The first worldwide index measuring the development and empowerment of young people will be launched by The Commonwealth on 19 September.   The Youth Development Index (YDI) offers an inter-country comparison of the environment for young people, aged 15 to 29, across five key areas: education, health, employment, civic participation and political participation.  The first …

Commonwealth to launch first Youth Development Index Read More »

The Youth Development Index, a new global measure of the development and empowerment of young people, was launched by The Commonwealth on 19 September. We asked contributors to YourCommonwealth.org to define youth development. Here are some of their answers: “Youth development is when there is equal opportunities for all youths to gain access to basic resources …

Youth development, as defined by young people Read More »

School dormitories provide a comfort zone where students carry out most of their co-curricular activities. But Oluwafemi Ogunjobi, 20, a Correspondent from Gbongan, Nigeria, says underneath the sweet spirit of life away from home can lurk the hazards of squatting.  Squatting is common in Nigeria’s institutions of higher education, and on many campuses is fast …

“Accommodation crisis for students on campus” Read More »

The candidates for the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Youth Council have been announced. The Commonwealth Youth Council is an autonomous youth-led body, which aims to further advance the youth development agenda and strengthen young people’s participation in the Commonwealth. Its Executive will be responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the Council. Nominees are members …

Meet the candidates for the Commonwealth Youth Council Executive Read More »

Africa needs fresh leadership to solve persistent problems, writes Abubakar Umar, 24, a Correspondent from Katsina in Nigeria, as he argues for youth to be given leadership opportunity. The youths are the leaders of tomorrow, they say. This saying I have known since infancy and I have been wondering if that’s true in its real …

"Are youths the leaders of tomorrow – or today?" Read More »

Governments, intergovernmental organisations and NGOs across the globe are being urged to get behind a Commonwealth youth-led initiative to promote sport as a tool for national development and conflict prevention.  The call from the newly established Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace working group, or CYSDP, comes on the occasion of the first ever International …

Commonwealth youth initiative backs sport for development and peace Read More »

Large international organisations tackle tough issues of development and piece, and increasingly give a voice to youth in that process. While commending the positive, Mridul Upadhyay, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi in India wonders about the efficiency of large conferences that seem to yield more talk than action. Sri Lanka was a remarkable host …

"International conferences: inspiration needs action" Read More »

The World Conference on Youth was not all policy and resolutions, writes Madusha Erandi, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Colombo in Sri Lanka. Her behind the scenes view as a delegate describes how it also gave  young people opportunity to experience the culture and landscape of Sri Lanka. The World Conference on Youth held in …

"The shine of the WCY – from one delegate's eye" Read More »

On 21 July 2014, Sports Ministers from across the 53-nation Commonwealth community meet in Glasgow, immediately prior to the Commonwealth Games. We, the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Working Group (CYSDP) will be presenting to the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting on the powerful role that youth leadership plays in Sport for Development and …

Get your voice heard at the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting Read More »

A national award identifies and promotes leadership qualities, writes Madusha Erandi, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka, who describes the program as an effective way to identify and empower upcoming youth leaders. Sri Lankan youth have a refreshing opportunity designed to encourage them to take a more dynamic step in shaping of the country’s …

"Empowering award for emerging young leaders" Read More »