Young Leaders Announced as Candidates for Commonwealth Youth Council Executive Elections

Forty-eight Young leaders have been announced as candidates for the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) executive elections. These candidates were shortlisted from hundreds of nominations across the Commonwealth after a thorough review process. They will compete for 10 executive seats on the council.

Online campaigning begins today, with candidates unveiling their manifestos, and will conclude on 14 September. Voting will take place online on 16 and 17 September, with results announced on 18 September.

Elected candidates will serve from 2024 to 2026, leading inclusive consultations, projects, and events to voice the concerns of young people and shape youth development policies.

Outgoing Chairperson’s Remarks

Ahead of the announcement, the outgoing CYC chairperson, Kim Allen, stated, “CYC allows young people the platform to exercise their rights for political participation and decision-making as youth leaders across the Commonwealth. My outgoing executive team, the national youth delegates, and I are grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside governments, youth ministries, and youth development stakeholders across the Commonwealth.

In every election, every candidate has the equal right to participate in the CYC Elections and to treat the process with respect, accountability, and fairness. I encourage all candidates and the voters (National Youth Delegates) to treat each other with respect in the election process”

The candidates were shortlisted by the Commonwealth Youth Council’s Electoral Board. Layne Robinson, Head of the Commonwealth’s Social Policy Division, encouraged young people to participate in the election and engage with candidates on their manifestos.

He said, “The voices of young people are essential in shaping the future, and this election is a critical opportunity for them to choose leaders who will advocate for their needs and aspirations across the Commonwealth.” Robinson added, “That is why young people should pay attention to the candidates they want to lead the council, who will, on their behalf, work with governments and other stakeholders to realise their needs and aspirations.”

Nominees were required to submit a comprehensive application, including their manifesto, personal profile, a letter of endorsement from a national youth council or youth-led organisation, and a letter of attestation from a government department.

The election process will be transparent, fair, independent, and democratic. Established in 2013, the Commonwealth Youth Council aims to advance the youth development agenda across its 56 member countries and increase youth participation at all levels of decision-making.

Find out more about the candidates contesting in the CYC Executive Election 2024.

2024 candidates

The 2024 candidates, grouped under each role in alphabetical order by individual surname, are:

1.0 Chairperson of the CYC

• Timothy Kadaga – Uganda
  Timothy Kivunike Kadaga, a Ugandan lawyer, is committed to youth empowerment and leadership. He has established collaborations between youth organisations and leads programs that promote youth inclusivity and development, aiming to inspire the next generation of Commonwealth leaders.
• Faye Nimoh – Ghana
  Faye Nimoh, a passionate advocate from Ghana, is running for Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council to amplify youth voices globally. She has successfully led initiatives promoting education, leadership, and political participation, driving positive change in youth empowerment.
• Daniel Obal – Uganda
  Daniel Obal is a Ugandan lawyer, politician, and agribusiness entrepreneur passionate about youth, women, and children’s rights. With over five years of experience, he aims to revamp and strengthen the Commonwealth Youth Council as its Chairperson.
• Victor Okello – Kenya
  Victor Okello, a youth advocate and environmentalist from Kenya, has championed sustainable development and youth empowerment. He has led impactful projects benefiting over 700 individuals and is committed to advancing sustainable development goals across the Commonwealth.
• Joshua Opey – Ghana
  Joshua Opey is a youth advocate from Ghana recognised for his dedication to empowering youth and driving sustainable development. He has contributed to UNICEF’s global youth engagement strategy and aims to usher the Commonwealth Youth Council into a new era of progress.
• Mwesigye Thomas – Rwanda
  Thomas Mwesigye, a passionate youth advocate from Rwanda, has extensive experience leading youth empowerment and advocacy projects. He is running for Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council to champion the voices of young people and ensure meaningful youth participation across the Commonwealth.

