The millennial generation has been criticised as self-indulgent and lacking in the discipline to meet traditional goals in life. Hsin-Yi Lo, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Melbourne, Australia, presents a different view of the hurdles facing her generation. Young Australian property developer Tim Gurner kicked up a social media storm when he claimed millennials can afford their …
A shocking experience led Shannay Williams, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from St. Thomas in Jamaica, to think about social problems from the viewpoint of those most affected – and to consider who is responsible for the solutions. It was sometime after 5:00 pm. I remember leaving the University of West Indies Mona in a taxi …
A ten day programme of meditation taught Mridul Upadhyay, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi in India, about one of India’s ancient disciplines and how it still applies to modern life. ‘How strange it is that we want control over others, while we are a slave of our own feelings completely.’ When one is …
Reading history gave Jake Elson, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bunbury in Australia, insight into a political and social trend that he argues could threaten the democratic progress of past generations. Not long ago, I began reading Zimbabwean politician David Coltart’s book The Struggle Continues. Whilst I am only at the beginning, it provides a …
Small crowds for international cricket in Trinidad are not about lack of interest in the game, writes Shastri Sookdeo, 28, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad now living in Amsterdam, but are evidence of ongoing issues with local management of the sport. The crowds for the 1st and 2nd One Day Internationals (ODI) featuring India and …
The UN has adopted the Convention Against Torture, but Ronald Tukachungurwa, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala in Uganda, argues that states must do more to ensure they are in compliance with the UN and constitutional laws. On certain Ugandan streets, billboards are hung with a message condemning torture, while in hospitals, schools, police stations …
The campaign against FGM is reaching out to a wider audience, writes Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Benin City, Nigeria, who describes advocacy training for a network of social media users in southern Nigeria. Due to the increasing number of social media users in Nigeria and the need to reach out to them, …
Diversity is a valued quality, writes Chanda Katema, 19, a Correspondent from Lusaka in Zambia now studying in India, but living with diversity can challenge one’s perceptions. In the middle of the conversation I stand wondering what is going on. Perhaps it’s just another language I don’t comprehend. Diversity is something to be proud of, but I …
Tutoring a refugee student gave Debra Grace Lim Jia-En, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Malaysia, opportunity to learn about gaps in the rights and protections that are offered when people are forced to flee war or disaster. It was at a local NGO that I first met Sayyaf (not his real name), a 10-year-old Rohingya …
The media’s job is to challenge institutions on behalf of the public interest. But Aisha Anne Habiba, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Mombasa in Kenya, raises concern about restrictions on media curtail that ability. Media houses in Kenya are facing increasing pressure from ordinances that interfere with the concept of media freedom. Though Kenya has …