A TEENGER from Kenilworth has been elected to Youth Council UK’s first-ever Executive Board.
Sixteen year-old Olivia Zhang Harold is the youngest of 19 young people, aged 16 to 25, now mandated to lead YCUK.
Elected by YCUK founding members, together they will represent young people from Youth Council UK’s membership, made of more than 200 youth organisations, from grass roots to international bodies, working with an estimated 7.8 million young people between them.
Olivia said: “Thank you very much for electing me. I am truly honoured and deeply grateful. I will dedicate my full effort to this role.
“Having witnessed how limited opportunities and rising living costs impact young people, I am committed to improving youth employment and expanding access to meaningful work experience, while also championing period dignity and addressing the everyday inequalities young people face.
“I will work proactively to champion young people’s ideas, amplify our voices, and help create opportunities for us to thrive!”
The Executive Board will now work with members to agree its initial priorities. A non-voting Support Board of sector experts will also be established to mentor and advise the young leaders as the organisation develops. The Executive Board has a two-year term, with the next elections due in 2028.
