. 6. It is our right to define ourselves, and have our identities celebrated. 7. We actively work to uncover, acknowledge, and overcome our biases. 8. We value experience, and do not do for others what they can do for themselves. Nothing about us without us! 9. We prize conviction, and support each other to live our values in our everyday lives. 10. We value critical thinking and challenge. We approach discomfort, disagreement and difficult conversations with an open and curious mind. 11. We practice the powerful combination of education and action. 12. We work to create inclusive and supportive spaces where we can each be our best selves.