Conflict and violence costs money as well as lives, writes Francis Ventura, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Australia, who argues for investment in peace as he describes a school where peace-building is a priority. He stood there. He was breathing, but he seemingly had no life. I had just attended mass at the All Saints Christian Church …

“Peace-building: humanity’s best investment” Read More »

The internet and social media give youth an enormous opportunity to amplify their voices, writes Emmanuel Olutokun, 23, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, who looks at ways these remarkable tools have been used for positive change. The youthful age offers so much opportunity, potential and prospects to build, learn, and explore. A period to …

“Our voice is in our hands” Read More »

Building and maintaining peace must include efforts to provide food security, writes Azinwi Ngum, 25, a Correspondent from Cameroon, who says there is need to solve the food insecurity problems that can be the cause – or the result – of conflict. With increasing conflicts within the African continent, development agencies and governments have begun to explore the linkages between …

“Peace and food security are linked in Africa” Read More »

Access to justice is a fundamental human right, but as Mahdy Hassan, 24, a Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh explains, gaining that access is not an easy task. That’s where an innovative legal aid programme can  help. Let me tell you a story of a 24-year-old Bangladeshi single mother of two children, who was dismissed …

“Legal aid ensures access to justice” Read More »

As humans we gravitate toward shared social opinion, but as Will Nicholl, 22, a Correspondent in London, UK writes, populist movements carry with them the risk of political ignorance. Michel Foucault once quipped “[p]eople know what they do; frequently they know why they do what they do; but what they do not know is what what …

“The political problem with populism” Read More »

 Poverty is a major challenge in both developed and developing countries, and poverty reduction is number one among the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Paul Odhiambo, 26, a Correspondent from Nairobi in Kenya, applauds the goal to cut poverty by half by 2030, but suggests that target may not be achieved. I am afraid that most countries, especially …

“Saving as a method of ending poverty” Read More »

London’s business economy has expanded to a 24-hour day, writes Mary Adeyi, 23, a Correspondent in London, UK, as she looks at how the city is adapting to the around-the-clock schedule. London is becoming a 24-hour city, which makes London more attractive. Trends Business Research reveals London’s night-time economy is worth £66bn a year and that …

“The city and the London night tube” Read More »

Climate change is a fact of life in many regions, writes Fariya Abubakari, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bawku, Ghana, as she describes the economic impact and the personal toll on those vulnerable to changed conditions.    “I am confused and don’t think my child can continue her education to the university. I will not plant …

“Climate change a ‘creeping disaster’ in Ghana” Read More »

One might think that oil prices indicate the number of job opportunities in that field, but as Shastri Sookdeo, 27, a Correspondent from Trinidad now living in Amsterdam explains, the relationship between prices and jobs is not linear. The job market is, like every other market, affected by the laws of supply and demand. When …

“Prices don’t affect new jobs in oil industry” Read More »