Youth are often viewed as instigators of conflict and violent extremism, but Sesame O. Mogotsi, 24, a Correspondent from Gaborone in Botswana, argues the narrative is steadily shifting. Young peace advocates have long contended that the capacities of youth and the possibilities of youth in preventing and resolving conflict are essential to building sustainable peace and security, and …

“Youth are not the violence around them” Read More »

The possibility of a catastrophic standoff among nuclear-armed countries translates into a grave phase and a diplomatic crisis for the rest of the world, writes Ope Adetayo, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos, Nigeria. It began as an arms race where everyone built an arsenal of devastating magnitude on the pretext of protecting territorial integrity and …

“Questions for a world on a precipice” Read More »

 An  independent film maker from Gambia has been recognised for his humanitarian work, writes Sesame O. Mogotsi, 24, a Correspondent from Gaborone in Botswana. Social justice activist and human rights defender, Ibrahim Ceesay from Gambia was awarded the Pan-African Humanitarian Award under the Youth Advocacy and Nation Building award category at the recently held Pan …

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Nature has benefited humans in myriad ways, writes Faisal Saleh Yaqub, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lahore in Pakistan, and can serve as a model for solving today’s problems. The invention of the airplane was inspired by nature. The Wright brothers were able to solve the problems in its design by keenly observing flying birds. Similarly, …

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An overheard conversation leads Abasifreke Godwin Edem, 22, a Correspondent from Uyo in Nigeria, to speak up about the need to work for reconciliation and peace. Sitting back on a cushion seat of a mini bus right behind the driver’s seat and looking through the glass window, I was trying to meditate on what was …

“We should have learned from the first one” Read More »

Societies are defined by beliefs that are intrinsic to the people, writes Ope Adetayo, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos, Nigeria. Because human existence cannot be isolated from religious influence, the question is how differing beliefs influence law and co-exist within society.  Every society tends to preserve the absolutes of its beliefs. Since a country is …

“Society includes a plurality of beliefs” Read More »

An international visit from London’s mayor gave Faisal Saleh Yaqub, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lahore in Pakistan, opportunity to reflect on peace and cooperation as well as trade and investment. Recently, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, made a historic trip to India and Pakistan, on a tour that visited six cities in six days with …

“Mayor’s message of peace and prosperity” Read More »

We don’t know the future. We don’t know what will happen in one hour, tomorrow, or next year, writes Isah Babayo, 28, a Correspondent from Gombe in Nigeria, but that uncertainty does not stop us striving for the future we want to create. Even if you have something planned, you don’t know if you will be …

“Peace is in the future I want to create” Read More »

Another attack on school children raises questions about commitment to security, writes Ope Adetayo, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos, Nigeria, who argues both government and the public need to reassess their attitudes.  The Nigerian consciousness has once again been deeply disturbed by the replay of a piece of history that is yet to be …

“Like Chibok, another deadly tragedy to come” Read More »