In Africa, social networks are gradually undermining traditional community relationships, argues Roland Uwakwe, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Abuja, Nigeria. He says youths absorbed in the online world now rarely greet or respect their elders. Social networks with their good and bad influences are here to stay. To contemplate otherwise is to live behind the …

“Social networking creates insincere friendships” Read More »

When U.S. President Barack Obama first ran for president in 2008, he promised to end the Iraq War, grow energy independence, and provide universal health care. Commonwealth Correspondent Osmi Anannya, 25, from Dhaka, Bangladesh, looks at his first term record. The U.S. Presidential Elections of November 6, 2012 put Barack Obama back in the White …

“He became the first-ever African American to be elected president” Read More »

Controversy over Foreign Direct Investment in India’s retail market has raised a political storm, but Tabish Azeem, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Gaya, India, argues it’s a positive step that will provide needed jobs and increase desperately low farm income while offering consumers new options.  When India’s economist Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh announced the …

“Retail giants to tap the promising Indian market” Read More »

In today’s interconnected world there’s no room for indifference to events like the recent U.S. Presidential election, says Denise Juvane, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Mozambique now living in England. Election results will have an impact on the powerful U.S. as well as on countries directly and indirectly connected to it. “U.S. elections don’t affect …

“The U.S. elections do matter” Read More »

The challenge of developing good leaders is one of the most important issues facing Africa, writes Femi Asu, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria. He says youth have a responsibility to meet that challenge by casting off apathy and using their energy and new opportunities to jump-start Africa’s future. The challenge of great …

“We have what it takes to transform Africa” Read More »

  Achieving goals means shattering the mental or emotional boundaries that may have been imposed from our earliest years, writes Craig Dixon, aka Juleus Ghunta, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Jamaica. That ground-breaking step is harder for those who have faced life-long discouragement or dismal socio-cultural circumstances, but he offers five steps to help the …

"Examining life is the beginning of becoming free" Read More »

A training session sponsored by the Discovering Young Leaders Program underlines the fact that self appraisal is the first step for community development, writes Biodun Awosusi, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria. He says every youth leader must understand himself in order to make a meaningful impact on society.  Five weeks on a youth leadership …

“Five weeks on a youth leadership course deepened my self-awareness” Read More »

Libya has undergone a significant transformation since the toppling of dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. As efforts to turn the war-torn country into a flourishing democracy accelerate, young people are playing an increasingly pivotal role. Francis Ventura, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent based in Melbourne, Australia, asked Ms Ayat Saleh Mneina, the Founder of Shabab Libya, the Libyan Youth Movement, about the country’s …

"We want to interact with the world as we begin to rebuild Libya" Read More »

Calling all youth filmmakers!  Each year, UNICEF publishes a report called State of the World’s Children. Next year, the theme is on children with disabilities.  We’d like hear your voice, so send us a one minute video reflecting your perspective on disabilities. ThemeChildren living with disabilities have the same rights as all children: the right to live …

"It's About Ability!" Youth Video Contest Read More »

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