Background: The Council of European National Youth Committees was created in 1963 by National Youth Councils which at that time were members of the World Assembly of Youth (WAY). The main reason for establishing CENYC as an independent European organization was the need for an independent youth platform in negotiations with European inter-governmental and non-governmental institutions such as the Council of Europe. Hence, CENYC aims to further European youth consciousness and represent the European national coordinating committee of youth vis-a-vis institutions. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, CENYC was instrumental in setting up youth institutions such as the European Youth Centre and the European Youth Foundation. CENYC is a forum for the exchange of information, experience and ideas between members. The organization carries out research on youth problems in Europe, especially with regard to unemployment and the rights of young people. It is also concerned with subjects of more general interest which have indirect influence on youth work, such as: the commercialization of leisure time; disarmament; the situation in Africa; regional development; transnational corporations; the United Nations; and the Mid-Decade of Women CENYC is involved in projects, seminars, study groups and study tours. It has organized different activities within a project entitled "Youth Rights Project" and maintains contacts in Africa, Asia and Latin America, where it has been supporting different actions on human rights.