A hostage-taking in Sydney shook Australia’s sense of security, writes Jake Elson, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bunbury in Australia, but the response has been respect for quiet heroism and a demonstration of the country’s tolerance. Shocked, devastated and infuriated. That is how I feel about the Sydney hostage crisis only a few days back. Shocked, because …

"The roughest day in Australian history" Read More »

As the Christmas and New Year’s festive season approaches, Harnoor Gill, 16, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Georgetown in Canada, has some green ideas about ways to spread peace and joy. I always wondered about the meaning of peace; whether it is a conflict resolution or more than that. I got my answer when I realized that …

"Make peace your own way this holiday season!" Read More »

Youths have a role to play in the nation’s ambitious strategy plan, writes Alphonse Akouyu, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bamenda in Cameroon as the country prepares to celebrate National Youth Week. I’s February 2015 and once again the winds of the National Youth Week have begun blowing across Cameroon. In Bamenda students, pupils and other …

"Youth and peace for an emerging Cameroon" Read More »

Tribalism has been cited as the cause of conflict in Kenya, but Brian Dan Migowe, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kenya, says the fight against terrorism means looking beyond ethnic boundaries. I am from a country of 42 tribes; a great diversity worthy of appreciation, yet on the contrary for many it is the source of all …

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Craig Dixon, aka Juleus Ghunta, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Jamaica, interviews Herbert Bangura, executive director of Young Peace Builders (YPB), a youth-led social advocacy organisation based in Freetown, Sierra Leone (SL).  In this interview they talk about issues including the legacies of SL’s civil war, recent political tensions, Ebola and YPB’s work and plans. Juleus Ghunta …

"Peace building – an interview with Herbert Bangura" Read More »

A horrific massacre prompts Joshua Orawo, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kenya, to question who is responsible for sharing information and warnings about terrorist activity. The events of Thursday the 2nd April, 2015, will remain in the minds of most Kenyan folks for several decades and in others forever, especially those directly affected by the …

"Thursday the 2nd April… day of doom at Garissa" Read More »

It’s easy to oppose racism, but as Abdullah Al Hasan, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, points out, lingering prejudices can undermine the effort to achieve equality. We live in a world where we raise our voices for the things – and yet we don’t even try to change those very things in …

“Racism continues, hidden and unintentionally” Read More »

Deadly terrorist attacks have Kenyans searching for answers. Judith Akoth, 23, a Correspondent from Kisumu in Kenya, argues that creating positive schools and homes can counter the recruitment efforts of radicals. Following Garrisa University attack, there have been various expert opinions on how to tackle such atrocities to ensure minimum damages. Many suggested withdrawal of the …

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Interaction with others and among nations can frequently require the call for forgiveness, writes Harnoor Gill, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Georgetown in Canada, who recommends practicing forgiveness every day. Forgiveness is defined as the action of being able to forgive others as well as being forgiven yourself. As people interact with others around them, …

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Examining the factors behind terrorism is a means to combat the threat, writes Humphrey Musila, 25, a Correspondent from Kenya now studying in the United States, but the process involves asking hard questions. My heart goes out to the victims of the terrible and senseless attack that took place on 2nd of April 2015 at Kenya’s …

“Terrorism – who will come to the rescue?” Read More »