A shocking experience led Shannay Williams, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from St. Thomas in Jamaica, to think about social problems from the viewpoint of those most affected – and to consider who is responsible for the solutions. It was sometime after 5:00 pm. I remember leaving the University of West Indies Mona in a taxi …
A ten day programme of meditation taught Mridul Upadhyay, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi in India, about one of India’s ancient disciplines and how it still applies to modern life. ‘How strange it is that we want control over others, while we are a slave of our own feelings completely.’ When one is …
An initiative to protect and promote forests is a welcome move, writes Oghenechovwen Oghenekevwe, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Warri in Nigeria, but is being threatened by some countries’ failure to sign on – and by a push for competing development. Professor Wangari Muta Maathai was a Kenyan and African heroine. From the 70s till …
Reading history gave Jake Elson, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bunbury in Australia, insight into a political and social trend that he argues could threaten the democratic progress of past generations. Not long ago, I began reading Zimbabwean politician David Coltart’s book The Struggle Continues. Whilst I am only at the beginning, it provides a …
The objectives and values between aid and business have reached a landmark intersection, writes Steph Carter, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Australia. In an era of Sustainable Development Goals, the development landscape is changing. Donor funding is becoming more targeted, with growing need to engage the private sector in lasting social impact. In the Asia …
Small crowds for international cricket in Trinidad are not about lack of interest in the game, writes Shastri Sookdeo, 28, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad now living in Amsterdam, but are evidence of ongoing issues with local management of the sport. The crowds for the 1st and 2nd One Day Internationals (ODI) featuring India and …
The UN has adopted the Convention Against Torture, but Ronald Tukachungurwa, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala in Uganda, argues that states must do more to ensure they are in compliance with the UN and constitutional laws. On certain Ugandan streets, billboards are hung with a message condemning torture, while in hospitals, schools, police stations …
The pressing issue of world hunger prompted one individual to make a remarkable effort, writes Alabidun Sarat, 22, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, who describes the work of a Lagos business woman. On realising that there were more than 795 million hungry people in the world and a startling number of Nigerian children were malnourished, …
The campaign against FGM is reaching out to a wider audience, writes Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Benin City, Nigeria, who describes advocacy training for a network of social media users in southern Nigeria. Due to the increasing number of social media users in Nigeria and the need to reach out to them, …
Diversity is a valued quality, writes Chanda Katema, 19, a Correspondent from Lusaka in Zambia now studying in India, but living with diversity can challenge one’s perceptions. In the middle of the conversation I stand wondering what is going on. Perhaps it’s just another language I don’t comprehend. Diversity is something to be proud of, but I …