AKYP is primarily a social justice organisation which advocates human rights, self empowerment and self determination of the Karen and other ethnic groups within a democratic Burma. Its main focus is on grass roots education projects for Karen youth.

The AKYP works alongside the Karen community in Australia and local NGOs on the Thai Burma border. AKYP also has a strong focus on raising awareness about the situation in Burma, on networking with other organisations and on working alongside other ethnic groups from Burma.