Pakistan has tourism potential for nature and adventure enthusiasts, writes Isar Nazir, 23, a Correspondent from Jhang in Pakistan, who tackled challenging trails to reach the spectacular beauty of mountain forests and meadows. This indeed was the most dangerous and perilous (counting only the landscape, nothing else) excursion of my life. Although I’m not the …

"A tourist expedition to Pakistan’s Fairy Meadows" Read More »

Sharks are not rare in the waters of Western Australia but the debate about how to deal with them has grown to unusual proportions, writes Jake Elson, 20, a Correspondent from Bunbury in Australia, who says government, activists and the media must all take responsibility for the acrimony and intimidation. Drum lines will not be returning …

"Explaining what’s wrong with the shark cull debate" Read More »

Tanzania is rich in resources and potential, writes Collins Kimaro, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Tanzania, as he describes the paradox of poverty persisting in spite of those assets. The English word ‘paradox’ is derived from the Greek word ‘paradoxon’, which means contrary to expectation. With synonyms of inconsistency, absurdity or enigma, this accurately describes the confusion one …

"The Tanzanian paradox – poverty amidst potential" Read More »

Learning about global food security means knowing about rice production, biodiversity, women in agriculture and climate change, as Shomira Sanyal, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi in India, discovered while attending summer school hosted by the Association of Commonwealth Universities. ‘Global Food Security: Can We Feed A Growing World?’  The theme for the 4th Association …

"The ACU Summer School 2014 on Global Food Security" Read More »

Scotland’s referendum renewed heady thoughts of independence in Barbados, but Ariela St. Pierre-Collins, 16, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, says there are benefits for Barbados as a Small Island Developing State to continue its relationship with the UK. I followed with interest the recent referendum in Scotland as its population voted on whether or not to …

"What SIDS can learn from Scotland's referendum" Read More »

The cost of attending the recent Small Island Developing States conference drew criticism from some quarters, but Lyn-Marie Blackman, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, argues the venture is an investment. ‘Samoa bound’ is the heading of the article which goes on to state that the Barbados government has sent a ten-member delegation to Samoa for …

"Barbadian sentiments about the SIDS conference" Read More »

Current standards for measuring economic growth do not consider the environmental cost of that growth, writes Indooshan Shanthakumaran, 25, a Correspondent from Colombo in Sri Lanka, who reports on efforts by some economists to devise “green” accounting systems. I recently had a chance to attend the academic session of the Sri Lanka Economic association, the most …

"Accounting for the environment in the GDP" Read More »

Grasshoppers become a lucrative delicacy as Alphonse Akouyu, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bamenda in Cameroon, learns when he explores the hazards of catching and the tricks of cooking the winged treats. The dry season is already approaching here in Bamenda, Cameroon, and this to some extent signifies the coming of the festive season. However, there is …

"Mungwin season brings risks and delicacies" Read More »

Mobile phone use is up sharply in Cameroon, and the provider options are growing. Alphonse Akouyu, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bamenda in Cameroon, reports that adds up to a new numbering system that means work for customers but opportunity for the future. The 21st century has witnessed a massive growth in mobile technologies, with most developing …

"Phone numbers in Cameroon now one digit longer" Read More »

In the search for sustainability, Harmanan Singh, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Mumbai in India, suggests  a bright future could be found by making use of naturally-occurring fluorescence. Sustainable living is a lifestyle that strikes a cordial relationship between civilizations and the environment. Societies must strive to attain an optimum condition where an ecosystem is conserved. …

"Nature provides a substitute for electric lights" Read More »