The ISA was founded 1948 in close cooperation with UNESCO's Research Department.  As peace education and youth issues were in the forefront of the postwar, socio-political legacy of this foundation, many of the first officers of ISA were also youth sociologists.  But in 1975 the RC 34 was established as a specialized branch of ISA.

The RC 34 was from the beginning not only a network for pure academic youth research, but also committed to the original heritage of social and political responsibility.  This implies standing partnership with multilateral organisations aiming at conflict resolution, peace and the development of civic society.  It is also the policy of RC 34 to invite for membership and participation colleagues from other disciplines as well as practitioners in the youth fields, and then to serve as a global, interdisciplinary network and meeting place for youth issues in general.

The Committee is built on associational principles of individual membership, formal statutes, a General Meeting every fourth year at the World Congresses, also electing a Board running the RC between the Congresses.

The work is built on regional Vice-Presidencies running their activities and networking in various areas of the world, and a Bureau taking care of the membership services and general, strategic affairs connected to the Presidency.  An Advisory Board is appointed by the Board, as a body for special experiences and strategic competence in the field.

The aim of RC34 is to contribute to the development of theory and practice of youth sociology and youth research on an international level, uniting professional knowledge, scientific consciousness, and social commitment of its members to work on problems and issues of youth on a local, regional, and international level.

Statutes

RC34 website

President
Ngan-Pun Ngai, Chinese University of Hong Kong, npngai@cuhk.edu.hk
Vice-Presidents
Vinod Chandra (Asia, including China & Japan)
James Cote (North America)
Tom Dwyer (Central and South America)
Carles Feixa (Europe, including Russian Federation)
Carmen Leccardi (Europe, including Russian Federation)
Charles Ukeje (Africa, including Near East & Middle East)
Ani Wierenga (Australia, New Zealand & Oceania)

Organizational Secretary
Howard Williamson, University of Glamorgan, UK, howardw@glam.ac.uk
Treasurer
Natalia Waechter, Austrian Inst Youth Research, nw@oeij.at
Newsletter Editor, IBYR
Clarence Batan, cbatan@hotmail.com
Past-President
Helena Helve, Finland

Past Boards

International Bulletin on Youth Research

RC 34 has an institutional cooperation with UN (Headquarters), with Unesco and the Council of Europe, also at their regional and sub-regional actions. The cooperation aims at consultancy and more direct involvement in the processes of improved
relationships between youth research and youth policies.

Dues: $50 (discount $10) for a 4-year period.ISA membership registration form is available on https://secured.com/~f3641/formisa.htm