Festivals celebrate culture and affirm national identity, writes Atikul Islam, 24, a Correspondent from Bogra in Bangladesh as he describes the events that mark Bangla New Year. Pahela Baishakh is the first day of the Bangla New Year and the first day of Bangla’s new month, Baishakh. Pahela Baishakh is celebrated more or less all …

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Indulging in a five-day festival gave Madusha Erandi, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka, new understanding and appreciation of a neighbouring culture. A five-day long event gave me an immense amount of experience and knowledge about Indian society and culture. It happened when I participated in the South Asian Universities Festival, or SAUFEST, as …

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On Father’s Day we show respect and appreciation for the role fathers play, but as Harnoor Gill, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Georgetown in Canada, notes, it can also be a day for community celebration. “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” – Jim Valvano. Jim …

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Being unexpectedly cut off from the internet and Wi-Fi access is frustrating, but as Harmanan Singh, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Mumbai in India writes,there are lessons to be learned when one ventures offline. Charles Darwin was an English naturalist who first introduced the theory of evolution of man. From the early cavemen to the …

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The entertainment business is creating new career options for young people, writes Moses Mokoanene, 25, a Correspondent from Lethakeng in Botswana, who describes the life of a DJ. Being a disc jockey is a growing talent every youth wants, and be one male or female, it does suit all. In Letlhakeng, I managed to meet …

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A twist on oral tradition is giving a new voice to youth, writes Latoyaa Roberts, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad and Tobago, who says the powerful format carries a message for world-wide audiences.  In the Caribbean, oral traditions have always been a part of our culture. This culture was brought to us primarily through …

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Australia celebrates multiculturalism, but as Hsin-Yi Lo, a Correspondent from Melbourne, Australia writes, the embrace of diversity is not yet reflected in workplace leadership. When you ask Australians, most will say they love multiculturalism. But the country is still far from fully embracing diversity, as unconscious bias is holding back Asian-Australians’ talents and potential for professional …

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Family ties are valuable supports, but as Oluwafemi Ogunjobi, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria writes, they do not replace the need for personal responsibility. Africans, especially, are not quick to forget the embittered family feud between sports personality Emmanuel Adebayor and his family – a story of a successful child, who did his best …

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Longer lifespan is a hallmark of development, but as Renice Bostic, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Christ Church in Barbados writes, governments and communities must be prepared to provide for an increased number of senior citizens. Ageing is a triumph of development, or so the United Nations Population Fund claims, and it is reported that …

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Quality of life is high in Perth, but as Jake Elson, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bunbury in Australia writes, unchecked growth and poor planning could threaten that status. Perth has been ranked the eighth most liveable city by The Economist’s intelligence Unit – a list dominated by other major Australian and Canadian cities[1]. It …

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