Nolana Lynch is founder of the eco-friendly, all-natural skin and hair care line Eco-Truffles, which uses sustainable raw materials from rural women producers throughout the Caribbean. She has also spearheaded sustainable agriculture projects in several Caribbean countries. Nolana served as the National Coordinator of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network, and was awarded the Trinidad and Tobago …

Interview with Nolana Lynch, winner of Commonwealth Youth Award 2015 for the Caribbean region Read More »

Entrepreneurship is increasingly seen as the antidote to youth unemployment, writes Ariela St. Pierre-Collins, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from the Barbados, who describes a Commonwealth organisation that supports the trend. My home country is not a favoured place for young people to live of late. My generation is either fresh out of university and cannot get a …

"CAYE provides options to create employment" Read More »

Real democracy means more than casting a ballot on election day, writes Asim Nawaz Abbassi, 27, a Correspondent from Islamabad, Pakistan, who argues democracy also involves being aware of rights and responsibilities. Democracy is believed by many to be the best political system on earth, as it provides the opportunity for marginalized groups in society to showcase their opinions. The …

"Democracy must not be misconceived" Read More »

A World Cup cricket victory is more than a sports achievement. It can unite a country and build a positive national identity, writes Atikul Islam, 24, a Correspondent from Bogra in Bangladesh. Cricket is one of the most popular games in our country and in the world. The World Cup is a competition that allows the cricket-loving world to …

"Winning in World Cup cricket unites a nation" Read More »

Brianna is the youngest ever recipient of a Commonwealth Youth Award and founder of ‘Small Voices’, an environmental NGO that carries out climate change and environment-related projects. She is also a leader of ‘Future Rush’, an environmental group that mobilises young people to run sustainable development projects in their communities. Brianna received a Young Environmental Activist …

Interview with Brianna Frueann, winner of Commonwealth Youth Award 2015 for the Pacific Region Read More »

Using your vote at election time is an opportunity to shape the country by deciding which politicians will succeed, writes Musa Temidayo, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria, who argues that every vote counts in any election. In Nigeria, without your Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC), you are not eligible to vote. I read somewhere that …

"Your voters' card is your passport to make change" Read More »

Children brim with positive spirit and eagerness to learn in spite of dire surroundings, writes Geetha Kanniah, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Malaysia who is volunteering to teach at a refugee centre.  I hope I can get you to picture this: I get off the bus, a two hour journey from home and walk towards …

"Refugee children embrace opportunity to learn" Read More »

Last month in the Commonwealth Youth Programme, we ran a social media campaign partnering with Devex, Chemonics, The MasterCard Foundation and U.N.-Habitat to generate discussion about youth issues. Millions of people worldwide tuned into #YouthWill to contribute to the discussion to share their opinions and support for youth leadership and empowerment. Youth Will reached 13 …

#YouthWill continue to inspire after the campaign Read More »

Last week we celebrated the second UN designated International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) with a series of events on Tuesday 7 April at the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarters in London. Here is a brief wrap up of the day. #CWSDP live chat We kicked off the day with a Twitter conversation about …

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace celebrations Read More »