Positive projections for economic growth are misleading as long as infrastructure improvements ignore the capacity to improve the rural economy, writes Munguongeyo Ivan, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala, Uganda. Uganda’s economic outlook report 2017 as usual projected that the economy would grow by five per cent in real terms before accelerating to six per …

“More rural investment could boost economy” Read More »

Elections give citizens a voice, but Lyn-Marie Blackman, a Commonwealth Correspondent alumni from Barbados, argues for methods to hold politicians accountable to citizens during the term of office. An election is a process that many of us all over this globe have gotten familiar with over time. Many of us go to the polls seeking …

“Do set terms of office serve the electorate?” Read More »

Aisha Anne Habiba, 28, a Correspondent from Mombasa in Kenya, uses the DRC as an example of the convincing evidence that conflict is a cause of poverty: a global situation that has become commonplace in contemporary society.  In his book, The Bottom Billion, Oxford professor Paul Collier provides a detailed description of people living in deplorable conditions …

“Blood minerals: the paradox of the Congo” Read More »

Child begging has almost become a culture thing in Northern Nigeria and is a normal feature in other states, writes Musa Temidayo, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria, who recently had a first-hand look at the lives of the children involved. Children between the ages of three to 15 roam the streets of Nigeria, sometimes in …

“Child beggars and the Almajiris” Read More »

Examining the myths behind epilepsy takes on a personal meaning for Ashlee Burnett, 20, a Correspondent from Couva in Trinidad. We were introduced to each other when I was 16 years old. Before that, I heard it in a dance hall song, ““Hold mi like yuh really, really, really, really miss me Baby, yuh move …

“Epilepsy awareness with the colour purple” Read More »

A proposition for a third party on the national stage has introduced a new element in Nigerian politics and interesting time for the electorate, writes Nnadozie Onyekuru, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria now studying in the USA. There is much ado in Nigeria over the electoral viability of a potential political platform that would …

“Politics facing strategic change in Nigeria” Read More »

The Brexit vote could usher in a new trade opportunity for the Commonwealth, writes Muhammed Badamasi, 22, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, who calls for the issue to be discussed at this months’ CHOGM. In June 2016, Britain conducted a referendum where British citizens decided on the fate of Britain’s continued membership in the European …

“The Commonwealth as a trading block” Read More »

A recent election gave Ariana Joseph, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Antigua and Barbuda, opportunity to reflect on the factors that can help build a strong and secure future. Recently, the nation of Antigua and Barbuda was called to action to determine which of the political parties would lead the twin island state for the …

“Powering towards our common future” Read More »

Volunteer work is a route to empowerment and skills development, writes Musa Temidayo, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria, who spoke to a number of youth doing unpaid but rewarding development work. This article examines the involvement of young people in voluntary work within various types of non-governmental organisations. Through my interactions with many other …

“Self-empowerment through volunteer work” Read More »