Women in Pakistan live under threat of violence no matter what their socio-economic level, writes Naseema Perveen, 21, of Islamabad in Pakistan. Some legislation has been enacted to address the violence, but she argues it will not be effective until women have freedom of speech. Mukhtar Mai, Fakhra Younis, Samia Sarwar… these are women victimized …

“Legislation by a broken system is not going to work” Read More »

Protests in Bangladesh continue as hundreds of thousands demand justice for four-decade-old war crimes, writes Mehzabin Ahmed, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, who says the spirit of participation could signal a new era. Life stopped in its tracks as millions of people across Bangladesh held a candlelight vigil from wherever they could …

“Life stopped in its tracks as millions show support” Read More »

Sixty-one years ago this week, devastating rain caused death and destruction in the English village of Lynmouth. Ryan Bachoo, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad and Tobago, says the catastrophe may have been the result of human effort to manipulate weather. Thirty-five people died and entire buildings by the dozens were destroyed when a severe …

“Could this have been the first weather warfare?” Read More »

Forty years after the end of Mao’s effort to create a classless society, a middle class has emerged in China, writes Osmi Anannya, 25, from Dhaka, Bangladesh. It’s a sector of the population that is making a mark on Chinese society. The Communist Party in China is facing increasing criticism from the country’s middle class. …

“Complex and diverse – the middle class in China is emerging” Read More »

High hopes for Nigeria in the 2013 African’s Cup football tournament were dashed in the first two games, only to rebound through a team effort that is a lesson in determination, writes Ayodeji Morakinyo, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria.  Nigerians were hoping to see their National team perform remarkably right from the initial stages …

“Millions of Nigerian fans from around the world were shocked” Read More »

Social media networks have enough users to populate a continent, writes Biodun Awosusi, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria. Even as its many platforms evolve, social media is bringing people together and powering organizations, marketing and government. Our world is changing fast. Social media informs many aspects of our life. The technology has transformed every …

"Social media has the capacity to change our world" Read More »

Politics is an inescapable fact of society, writes Bernard Lim, 19, of Singapore, but when government provides education and freedom of speech, active citizens contribute constructively to the national debate. Politics has been vilified for its ability to evoke imagery of sex scandals (cue Malaysian politician Chua Soi Lek and American politician Anthony Wiener’s sex-texts), …

“Active Citizenry is a third line of defense” Read More »

Citizens working together as a civil society can have an impact on development even in nations with fragile governance, writes Naseema Perveen, 21, of Islamabad in Pakistan. A first step is to promote education. Civil society could have momentous impact on development, especially in states where the government is fragile. By pooling resources and mobilizing …

“The success of a nation can depend on the role of civil society” Read More »

An exchange program gave Mridul Upadhyay, 21, of New Delhi, India, opportunity to explore South Korea’s cultural sites and learn about its economy. But staying with a host family gave the best insight into Korean life and attitudes.  Cross-cultural exchange is the best way to share and learn for a better world. As a youth …

“Home stay with a Korean family was the best part” Read More »

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