The full members of WAY are national youth councils. They are umbrellas for co-operation between different youth organisations in each country. They compose of principal voluntary and democratic youth organisations. They work with issues like the living conditions of youth, the youth organisations, international youth cooperation, training and so forth.
For affiliation, the WAY Charter requires that these national youth councils present proof of their representative nature and regular national activities, as well as their dedication to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. WAY has always stressed its multi-tendency nature, representing a great variety of interest and ideologies, yet striving to promote objectives common to all young people.
The paramount body of WAY is the General Assembly, which determines the policies and programs of the organisation. The General Assembly is convened every four years, and votes on the admission of new members and the adoption of policies. The General Assembly also elects the officers who are charged with the responsibility of implementing WAY's programs. The officers include the Bureau and the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee has 13 members. The present members are of 13 different nationalities from North and South, East and West. The Executive Committee is charged with the general administration of WAY and the implementation of programs drawn up by the General Assembly. The Executive Committee meets at least once a year.
The Bureau consists of WAY's President and five Vice Presidents, who are elected at the General Assembly. The Bureau meets between meetings of the Executive Committee to review and supervise the work of the Secretariat.
The Secretariat, headed by the Secretary General and support staff, carry out the daily work of the organisation in accordance with the guidelines established by the General Assembly and its elected bodies. The Secretariat of WAY is located in Melaka , Malaysia .
