The disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines jet earlier this month gripped attention around the world. Muhammad Hafiz, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, reports on the latest news briefings related to that mystery.    It’s 17 days and counting since March 8, 2014. The Malaysia-based Malaysia Airlines airplane which was supposed to …

"17 days (and counting)…. " Read More »

In post-war Sri Lanka, a robust policy on diaspora engagement remains critical to domestic stability and international relations, writes Salma Yusuf, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s three-decade-long conflict was externalized due to a combination of factors ranging from the presence of an active expatriate community abroad, the involvement of foreign facilitators in …

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The disappearance of Malaysian flight MH370 launched a massive search but also underlined the importance of communication, writes Geetha Kanniah, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Malaysia, who argues that both communication technology and style of communication are important in times of disaster. MH 370 made world headlines in the past few weeks; a sad story …

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Impressive athletic records were set at the Punjab Youth Festival, writes Faisal Saleh Yaqub, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lahore. But the festival was also a showcase for the technical talents of youth and the opportunities being created. By arranging Youth Festival 2014, the Government of Punjab provided a great opportunity for the youth to demonstrate …

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New voters have the opportunity to deeply influence India’s general election, argues Priyashree Andley, 30, a Correspondent from Delhi in India, as they use social media and debate to make leaders accountable for policy.  As India goes through its crucial General Elections 2014, quite a few unique developments are very evident. This year 150 million …

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Pakistan’s youth face daunting challenges, but Rizwan Anwar, 24, a Correspondent from Lahore in Pakistan, argues many of the obstacles are issues the government must tackle so that youth – and the country – can reach its potential. Pakistan has a large youth population. An estimated 103 million or 63 per cent of the population fall under …

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Chivalry comes from the courtly behaviour of medieval times, but Naaz Fahmida, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bangladesh, argues that deferring to the supposed sensibilities of women does not advance gender equality. Chivalry is a concept I have often struggled with. While the vast majority of times I see women eyeing the ‘gentlemen’ qualities in a …

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Should there be a standalone Youth Goal in the post-2015 development framework? Join the debate We want to know your view. Do you agree that global policymakers should set a standalone Youth Goal when a successor to the Millennium Development Goals is agreed? Learn more Join the campaign for a standalone Youth Goal.   Tweets …

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Civil war and modern human resources policies have impinged on the role of trade unions, writes Indooshan Shanthakumaran, 25, a Correspondent from Colombo in Sri Lanka, but he argues that they remain crucial to labour rights. Every year when Labour Day comes the trade unions get active; there will be parades and meetings, the city turns in to …

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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 »