MaryJean Nleya, from Botswana, reviews the 11th Commonwealth Youth Forum held in London, where the 53 Commonwealth nations were represented by young leaders and their heads of government.   The anticipated Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 (CHOGM) kicked off in London and Windsor as 53 national flags of all Commonwealth nations-states lined and flew in …

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Young people play a critical role in improving Commonwealth countries. Mary-Jean Nleya, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Botswana,  shares highlights from a recent training programme in London to help Commonwealth youth leaders improve their skills.  “Unforgettable” is probably how some of the Commonwealth youth leaders would describe their experience sharing ideas with the Duke and Duchess …

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Young people can be a force for good or evil in their community writes Wathsaridu Karunarathna,  26, a Correspondent from Sri Lanka, who argues that youth-centric programmes are needed to create what is known as the 5th space. This is a space where young people can develop their own views of themselves and the world …

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Tertiary education is important, writes Solo Matthewsella, a  Correspondent from Suva, Fiji, who says despite its importance perhaps too much emphasis is placed on this path to youth development in the Pacific Islands. Meanwhile too little attention is given to exploring other development and employment pathways for the vast majority of young people in his …

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A growing youth population poses both challenges and opportunities for Pakistan, writes Faisal Saleh Yaqub, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lahore in Pakistan, who argues that the Pakistani state must address some critical issues to ensure the youth bulge is positive for the country. According to Pakistan’s National Human Development Report 64% of Pakistan’s population …

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YOUTH WORK WEEK SPECIAL: Youth work is not a recognised profession in most developing countries. But with hundreds of highly skilled and talented young people leaving Nigeria each year in search of greener pastures, Abisola Onatoye, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Ogun State in Nigeria, asks whether youth workers can help motivate young people to …

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Imagine living the life of a young person. Twenty-four-hour social media bombardment, scrutiny from parents and teachers, insecurities, and low self-esteem. Although young people have immense potential, the world has changed so much that they are becoming an ‘endangered species’. Commonwealth Correspondent Stuti Chakraborty, 22, from India says creating safe spaces for young people to …

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You can now apply to attend the Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) in Kigali, Rwanda. CYF takes place from 20 to 23 June 2020. About 500 young leaders from 54 member countries will attend and build consensus on key challenges and opportunities facing young people. These include: employment climate change gender equality innovation peacebuilding On 26 June, leaders will …

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Apply now if you want to represent the Commonwealth’s 1.4 billion young people on the Commonwealth Youth Council. Have you got what it takes? What you’ll do You will: serve Commonwealth young people from 2020 to 2022 run, manage and develop the Commonwealth Youth Council join and organise workshops, advisory panels help make policy recommendations …

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