2.0 Vice-Chairperson for Partnerships and Resources

• Pannila Gamaathige Pasindu Maduranga Guneratne – Sri Lanka
  Pasindu Guneratne, from Sri Lanka, has led youth development initiatives as the Chairman of the National Youth Services Council. He has represented Sri Lanka at international forums like COP28 and the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting, and he is committed to enhancing collaborations to maximise opportunities for youth across the Commonwealth.
• Noria Kamutumwa – Zambia
  Noria Kamutumwa, from Zambia, is a self-motivated and vibrant young leader dedicated to making an impact in the lives of others. She believes in the power of partnerships and collaboration to create a better environment and is committed to driving positive change.
• Jovia Kisakye – Uganda
  Jovia Kisakye, a two-time founder and climate advocate from Uganda, has raised significant funding for projects addressing health and climate challenges. She is running for VC – Partnerships & Resources to make Commonwealth Youth fundable, leveraging her experience in resource mobilisation.
• Gurdit Vora – India
  Gurdit Vora, from India, is running for Vice Chairperson of Partnerships & Resources to leverage his resource management skills. He has led partnerships with over 10,000 hospitals and co-founded the Harprabh Foundation, impacting underprivileged students and representing India at international forums.
• Bridget Wilson – Ghana
  Bridget Wilson, from Ghana, is a committed youth advocate with expertise in resource mobilisation and strategic planning. She is running for Vice Chair (Partnerships and Resources) to empower young people and build partnerships that drive sustainable development.

3.0 Representative for Special Interest Groups

• Khaleem Trevor Ali – Trinidad & Tobago
  Khaleem Ali, a human rights advocate from Trinidad & Tobago, is committed to championing the voices of marginalised communities. He has tackled issues such as the death penalty, LGBTQIA+ rights, and climate justice, demonstrating a strong commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and equity.
• Chris Boora – India
  Chris Boora, from India, is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and a seasoned leader in driving social impact. She is running for CYC Representative of Special Interest Groups to champion the needs of underrepresented and marginalised young people.
• Ozoigboanugo Douglas Izuchukwu – Nigeria
  Douglas Izuchukwu, a disability rights advocate from Nigeria, has extensive experience in disability inclusion and gender-based violence projects. He is running for Representative for Special Interest Groups in the Commonwealth Youth Council to champion the inclusion of marginalised youth.
• Farhana Jan – India
  Farhana Jan, from Kashmir, India, is dedicated to promoting peace and stability in the region. She advocates for marginalised communities and has been awarded as a young achiever for her work in youth empowerment, de-radicalization, and social services.
• Shri Jhanani – India
  Shri Jhanani, from India, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and is pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration. She has coordinated grassroots and global diplomacy efforts, advocating for underrepresented groups and striving to build a resilient youth community.

4.0 Vice-Chairperson for Inclusion and Engagement

• Neema Sheikh Abdikadir – Kenya
  Neema Sheikh Abdikadir, from Kenya, is a passionate advocate for the inclusion and empowerment of marginalised communities. She is running for Vice Chair of Inclusion and Engagement to ensure that every voice, especially those often unheard, is valued and represented across the Commonwealth.
• Walter Osigai Etepesit – Uganda
  Walter Etepesit, a human rights and climate advocate from Uganda, is running for Vice Chairperson-Inclusion and Engagement of the Commonwealth Youth Council to magnify youth voices, particularly from underrepresented communities, and to strengthen inclusive decision-making processes.
• Qaiser Jamil – Pakistan
  Qaiser Jamil is a dedicated youth activist from Pakistan with a background in international relations, legal advocacy, and youth empowerment. He serves as Secretary of International Relations for the Youth Parliament of Pakistan and has represented his country at the United Nations, advocating for youth rights globally.
• Genesis Mwamba – Zambia
  Genesis Mwamba, founder and Executive Director of the Lead Me Back Foundation in Zambia, has dedicated his career to advancing social impact through education and healthcare. He has improved the lives of over 80,000 vulnerable individuals and is running to foster a more inclusive Commonwealth.
• Aaliyah Rodgers – Jamaica
  Aaliyah Rodgers, from Jamaica, is a dynamic leader with over seven years of experience in youth leadership and organisational governance. She is passionate about amplifying youth voices and promoting diverse, inclusive participation across the Commonwealth.

