IARS is a youth-led, social policy think-tank that was set up in 2001 to empower young people so that they can influence policy, practice and the law, and acquire a voice that will enable them to democratically engage in society as equal citizens.
Through volunteering, youth-led work, training, skills-development programmes and research, young people at IARS aim to improve practices that affect them and as role models participate in society and support their peers and youth-led organisations and groups in creating a tolerant and equal society where young people are respected and valued. IARS is unique in its structure and the only youth-led social policy think-tank in the UK.
We believe in the value of the youth-led sector, and provide representation of the issues affecting it. For further information you can view our Vision & Strategic Aims as well as our Mission & Values
IARS' objectives state that the charity "is set up to promote the development of young people as individuals and members of society by:
- providing training guidance and support to enable those young people to undertake research, study or other activities to investigate the issues which affect them and;
- encouraging young people to use the useful results of that research and learning to increase awareness and understanding of the issues which affect them amongst child and young people welfare professionals, service providers and the public" (IARS Memorandum of Association).
IARS services are youth-led in the sense that they are designed, delivered and scrutinised by the young people in the Youth Advisory Group.
The charity achieves its aims by:
- providing voice and representation of issues affecting the youth-led sector
- providing youth-led direct services to disadvantaged young people e.g. high quality volunteering opportunities, tailored training and skills development programmes such as research methods and human rights;
- acting as an independent youth-led consultancy and policy think-tank;
- carrying out youth-led research to influence and inform policy and practices affecting young people;
- informing strategic decision makers about issues affecting youth-led organisations and youth groups that are easily exposed to discrimination e.g. Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual (LGB) young people, disabled young people, those out of education and employment, ex-offenders and offenders.
Our work is evidence-based and reflects the passions, concerns and interests of young people particularly those who tend to be excluded. Our activities have a national and international significance, and we are particularly active in London. IARS aims to serve as a model whereby young people, particularly from disadvantaged groups, come together to inform practices and policies that affect their lives, and support youth-led Third Sector organisations and others concerned with issues that involve them.
