Access to antiretroviral drugs may be increasing, but at least one vulnerable population is still excluded from health services in some communities and countries. McPherlain Chungu, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Zambia has interviewed someone facing this reality.Chungu argues that we should not get carried away celebrating the good work of the past and lose …

The global HIV response, not a fairy tale Read More »

Imagine living the life of a young person. Twenty-four-hour social media bombardment, scrutiny from parents and teachers, insecurities, and low self-esteem. Although young people have immense potential, the world has changed so much that they are becoming an ‘endangered species’. Commonwealth Correspondent Stuti Chakraborty, 22, from India says creating safe spaces for young people to …

Creating safe spaces for young people Read More »

Food plays a huge role in bringing people together during celebrations and ceremonies in India and often the surplus food resulting from this goes to waste and ends up in landfills, all while another part of the same society sleeps hungry and malnourished. According to the UN, Indians waste 1.3 billion tonne of food every …

Indian youth wins award for feeding the hungry Read More »

The  FIDE World Chess Championship 2018 is scheduled for this month in London, England  and Devanshi Rathi 18 years old,  a Correspondent from New Delhi, India now based in California, USA is a lover of the game. She argues that beyond building critical thinking and mental skills in able-bodied competitors, the sport of kings also creates …

Blind players are no pawns in the game of chess Read More »

The media plays an instrumental role in any democracy, and as such the freedom of the media is perhaps one of the most visible indicators of a functioning democracy, writes Victor Ndede, 21, a Correspondent from Eldoret, Kenya, as he examines the fundamental role of the media in the electoral process. One of the greatest …

“Media’s role in an electioneering period” Read More »

Developing a healthy sense of self is a necessary part of life’s journey, writes Brenda McWilson, 22, a Correspondent from Nigeria and studying in Canada, who says the first step is to avoid comparisons with others. Some people need to embark on a journey of self-recovery and metanoia. You are a complete package and have no …

“Youths need to know and value themselves” Read More »

A sweeping deportation order will amount to more suffering for Haiti, writes Renice Bostic, 23, a Correspondent from Christ Church in Barbados, as she calls for international attention to the human rights crisis. After shedding blood and sweat in the fight against slavery, and subsequently paving the way for its abolition, Haitians and their descendants …

“#HaitianLivesMatter- the overlooked crisis” Read More »

The United States Supreme Court made a long-awaited and historic decision on same-sex marriage, but as David Masengesho, 28, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kigali in Rwanda currently residing in the USA writes, the decision does not mean the end of the LGBT community’s struggle for equal human rights.  June 26, 2015, marked a historical day …

“Our tomorrow: LGBT moves to the future” Read More »

While education is a highly-valued goal, there can be hurdles along the way. Nutifafa Geh, 29, a Correspondent from Ho in Ghana, writes that sharing stories about those struggles is one way of solving problems and helping students. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and unlike the way I normally spend my break time, I …

“Championing education by telling stories” Read More »

Small island developing states are especially vulnerable to external economic and environmental shocks. At the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa, 1-4 September, the Commonwealth is partnering with the United Nations, governments and international organisations to help build the resilience of these countries. Part of the discussion, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, 27, …

SIDS 2014: "Why this summit is so important for SIDS and young people" Read More »