Interview: A voice for Britain's youth - James Cathcart, chief executive, British Youth Council

Not only does 2008 mark the BYC's 60th anniversary but work is due to begin on the government's Youth Citizenship Commission's consultation into whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 - something the BYC has long been campaigning for.

It was announced last week that Professor Jonathan Tonge will chair the commission, which will report to the Prime Minister next spring (CYP Now, 5-11 March). Cathcart says the commission must consult with everyone on the issue, not just young people, to get a broader feel for how it should be approached.

"It's important the work the commission does is in the public arena," says Cathcart. "It must get a public airing and people on both sides of the argument need to be involved, rather than it just being a commission that takes evidence. We have to engage the adult population about what society thinks about giving the vote to 16-year-olds; only through that will we get change."

While other youth groups have heralded the announcement of the commission as a major step forward for the Votes at 16 campaign, Cathcart is positive but measured about its creation.

"I don't know whether it's a case of when rather than if the voting age is changed. I think there is a lot more work to do," he says. "There are a lot of other organisations campaigning on this, but we need to make sure we don't just campaign to each other."

The BYC currently has a poll on its website asking young people what issues they would most like it to work on. At present, campaigning to abolish university tuition fees is in the lead, with Cathcart saying the 60th anniversary of the BYC this year will be marked by marching on with its campaigns and lobbying on this issue and others.

It is also developing opportunities for young people to represent the UK abroad. "The BYC has a seat on the European Youth Forum and next month young people, supported by us, will be in Slovenia for the European Presidency event and Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting," he says.

While he is a newcomer to the organisation, youth issues are close to Cathcart's heart. With a CV littered with experience in volunteering, social work in a children's home, work with young offenders and, for the last 10 years, in youth policy at The Prince's Trust, Cathcart was well-qualified to take the reins of the council. However, he is keen to point out it is the young people and not him leading the organisation.

"I'm following the young people," he says. "It's not my vision, other than to do the best I can in terms of running a good charity that's effective. I see the goals that are set by young people; it's not me leading the decision-making."

Cathcart's appointment process included an interview by a panel of young people. "They put me through what I hope they put everyone else through," he says with a laugh. "In a way I wouldn't have wanted to work for a youth-led organisation unless I was being interviewed by the young people that led it because it's important they have their say."

He admits he risks sounding corny when talking about it but says he is encouraged that Gordon Brown's government has focused on the youth agenda. "This government has really put the emphasis on youth engagement," he says. "It has been followed up at a local level by youth councils and forums. We're seeing government interest mirrored by other political parties. They are looking at their own policies, but the things we want to see more of are reflected in our campaigns."

BACKGROUND WHAT THE BRITISH YOUTH COUNCIL DOES

- The British Youth Council works to promote the active citizenship of young people. It works with them to develop their skills and abilities to participate in decision-making

- It has more than 180 youth organisations as members and a network of more than 400 local youth councils

- Members include Young Labour, the National Union of Students and the Scout Association

- It is campaigning for an equal national minimum wage, more balanced coverage of young people by the media and is questioning sanctions proposed in government plans to raise the education and training leaving age to 18.