YOUTHS from rural areas in Naitasiri and Nausori got a chance to speak about the issues affecting them at a two-day forum last week. The forum was organised by Live & Learn Environmental Education with the theme ‘building grassroot democracy in Fiji’ and was held at the Navatuvula Village in Naitasiri on Thursday and at …

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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. Fale Lesa, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New …

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Sustainable development can start at the local level and yet have a global impact, writes Dilshan Jayasinghe, 18, a Correspondent from Mississauga, Canada, who writes about his involvement in youth-driven international projects. Sustainable development and environmental stewardship in any society would not take place unless the populace has a keen understanding as to why such is …

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World leaders have agreed on Sustainable Development Goals, but Angelique Pouponneau, 25, a Correspondent from Victoria in the Seychelles, says meeting those goals will require the awareness and participation of young people.  With the agreement and confirmation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the Member States, it has to be asked whether …

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Engineering is aimed at problem-solving, writes Obongifreke Friday, 27, a Correspondent from Akwaibom in Nigeria, as he looks at issues the profession is prepared to tackle. This year world engineering conference and convention (WECC 2015) will be held November 28 – December 4 this year in Kyoto, Japan, with the theme “Engineering: Innovation and society”. …

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Sustainable development in a region of Cameroon is getting a boost from a British organisation, writes Alphonse Akouyu, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Cameroon, as he describes his visit to projects and the communities they serve. The 21st century has witnessed an increase in international development initiatives around the globe. Non-governmental organisations, foundations, charities and …

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This past weekend, world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York adopted new Sustainable Development Goals, an ambitious agenda that aims to end poverty, promote prosperity and to protect the environment over the next 15 years. Femi Asu, 30, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, writes that the goals mark an opportunity …

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Africa is struggling to provide its citizens with basic infrastructure, but as Fariya Abubakari, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bawku in Ghana writes, the continent has the potential to power itself and Europe with emissions-free energy. The African continent could become a gold mine for renewable energy due to abundant solar and wind resources. The …

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Sustainable growth is a goal for Sri Lanka, writes Indooshan Shanthakumaran, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Colombo in Sri Lanka, who has compiled a diary of this year’s steps toward green policies. ‘Sri Lanka goes green’ may be a political statement these days, as it is the colour of the main ruling party in the parliament. However, …

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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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