To help dismantle the silos that plague society’s civil discourse, Mary-Jean Nleya, 24, a Correspondent from Botswana, sat down with Ms. Carol – a woman who sits daily on an Oxford street – to learn about life at the grassroots level. Their discussion covered politics, art, business, the economy and mental health care. Q: Hello. Please …

“I am at the bottom of the pile, but all are equal” Read More »

  Controversy has engulfed the International Criminal Court, which since 2002 has been asked to prosecute genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. McPherlain Chungu, 21, a Correspondent from Zambia now studying in India, writes that protests and changing attitudes are challenging the ICC’s role in Africa, and raise question about alternatives to the court. …

“Africa and the ICC – a dividing question” Read More »

Myths and misunderstanding surround albinism, writes Paul Odhiambo, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nairobi in Kenya. Although rates of the genetic condition are higher in African than in North America or Europe, inadequate information is still a common problem. What is albinism? Albinism is an inherited genetic disorder that decreases the quantity of melanin pigment, generated …

“What you should know about albinism” Read More »

Decades of civil war ended with South Sudan’s independence in July 2011, but as McPherlain Chungu, 21, a Correspondent from Zambia now studying in India notes, women remain vulnerable in times of conflict. He argues the solution requires a change in approach. South Sudan was declared an independent state on July 9th 2011 after its …

“South Sudan conflict has equality lessons” Read More »

Young people with disabilities have numerous concerns, especially in the developing world, writes Vibhu Sharma, 24, a Correspondent from Delhi in India, who notes the problems created by discrimination and social exclusion. It is difficult for most students with visual impairment to seek admission in general schools. Lack of adequate school infrastructure, unawareness amongst teachers …

“Educational inclusiveness for the disabled” Read More »

Protest has long been a part of the interaction between the people and the institutions that have power over them. Aïdêè Amba, 20, a Correspondent from Calabar in Nigeria, writes that peaceful protest has a place in society, but violent protest is counter-productive. When citizens of a country or a group of people disagree with …

“Society can say yes to peaceful protest” Read More »

The Commonwealth Youth Human Rights and Democracy Network (CYHRDN) has appointed a strong leadership team after a long adjudication process with over 150 applications. Following the strategic meeting for young people in June 2016, two open calls for membership and leadership roles, a high volume of applications and consecutive adjudication processes took place. This process …

Press Release: Commonwealth Youth Human Rights and Democracy Network Read More »

On the dirt road from Wellawaya to Buttala, there stood two little shacks in a small expanse of garden. One would often spot an elderly gentleman there dressed in a sarong and simple baniyan, writes Annemari de Silva, 27, a Correspondent in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as she tells the story of a respected community builder. …

“Honouring the legacy of a community hero” Read More »

India can rightly claim to be making continuous efforts to look after persons with disabilities, writes Vibhu Sharma, 24, a Correspondent from Delhi in India, but the issue now is to implement the laws that are on the books. In 1997, India set up a corporation to provide loans to disabled people to facilitate their economic …

“Women with disabilities can earn a living” Read More »

Education is perceived to be a tool for unlocking the world of ignorance. But as Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan, 22, a Correspondent from Benin City, Nigeria, writes, studies show no strong connection between level of education and awareness about – or support of – female genital mutilation. It was just a few years into her induction as a …

“Formal education and FGM: two parallel lines” Read More »