“Youth voices gained an international platform”

Youth at the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Sri Lanka had the opportunity to influence the agenda, writes Mridul Upadhyay, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi, India, who says the gathering also demonstrated the Commonwealth’s commitment to youth.

Whether it is Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka or Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, every youth-related official at the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Sri Lanka was optimistic and supportive toward youth, believing in our capabilities and dreams. 

Media from all over the word has already covered many aspects of the CHOGM. This article is not about the details. Instead it is to help the youth of all Commonwealth countries realize that an effectual and results-oriented organization, the Commonwealth, is fully dedicated to support you through its various youth programs. 

This article is to make you believe that there are people working for you. They have ideas for you and dedication for you. There is just a simple request from them; ‘keep your faith in doing well’. 

Sessions exceeded the scheduled times as the maximum number of voices tried to be heard. Though the delegates were near beaches with all the facilities in a beautiful city, they avoided the pleasure to positively fulfill the expectations of the Commonwealth youth. They did not want this forum to be just another fun forum, rather a result-oriented one. 

Your voices have been heard on the international platform through various Commonwealth countries’ youth delegations and various social media platforms. Your impressive thoughts were discussed in session and have been taken into account during the final draft of national and Commonwealth agendas on topics of particular interest to young people under the theme ‘Inclusive Development – Stronger Together!’ 

It was one of the biggest and most important youth forums. It is also about the largest and most diverse youth body in the world, the new first-ever Commonwealth Youth Council, representing 1.2 billion youth people of the Commonwealth. 

Leaders serving a two-year term until the Council General Assembly in Mauritius in 2015 are: 

Chairperson:  Ahmed Adamu (Nigeria)
Vice Chairperson – Policy, Advocacy and Projects:  Sudharshana Lakshmi (India)
Vice Chairperson – Partnerships and Resources:  Sadham Zarjahan (Sri Lanka)
Vice Chairperson – Inclusion and Engagement:  Mohamed Husni (Sri Lanka)
Regional Representative – Africa and Europe: Kiziah Philbert (Kenya)
Regional Representative – Asia:  Tharika Dileepani (Sri Lanka)
Regional Representative – Caribbean and the Americas:  Royden Beharry (Grenada)
Regional Representative – Pacific:  Harry James (Solomon Islands)
Representative – Special Interest Groups: Wathsala Samarakoon (Sri Lanka) 

“The Commonwealth youth have made a history to be remembered for centuries to come, I want first to congratulate you for being a part of this historical turning point in the history of Commonwealth. Our meeting with the Heads of Government today was fruitful. We received generous support and recognitions. All the heads/presidents of governments within Commonwealth are ready to partner and support the Commonwealth Youth Council. This was followed by immediate donation of $100,000 by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Government heads of Sri Lanka, India, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, St. Lucia, Samoa, Malaysia and Malta, etc promised close partnership and support.”

–          Ahmed Adamu, Chairperson of CYC, after meeting with Commonwealth Heads of Government 

“CYC is not for me, it is not for the executive, it is for all of us, including you. And we all have to work together to make it strong. Being the first executives, I don’t expect it to be easy, we have to set a good standard, and we have to set the bar high as much as we can. However, we cannot do it alone, we have to do it with you, and I am confident you will do your best to help us live to the expectations. Our leadership will include and consult you in every major decision.”

–          Sudharshana Lakshmi, Vice Chairperson – Policy, Advocacy and Projects 

“I want to thank you for the confidence and trust you bestowed on me and I am resolved to making you proud of your decision. However, the road ahead may be steep, but I am hopeful that with the passion, endurance and commitments we exhibited in this election, we can do more to surmount any difficulty. Keeping our thinking big, we also have to do our best to maximize our potentials for achieving all the reliable ambitions.

–          Royden Beharry, Regional Representative – Caribbean and the Americas 

The conference was also about the dedication of Sri Lankan Youth. They spent hours practicing to perfection their cultural performance, and coordinating events smoothly. It was their dedication that mesmerized everyone during cultural evenings with their Kandyan dances, peacock dance, drum beats compositions and singing performances by an award-winning differently abled group. 

It was Sri Lankan young volunteers who made us believe that the youth in all parts of world are same. Youth always strives for the best with its endless enthusiasm. Sri Lankan youth have made a great impression on every national and international mind. 

No doubt, Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013 has its own valid place in history. 

Photo: Mridul Uphadyay
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About me:
A thinker, a social volunteer, a mechanical designer, a theater artist, a guitar player, a lyrics-writer, an amateur sketch artist, a cook, a traveler, a wannabe civil servant – there are many phrases I enjoy trying on me to describe what I see myself as.
Currently I work for the Oil and Gas Pipeline refineries as a design engineer and am studying for Management in Business Administration. I aspire to enlighten society with the knowledge and experience I gain.
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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/
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