A luxurious cruise with two hundred young people was no ordinary sail, writes Fale Lesa, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Zealand. The cruise brought training and cultural exchanges that encouraged young leaders to re-evaluate their outlook on life. Some things are outside the realm of normalcy. Two hundred or so young people from all …

“This was a voyage that would change the framework of life” Read More »

Too many Australian children lack attain basic standards in reading, mathematics and science, writes Ben Duggan, a representative of the Australian Youth Forum. The time has come, he says, to stop talking and take action. Kerry O’Brien recently ended a Four Corners program ‘Growing Up Poor’ with the line: “We can tell these kids that they can …

"Our disadvantaged children are left without genuine support" Read More »

Uganda has been following Kenya’s election to see if it will suffer the same ramifications that followed the 2007 election, writes Diana Phoebe, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala. She argues it’s time for Uganda to become more self-reliant. It is that time again, when Kenya decides. This week millions of Kenyans cast their votes …

“Everything in Uganda has come to a stand-still” Read More »

As agencies and governments work to bring down tuberculosis numbers around the globe, Guyana is struggling to battle the double health threat of tuberculosis and HIV, says Mark Ross, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Guyana. Guyana has been fighting since the early 1970’s to minimize and if possible bring the incidence of tuberculosis to zero, …

“Tuberculosis is now a problem for developing countries” Read More »

Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work celebrate young people in the Commonwealth who are making a positive difference to the lives of others Four young development workers from Australia, Barbados, Kenya and Sri Lanka, were today awarded £14,000 between them for their projects. Evans Wadongo, who won both the pan-Commonwealth and Africa region …

Winners of Commonwealth Youth Awards announced Read More »

Sport for Development and Peace can only achieve optimal results when the strategy involves education and dialogue, says Alvin Ma, 21, a Correspondent from Toronto, Canada. Youth need to engage in sports and to discover their own ability to influence society. Canadian Paralympian Rick Hansen, an outspoken activist who set up a research foundation for …

"Sport is only a supplement to education" Read More »

 The rising demand for shark fin soup poses a dilemma, says Geetha Kanniah, 17, a Correspondent from Malaysia. It means more income for local fishermen, but threatens sharks and the marine ecosystem.  My favorite animal is the shark. Its elegance as it darts through the water with a robust build is what makes it so …

“Shark fin soup comes with a heavy price” Read More »

  Manipulating the weather is no longer an impossible dream, writes Ryan Bachoo, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad and Tobago. Scientists are learning to influence droughts, rain and hurricanes, and turn them into weapons. For much of history, the idea of manipulating the weather was unthinkable. Yet Serbian-American engineer Nikola Tesla had the idea …

“The world is figuring out weather weaponry” Read More »

As Malaysia readies for a general election, Bernard Lim, 19, of Singapore, looks at the political and economic events that led to a ‘tsunami’ of support for the opposition in the 2008 vote. In Malaysia’s 2008 General Elections, Barisan Nasional was thrashed by the main opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Alliance). It lost five state …

“Malaysian ‘tsunami’ created electoral debacle” Read More »

Singapore has been able to accomplish its goal of moving from a Third World to a First World country, asserts 19-year-old Aristle Tay, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Singapore. As it basks in this success, the country and its people should work steadfastly towards a narrative which builds upon the goals of all citizens. I heard …

"Scouring the Merlion's roar amidst a new age" Read More »