Lalita Gopaul, one of the 2020 Commonwealth Youth Awards finalists, does not mind getting some dirt under her fingernails. As founder and CEO of Eco Club in the Guyana, she is passionate about educating young people about environmental conservation and protection. Promise Forsuh, a 23-year-old Commonwealth Correspondent from Bamenda, Cameroon, caught up with the eco-warrior to …

Making environmental awareness ‘cool’ Read More »

The cancellation of sporting events due to the coronavirus has had a devastating effect on one of the most powerful forces for peace and unity in a time when the world needs it most, writes Alvin Ma, a 28-year-old Commonwealth Correspondent from Canada. He is hopeful that people across the globe will utilize other avenues …

Filling the sports gap left by the coronavirus Read More »

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland writes about meeting inspirational young health innovator Rayvon Stewart at the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM) in Geneva last year in this blog. Rayvon was among the finalists shortlisted for last year’s Commonwealth Health Innovation Awards. Five years ago more than 40 babies born in Jamaican hospitals became infected with lethal bacteria – …

Young Jamaican’s invention could help tackle the spread of viruses like COVID-19 Read More »

Young people make up more than half of Fiji’s population – but they are mostly excluded from policy formulation and decision-making. Broderick John Mervyn, one of this year’s Commonwealth Youth Awards finalists, is working to change that through his initiative Ignite4Change. Oghenekevwe Oghenechovwen, a 21-year-old Commonwealth Correspondent from Warri in Nigeria, spoke to Broderick about …

Igniting change for Fiji’s young people Read More »

Joshua Ebin from Nigeria was one 16 finalists for this year’s Commonwealth Youth Awards. The 29-year-old is the co-founder of Jumela Ltd., an agro-technology venture that specializes in the production of plant-based compost for crop farmers in Nigeria. Jumela also tackles poor food waste management, pollution problems and low agricultural yield in Africa. Sola Abe, …

One man’s trash, another man’s treasure Read More »

Vedant Jain is set on giving children from underprivileged backgrounds the best tools they need to succeed—the discovery of themselves and their abilities. He is co-founder of the ‘Labhya Foundation’; a non-profit that equips children from low socio-economic with critical social and emotional skills. Vedant’s efforts earned him a place as one of the 2020 …

Bringing out the diamonds in the rough Read More »

In high school, cheerleading was Stephen McCubbin’s favourite activity. It saved him from getting caught up in violence in his home country of Jamaica. Now, he’s using it as a tool to help young people feel valued and respected. Commonwealth Correspondent Jhannel Tomlinson, 27, from Kingston, Jamaica, spoke to Stephen– a finalist in this year’s …

Finding salvation in cheerleading Read More »

Rinesh Sharma is turning obstacles into opportunities by farming in under-utilised spaces around Lautoka City in Fiji. One of the 16 finalists of this year’s Commonwealth Youth Awards, Rinesh is the founder of Smart Farms Fiji, an initiative that aims to provide a sustainable food production system by growing fruits and vegetables in a controlled …

Farming smart in Fiji Read More »

Stay home, stay safe, stay alive. That is the global message as the coronavirus pandemic claims more lives. While many of us can practice social distancing, spare a thought for refugees, forced migrants and displaced persons who have no choice about how and where they live. Bismark Akoto, a 24-year-old Commonwealth Correspondent from Accra, Ghana …

Far from home and dodging coronavirus Read More »

Responses by leaders across the world to the coronavirus pandemic have ranged from efficient to questionable. As Canadian writer Robin Sharma eloquently put it: “Anyone can lead when the plan is working. The best lead when the plan falls apart.” Munguongeyo Ivan, a 27-year-old Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala, Uganda, looks at various interventions to a crisis that …

Leadership during COVID-19 Read More »