Empowerment of women has a strong association with strengthening males, writes Asim Nawaz Abbassi, 30, a Commonwealth alumni from Islamabad, Pakistan, because it encourages women to live better and brings benefits to all. Strengthening women lets men have the courage to speak up. That strengthening is shown by allowing all people to be selfless, hardworking, multitasking, …

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The transgender community typically faces pervasive discrimination, but Sarmad Shahbaz Bhutta, 19, a Correspondent in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, notes that Pakistan is taking steps to eliminate inequality and ensure rights for transgender people. The transgender community is one of the most overlooked and severely treated of communities. These people never had their rights to live, not only in …

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Domestic workers are an essential yet almost invisible part of many households, writes Monica Islam, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, who argues for the recognition and fair treatment of these household members. Bangladeshi families are familiar with the word bua or bai. It has become the Bengali or Hindi equivalent of “maid …

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Questions about faith and belief have Sarmad Shahbaz Bhutta, 19, a Correspondent in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, looking at the connection between humanity and religion. What is the basic necessity of a human’s faith and belief? Ever wondered why are we in this world? What’s the cause of our birth? Humanity is one of the most acceptable …

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by Cody Mitchell Technology growth has changed much about how we live our lives. Cody B. Mitchell, 16, a Correspondent from Moree, Australia, says there is a down side to constant technology, and argues for limits on its use. The early 21st century saw the ‘Digital Revolution’ spread like wildfire throughout the developed world. By 2010, …

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The role of women in today’s changing world has found and strengthened new identities, writes Amit Jain, 26, a Correspondent from Pune, India, who argues that in spite of change, women remain crucial in shaping a community. The world is breaking away from old traditions. With radical changes being seen all around us, there is one …

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Growing food at home has benefits beyond providing nutritious food, writes Bhagya Wijayawardane, 28, a Correspondent from Colombo, Sri Lanka. She’s working to bring home gardens to marginalised urban residents. As part of the local effort to fight food insecurity, eliminate vitamin A deficiency and nutritional blindness, and to improve physical growth among school children …

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Education about a nation’s history and culture is essential to creating the social fabric that leads to good citizenship and leadership, writes Abdullah Al Hasan, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh.  Every country has its own history and culture. Every country has a long tale to tell. The way the current world is …

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As the Earth’s population rises and resources are depleted, new resources are in demand, writes Bhagya Wijayawardane, 28, a Correspondent from Colombo, Sri Lanka. She argues sustainable development will be the only option for cities and regional development. The question I’d like to ask the world’s political leaders is: Whether they have the will to make the …

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The concept of local food has a new meaning for nutrition and the economy, writes Bhagya Wijayawardane, 29, a Correspondent from Colombo, Sri Lanka, who advocates “food forests” for urban and rural dwellers. Once I visited the lovely forest of Belipola in the lush hills of Sri Lanka’s Uva Province, which also happens to be …

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