5.0 Vice Chairperson for Policy & Advocacy

• William Awomoyi – United Kingdom
  William Awomoyi, from the UK, is running for Vice-Chairperson of Policy and Advocacy to ensure young people’s voices are heard. As the UK’s Youth Ambassador to the CYC, he has represented his municipality on local and national levels and aims to pioneer a unified policy agenda for Commonwealth youth.
• Denise Ayebare – Uganda
  Denise Ayebare, a climate change leader from Uganda, has represented youth at international forums like COP28 and has made significant contributions to climate action and sustainability projects. She is a multiple award-winning speaker and a dedicated advocate for environmental sustainability.
• Patience Chishimba Munkanta – Zambia
  Patience Munkanta, from Zambia, is a passionate leader with expertise in driving innovation and fostering inclusive growth. She is committed to amplifying the voices of member states and harnessing the power of collective action to address pressing global challenges.
• Arielle Daniella Kiara Neely – Turks & Caicos
  Arielle Neely, from the Turks and Caicos Islands, is a dedicated youth advocate and Career Advancement and Program Coordinator for the government. She has successfully aligned students with diverse employment opportunities and is passionate about empowering youth through inclusive, youth-centred policies across the Commonwealth.
• Ashraf Nehal – India
  Ashraf Nehal, a Commonwealth youth leader from India, is running for CYC Vice Chair to amplify youth voices across diverse nations. With experience in policy advocacy and youth engagement, he is committed to driving CYC’s policy agenda and ensuring the collective voice of youth shapes the future of the Commonwealth.
• Debora Nti – Ghana
  Debora Nti, an IT Project Manager from Ghana, founded Adepa Global Foundation to empower rural youth through digital inclusion. She is committed to advancing policies that create equitable opportunities and drive sustainable change, and she is running to bring her interdisciplinary approach to the Commonwealth Youth Council.
• Falit Sijariya – India
  Falit Sijariya, from India, is a global youth leader dedicated to ensuring that young voices are heard on global platforms. He has led the G20 Youth Summit 2023 and represented Asia at various international forums, aiming to serve the youth community better.

6.0 Regional Representative for Africa

• Mervyn Courtard  – Mauritius
  Mervyn Courtaud, from Mauritius, is a dedicated community leader with a background in management and entrepreneurship. He has championed youth empowerment, driving impactful initiatives in education, employment, and healthcare, and was recently honored as a finalist for JCI Mauritius TOYP 2024.
• Arafat Bakir Lesheve – Tanzania
  Arafat Lesheve is an experienced youth leader from Tanzania with a strong background in sustainable development. He has led initiatives like the Tanzania Emerging Youth Awards and aims to champion the needs and aspirations of African youth in the Commonwealth Youth Council.
• Trevor Kamogelo Oahile – Botswana
  Trevor Oahile, from Botswana, is dedicated to empowering youth and promoting unity across Africa. With expertise in economics and policy development, he aims to amplify young voices and drive sustainable development, innovation, and collaborative leadership.
• Rosy Schaneck – Namibia
  Rosy Schaneck, a Pan-African youth leader from Namibia, is passionate about youth development and social entrepreneurship. She has led campaigns against gender-based violence and promotes educational development, aiming to unite African youth to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063.
• Fernando Fernando Sozinho- Mozambique
  Fernando Sozinho, known as “The Changemaker,” is a youth advocate from Mozambique focused on addressing social inequalities. He promotes local actions with global impact and aims to ensure that African youth are included in decision-making processes on issues affecting them.
• Husna Salim Sultan – Tanzania
  Husna Sultan, from Zanzibar, Tanzania, is an environmental and climate advocate with significant experience in sustainable tourism and marine conservation. She has empowered youth across Zanzibar and is dedicated to driving meaningful solutions for climate change and youth empowerment.

