The Future We Want: Commonwealth youth voice their position at CYF 2022
June 18From the streets of India, the Commonwealth’s most populous country to the streets of Nauru, the Commonwealth’s least populous nation, young people across the Commonwealth desire a bright future. Chimaobi Omeye, a 26-year-old Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria believes that the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Forum(CYF) presents a unique opportunity for young people from the 54 member countries to influence the decisions of government leaders which will impact their future.
Before the staging of each Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), young change-makers from across the Commonwealth meet at the Commonwealth Youth Forum to exchange ideas, network and propose solutions to issues that young people are facing nationally, regionally and globally. The forum has been taking place since 1998 and the12th Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) will be held June 19 – 21 in Kigali, Rwanda under the theme ‘’Taking Charge of our Future.’’
In preparation for the three-day event, the Commonwealth Youth Networks have drafted a declaration and action plan that guide for the discussions and the drafting of the CYF communique which will be sent to heads of government at CHOGM.
The communique will share the needs, concerns and vision of 350 youth leaders on issues in areas such as:
- Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability
- Human Capital Development
- Governance, Rule of Law and Youth Involvement in Decision Making
- Health and Covid-19
- Information and Communication Technology and Innovation
- Trade, Entrepreneurship and Employment
The discussions on these thematic issues will ensure that voices of the youth who are key stakeholders in building tomorrow are heard.
Prominent young leaders including Franc Kamugyisha, the 2022 Commonwealth Young Person Year, will be speaking at CYF. He among others will be sharing the amazing development work they’ve been doing in their communities which will serve as an inspiration to others.
Chimaobi Omeye is the Commonwealth Correspondents Point of Contact and will be representing this network at CYF 2022. Reach him @Omeyech on Twitter.
To learn more about CYF 2022 visit the following link: Commonwealth Youth Forum Task Force
Photo Credit: The Commonwealth
About the writer: I am Chimaobi Omeye, a Geology graduate of the University of Nigeria. I’m currently a renewable energy (solar) mini-grid data analyst with a leading renewable energy firm in Nigeria and, most importantly, a lover of writing. The degradation of Nigeria has been of major concern to me and I hope to make a huge impact on the development of my country by writing and telling the truth even when it seems hidden. I love my career (geology), environment, renewable energy, politics and football.