In Barbados, people learn the hard way that life doesn’t always go to plan.  A little help is welcome, writes Leigh-Ann Worrell, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from St. Thomas, but you can’t always rely on others. “God helps those who help themselves.” – Algernon Sidney There is nothing wrong with asking for assistance. As the world continues to look down …

"Sometimes life happens. Not everything always goes the way we planned" Read More »

Many young people graduating from tertiary studies are keen to work hard in their first place of employment, even to the point of working too hard or for too long. However as McKell Institute Research Fellow Christopher Angus articulates, this ‘vicious circle’ could have serious long-term impacts for not just the individual, but society as …

“Put ‘reasonable’ back in reasonable overtime” 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 …

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Youth unemployment is a discouraging fact, but Advira Shand, 24, a Correspondent from Manchester in Jamaica, says policy changes and activism can pave the way to solutions. It has become customary to see scores of educated unemployed Jamaican youths lining streets in an attempt to gain access to employment. Growing up I was fed daily with the …

"Youths are unsuspecting victims of unemployment" Read More »

Youth entrepreneurs are powering Africa’s growth, writes Amina Adhan, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nairobi, Kenya, as she describes one innovator’s challenges, success and vision.  Africa’s dynamic growth is not only driven by established companies but also by innovative youth led entrepreneurship. From ingenious social ventures that address social economic problems to businesses that reignite the …

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As young leaders and Youth Ministers meet in Antigua and Barbuda for the Caribbean Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CR-CYMM). Lyn-Marie Blackman, 28, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, outlines the obstacles young people from the region must overcome. “Youth unemployment is at an all time high”, “HIV among the youth is on the rise”, and “Entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly popular …

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Fish is a growing part of the diet for many Africans, and as Obongifreke Friday, 27, a Correspondent from Akwaibom in Nigeria writes, fish farming can be an economic and employment opportunity.  Agriculture is no doubt one of the major contributors to the economy of Nigeria; a very clear picture of this could be seen in …

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Unemployment is a problem for both rural and urban youth, but Naseema Perveen, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Islamabad in Pakistan, writes that technology can lead the way to opportunity and jobs. Youth unemployment in urban and rural areas of Pakistan has been a matter of concern over the past decade. Data from the Labour Force …

“ICT: an antidote for unemployment” Read More »

Young people play an integral role in advancing development, democracy and peace. At the 10th Commonwealth Youth Forum in Malta, 21-25 November, over 400 youth leaders will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing young people, and devise relevant policy solutions through four main agendas – economic, environmental, social and political. The theme of the Forum is ‘Adding …

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Finding employment after graduation is a daunting challenge, but Joshua Orawo, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kenya, says a record of volunteer experience can help. The education system in Kenya and most African countries has been criticised on various occasions as focusing on producing employment oriented people as opposed to job creators and potential employers. …

“Volunteerism as a relief to unemployment” Read More »