Will Nicholl, 23, a Correspondent in London, UK, notes that in the aftermath of the events of the last six months, commentators have done their best to find patterns through which to make sense of the world. He argues for the need to take a longer viewpoint. Tempting though it is to pivot the narrative onto …

“Take your narcissism, the left didn’t do it” Read More »

Millions of Ghanaians turned out on December 7 to elect a new set of parliamentarians and a president who would govern the country for the next four years. Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Ghana, cast his ballot and reflects on the positive experience of a well-run national election.  As a first-time voter, …

“Ghanaians have a lot to make them proud” Read More »

Reflecting on why many are quick to exclude those who are not like them, Nnadozie Onyekuru, 28, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria now studying in the USA, finds it is easy to dismiss such people as hidebound, but a patient apprehension yields other answers. All over the world, there are people who hesitate to include others in their …

“Seeking truth leads to social inclusion” Read More »

While there is some debate about the role of the Privy Council, Jake Elson, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bunbury in Australia, argues that the critical function of justice is best determined by those who are directly affected. ‘The administration of Justice is the firmest pillar of Government’. This quote, in a letter by retired …

“The Privy Council in 21st century justice” Read More »

There is a difference between education and learning, writes Ishan Agarwal, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kolkata in India, as he argues in favour of reforms that will promote creativity and analytical thinking in a process that extends beyond the classroom. Francis Bacon observed about education that “crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them and wise …

“Education to build a better future for all” Read More »

Continued uncertainty has prompted calls for military intervention to oust the Gambia’s President in favour of the declared winner of the December presidential election, but Michael Gyekye, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Ghana, argues for a peaceful option. Just like many others on the continent and beyond, I yearn for an urgent resolution of the political deadlock in …

“Resolving the impasse in the Gambia” Read More »

The internet has come to stay, writes Emmanuel Olutokun, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, but many areas of the world still face significant hurdles to access. He looks at some of the problems and solutions. In a rapid and fast-changing world, it is quite safe to say that there still remain portions of …

“Development affects access to the internet” Read More »

Building confidence between opposing parties is a crucial step in resolving conflict, writes Christine Shahbenderian, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nicosia in Cyprus, as she looks at two important examples that employed the strategy.  Nelson Mandela once argued ‘if you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then …

“Confidence-Building Measures build peace” Read More »

Living in Canadian cities close to the American border, Alvin Ma, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Canada, has visited the United States numerous times. The past December, he visited the southwestern United States. The Chinese term for the United States of America is 美国, which stands for “beautiful country” in its literal character translation. Although the …

“Beautiful Country: needs open borders, minds” Read More »

Women in the workforce can prepare to prove themselves and set their careers a notch higher, writes Judith Akoth, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kisumu in Kenya. She has tips for those who want to change jobs, set up a business, win employee of the year award, or take a rightful place in the coveted …

“Tips on closing the boardroom gender gap” Read More »