Violence in Burundi is creating refugees and poses a risk to neighbouring countries, writes Joshua Orawo, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kenya, who argues for new leadership in the mediation process. Burundi is killing her own, and the continent and the world seem to be watching from a safe distance. Even the countries immediately neighbouring Burundi …
Young peacebuilders from Commonwealth countries in Africa are set to establish a regional youth peacebuilding network, following a connection and capacity building event held by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Institute of Strategic Dialogue (ISD) in Kigali, Rwanda from 11-13 February. The Kigali event, a partnership between the Commonwealth and ISD, is part of an …
Young peacebuilders form activism network in Commonwealth Africa Read More »
Felix Byaruhanga of Uganda speaks about his experience at the Commonwealth YouthCAN Innovation Lab, held in Rwanda in February 2016. On 10 February I made my way to the Commonwealth YouthCAN Innovation Lab in Kigali. Immediately, the enthusiasm with which everyone introduced themselves was more welcoming and affirming that everyone was here to share and …
‘One of my most exhilarating experiences’ – YouthCan Read More »
Security and diplomacy are global concerns, especially when conflict or disaster strikes. But Christine Shahbenderian, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nicosia in Cyprus, argues that humanitarian diplomacy has a strong role in global problem-solving. A defining feature of 21st century globalization is the increasing complexity of global relations and the rapidity with which information ricochets around …
Mirrors reflect the surface image, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, but a valuable life reflects a deeper attitude. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who possesses the most genuine attitude of them all? Everyday billions of people all over the world embrace or reject the imagery in their mirror. A mirror is meant …
Overcoming the effects of colonisation and building equality means creating peace and justice for all members of society, writes Bonolo Madibe, 20, a Correspondent from South Africa now living in the UK. Donald Trump’s uneducated, divisive and, quite frankly, fascist views have been accompanied by those of Oxford scholar Ntokozo Qwabe. Recently, Qwabe made headline …
Technology that was hoped to bring relief from tedious work seems to have brought unrelenting bad news instead, but Bryan Obaji, 25, a Correspondent from Calabar in Nigeria, argues the solution is to maintain a focus on empathy and peace. When I listen to the news on radio and on television, there are too many bad issues …
History books focus on wars and conflicts but give little space to peace, writes Mridul Upadhyay, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi, who notes that peace is valued but is poorly defined and difficult to achieve. Our history books are filled with dates related to wars, raids, massacre and change in dynasties. In history, peace has a small …
Last month’s visit to Nigeria by the US Secretary of State was viewed by some as divisive, but Usman Muhammad, 29, a Correspondent from Nigeria now studying in the UK, says Kerry gave Nigerians a lesson in how to heal differences by embracing community. John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, recent made his third visit …
Building and maintaining peace must include efforts to provide food security, writes Azinwi Ngum, 25, a Correspondent from Cameroon, who says there is need to solve the food insecurity problems that can be the cause – or the result – of conflict. With increasing conflicts within the African continent, development agencies and governments have begun to explore the linkages between …