7.0 Regional Representative for Asia

• Muskaan Anand – India
  Muskaan Anand, from India, is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and social justice. As National Convener of Students For Seva, she has inspired thousands of youth to address critical issues like menstrual hygiene management, education, and environmental sustainability.
• Muhammad Tabish Hamid – Pakistan
  Muhammad Tabish Hamid, from Pakistan, is the President and Co-Founder of Young Leaders Society Pakistan. He is running for Commonwealth Asian Representative to ensure that the youth of Asia are well-represented and their challenges addressed, with a focus on inclusive approaches and amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable.
• Bodh Maathura – Sri Lanka
  Bodh Maathura, from Sri Lanka, is an economic research and development professional focused on climate change and youth empowerment. He has represented Sri Lanka at COP28 and played a key role in forming the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance, aiming to unite Asia’s youth for inclusive development.
• Suchith Sindhe – India
  Suchith Sindhe, from India, is a youth leader and meditation trainer focused on sustainable agriculture and environmental initiatives. He has led impactful projects like “Peacetrees” and “Forest by Heartfulness,” planting millions of saplings and educating thousands of students in sustainability.
• Danish Tariq – Pakistan
  Danish Tariq, from Pakistan, is a passionate youth advocate with over a decade of experience. He is running for Asia Regional Representative to amplify the potential of Asia’s youth and ensure their voices are heard in shaping a resilient and united Commonwealth.

8.0 Regional Representative for the Caribbean

• Dannyelle-Jordan Neema Bailey – Jamaica
  Dannyelle-Jordan Bailey, a youth advocate from Jamaica, has a proven track record in leadership and policy development. She has championed mental health, educational equity, and gender justice, and is running for Regional Representative for the Caribbean to strategically amplify youth voices across the Commonwealth.
• Jordan Tyrik Calburt Clarke – Bahamas
  Jordan Clarke, from The Bahamas, is passionate about youth empowerment and climate advocacy. As Chairman of the Progressive Young Liberals and a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, he is running to ensure that young people’s voices are heard and that pressing issues like climate change are tackled with urgency.
• Jessica Forbes – Trinidad & Tobago
  Jessica Forbes, from Trinidad and Tobago, is deeply involved in various leadership roles, including the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Ambassadors and the UNFPA Youth Advisory Group. She is running for Regional Representative of the Caribbean to empower and unite Caribbean youth.
• Amanda Jessica Slew – Jamaica
  Amanda Slew, a law student from Jamaica, is a passionate advocate for empowering Caribbean women. She is vying for the role of Regional Representative for the Caribbean to influence policies that affect youth, ensure inclusivity, and represent underrepresented groups within the youth community.
• Jaheim Thomas – Barbados
  Jaheim Thomas, from Barbados, is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment with experience in leadership and advocacy. He is committed to fostering inclusivity and driving positive change across the Commonwealth by representing and amplifying youth voices.

9.0 Regional Representative for the Pacific

• Tylah Farani-Watene- New Zealand
  Tylah is a proud descendant of Te Moana nui-a-Kiwa, with ancestral ties to Fai’a’ai, Nofoali’i, Taputimu, and Ngāti Maru. As a storyteller and communicator for NZ Māori Tourism, she advocates for youth, sustainable development, racial justice, and civic education. Tylah is dedicated to amplifying Indigenous voices and shaping a vibrant Pacific future.
• Leoshina Kariha- Papua New Guinea
  Leoshina Kariha is a Papua New Guinean advocate with a background in Political Science from the University of Hawaiʻi. Her work as a Pacific Researcher has enhanced her commitment to youth, women, and children, focusing on indigenous voices and cultural identity. Leoshina aims to centralize youth perspectives in development, driving meaningful change.
• Moeloto Tuilaepa Tiatia – Samoa
  Moeloto Tuilaepa Tiatia is a proud Samoan educator, who teaches at the CCCS School of Fine Arts in Malua, where she also graduated with high honors. Passionate about her identity and culture, Moeloto aims to inspire more young women to embrace their artistic talents and step into leadership roles.

10.0 Regional Representative for Europe & Canada

• Eunice Oluwafeyisayo Oladejo- Canada
  Eunice Oladejo, an international and government affairs professional with a Master’s in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, focuses on diplomacy, foreign policy, and conflict resolution. A former Canadian Delegate to the United Nations Youth Assembly, she has represented over 150,000 students and is committed to amplifying youth voices to decision-makers.