Since 1982, Peace Child International has pursued a mission to ‘empower young people’ to take responsibility for shaping the future of our world community through direct participation in efforts to promote peace, human rights, sustainable development and the eradication of poverty.

It launched the World Youth Congress series in 1999 to enables young people to set priorities for the new millennium. When they not only set ten priorities, but demanded the right to take action to help achieve them, Peace Child coined the term ‘youth-led development’ and set about working to get governments and donor agencies to ‘see youth as a resource not a problem’ and to ‘Give youth a chance to make poverty history…’

Peace Child International works closely with governments, teachers and curriculum planners to introduce Education for Sustainable Lifestyles into schools, to promote action for youth-led development, and to create mechanisms that include young people in decision-making processes at every level.

The 2008 World Youth Congress (WYC) is led by a non-profit organization created exclusively to organize the Quebec Congress.  Its board of directors is comprises young people under 30 years from the Quebec region. They are the majority, but the Board benefits from the commitment and support of a group of experienced older people deeply involved in, and committed to, the city and region of Quebec.

TakingITGlobal is an international organization - led by youth and empowered by technology. TakingITGlobal connects youth around the world to find inspiration, information and get involved in improving their local and global communities.

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with a growing worldwide presence, the organization's flagship program’ TakingITGlobal.org, serves as the most popular online community for young people interested in connecting across cultures and making a difference, with hundreds of thousands of visitors each month.

TakingITGlobal works with global partners – from UN agencies, to major companies, and especially youth organizations – to build the capacity of youth for development, artistic and media expression, make education more engaging, and involve young people in global decision-making.