Call for new members: Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace

The CYSDP are looking for young people active and passionate in the field of sport for development and peace to join their working group

In May 2013 the Commonwealth Secretariat supported the establishment of the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Working Group (CYSDP). With a mission ‘to be the leading and driving voice for youth in the Commonwealth towards promoting best practices for sport, development and peace in their respective societies.’

A group of young leaders from Commonwealth regions were identified by the Commonwealth Secretariat and selected to work towards advancing youth development in the Commonwealth through sport. With a remit to ‘Advocate, Educate and Demonstrate’ on behalf of young people across the Commonwealth, the group utilise sport and non-sport platforms to highlight the benefits of SDP in development issues. The group are an integral part of the Commonwealth youth space and intend to continue to do their work by accessing the voices of young people, targeting decision makers, educating both youth practitioners and SDP experts on how best to advocate for their issues, and providing research to contribute to bodies of knowledge which bring to the fore youth issues in the SDP sector.

Roles and responsibilities of CYSDP

• Provide a youth voice and perspective on advancing the use of sport in development policy and programming in the Commonwealth
• Meet on a quarterly basis (via web conference) and carry out work on an on-going basis according to the remit of CYSDP
• Formulate recommendations on SDP relevant to youth development and contribute to  forums such as the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport (CABOS)
• Liaise with other Commonwealth and regional youth representative forums to advance awareness of SDP approaches and initiatives;
• Present and represent at sport and non-sport platforms around the Commonwealth

What we are looking for

• Commonwealth nationals
• Between the ages of 18 and 29 (must be under 30 on 31st August 2015(
• Passionate and active in Sport for Development and Peace in a voluntary, educational or professional capacity
• Current skills gaps include: communications/ social media, knowledge of governance, strategic development/ leadership skills, public speaking/ presentation experience, knowledge and experience of innovative, small NGO or social enterprise development.
• Current geographic gaps include Caribbean , Pacific and Asia

Whilst we are interested in filling these gaps, we are committed to taking on the best candidates and welcome expressions of interest from anyone that meets the three key criteria.

Appointments are made for one year terms, with members eligible to apply for re-appointment for up to three terms.

Interested applicants are invited to submit an expression of interest to include a short cover letter outlining your motivation and suitability for joining CYSDP, your CV and a well-developed submission on ‘why SDP is an effective tool in tackling youth development issues’. Drawing on your own experiences and research would be advantageous in developing the submission.

Submissions can be in the form of:

• Academic essay or position paper (1000 words)
• Magazine feature article suitable for publication on Your Commonwealth – see www.yourcommonwealth.org (800-1000 words)
• Short film (5 – 10 minutes)
• Photography with extended captions/descriptions for each image (5 – 10 images)

Other submissions related to the focus welcome by negotiation: Contact CYSDP Coordinator, Carl Konadu – c.konadu@commonwealth.int

The Commonwealth Secretariat will be reviewing all submissions required by 5pm on Tuesday 30 September, with the intention that a select number will be published or displayed in appropriate Commonwealth forums and platforms.

For enquiries about the CYSDP please contact Carl Konadu
Email:c.konadu@commonwealth.int
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7747 6296
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7747 6549

– See more at: CYSDP Advert 2014