Small island developing states are especially vulnerable to external economic and environmental shocks. At the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa, 1-4 September, the Commonwealth is partnering with the United Nations, governments and international organisations to help build the resilience of these countries. Part of the discussion, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, 27, …

SIDS 2014: "Why this summit is so important for SIDS and young people" Read More »

Small island developing states are especially vulnerable to external economic and environmental shocks. At the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa, 1-4 September, the Commonwealth is partnering with the United Nations, governments and international organisations to help build the resilience of these countries. Khadija Holder, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad …

SIDS 2014: "Social development in Small Island Developing States" Read More »

Small island developing states are especially vulnerable to external economic and environmental shocks. At the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa, 1-4 September, the Commonwealth is partnering with the United Nations, governments and international organisations to help build the resilience of these countries. Gender issues are key to development goals, writes …

SIDS 2014: "Gender inclusion in the Pacific: reimagining the #YesAllWomen message" Read More »

Small island developing states are especially vulnerable to external economic and environmental shocks. At the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa, 1-4 September, the Commonwealth is partnering with the United Nations, governments and international organisations to help build the resilience of these countries. The International Trade Centre’s priorities at SIDS this …

SIDS 2014: "Trade and women’s economic empowerment critical, says ITC" Read More »

Small island developing states are especially vulnerable to external economic and environmental shocks. At the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa, 1-4 September, the Commonwealth is partnering with the United Nations, governments and international organisations to help build the resilience of these countries. The UN Economic Commission for Africa emphasizes the …

SIDS 2014: "Africa's small islands have huge potential, says UNEC" Read More »

Small business can the be engine for economic achievement writes Alphonse Akouyu, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bamenda in Cameroon, as he examines the potential for small enterprises to drive sustainable growth in developing countries. In every economy nowadays, small businesses are gradually becoming a force to reckon with, not just in terms of satisfying the needs …

"Small business is an asset for developing states" Read More »

Tanzania is rich in resources and potential, writes Collins Kimaro, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Tanzania, as he describes the paradox of poverty persisting in spite of those assets. The English word ‘paradox’ is derived from the Greek word ‘paradoxon’, which means contrary to expectation. With synonyms of inconsistency, absurdity or enigma, this accurately describes the confusion one …

"The Tanzanian paradox – poverty amidst potential" Read More »

The cost of attending the recent Small Island Developing States conference drew criticism from some quarters, but Lyn-Marie Blackman, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, argues the venture is an investment. ‘Samoa bound’ is the heading of the article which goes on to state that the Barbados government has sent a ten-member delegation to Samoa for …

"Barbadian sentiments about the SIDS conference" Read More »

A Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference was a chance to look at next steps, writes Alphonse Akouyu, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bamenda in Cameroon, who says benefits of membership in the Commonwealth should promote the common good. Law makers from Commonwealth countries were in Yaounde recently discussing how to reposition what some have called the …

"Commonwealth repositions for post-2015 agenda" Read More »

Sport can be a powerful means of promoting development, but Malcolm McEachern, 22, a Correspondent from Halifax, Canada, now living in the UK, argues that without adequate funding and rules the programs can fall short of their goals. The recent success of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, highlights that sport is truly an international …

"Sport for Development and Peace gets a yellow card" Read More »