americas and caribbean

14.05.12 - “We should be mindful of television’s subliminal messages”
TV programming can colour our impressions of countries, cities or events through presenting a warped vision of reality, writes Samantha Khan, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad & Tobago. During a recent wave of boredom I found myself channel surfing. The flood of poisonous programming was striking: Reality shows misrepresenting reality. Cartoons blurring the line between [...] ... more

12.05.12 - “‘We don’t want somebody from Africa,’ they told me.”
If China wants to become the destination of choice for skilled professionals, it has to end prejudice against people from other countries and ethnicities, writes Leigh-Ann Worrell, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados currently studying in Beijing. Living in Beijing is certainly an experience like none other. It is, in my opinion, one of the few [...] ... more

12.05.12 - “If a man wants to leave he will walk right out, no matter”
It is every girl’s dream to grow up, get married and have a family of her own, says Josanne Brassey, 24, a young woman from the island of Tobago. But dreams do not always turn out as you imagine, especially when lovers part and a baby comes into the equation. It is said that real love [...] ... more

07.05.12 - “How do we understand the identity of parties in a coalition?”
Across the globe, many countries are grappling with the challenge of coalition government. This unique political dynamic merits greater attention by the Commonwealth, argues Joshua Hamlet, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad & Tobago. The Commonwealth’s existence is based on the promotion of the shared goals of democracy and development among its member states. Historically most [...] ... more

07.05.12 - “What is your dream? What makes you bloom like an orchid?”
Every single person has the right to pursue happiness and to live a life of purpose and abundance, says Craig Dixon, aka Juleus Ghunta, a 24-year-old social activist and Commonwealth Correspondent from Jamaica. At its core, D.R.E.A.M.R.I.G.H.T means that every human being has an inalienable and divine right to dream and to duly harvest the [...] ... more

01.05.12 - “Why do we turn a blind eye to domestic violence?”
Domestic violence is no trivial matter to be swept under the carpet, writes Jo-Annah Richards, 26, a law graduate and Commonwealth Correspondent from the Caribbean island of Montserrat now living in Britain. As she lay bloodied and lifeless everyone stared frozen in shock. How could this have happened? Not on this island! Why the shock when [...] ... more

01.05.12 - YourCommonwealth wins ‘Communicator of the Year’ award
The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Youth Affairs Division has scooped ‘Communicator of the Year Award 2012’ for its innovative youth-led website YourCommonwealth.org. Director Katherine Ellis and Youth Affairs Officer Layne Robinson received the award on 26 April at an inaugural ceremony in London to mark 63 years since the establishment of the modern Commonwealth. Mr Robinson asked for [...] ... more

10.04.12 - Caribbean countries move forward on youth employment policies
via ILO: Concrete recommendations  on the issues to be considered in the design of comprehensive national youth employment policies and action plans were made at a Regional Seminar on youth employment held from 29-31 March 2011 in Saint Lucia. The Seminar, – the theme of which was entitled “Addressing the Employment Challenges of Caribbean,” was hosted [...] ... more

03.04.12 - CanaCaribe youth programme supported by CYP
Message from CariMentors: Good day youth leaders, The CariMentors Team launched the CanaCaribe initiative in St. Kitts and Nevis, September 2011, supported and sponsored by the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre. CanaCaribe is a biennial Youth-led “Respect and Understanding” programme with focus on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution. It is understood that CanaCaribe is the first of its kind [...] ... more

27.03.12 - “Self-reliance and innovation can pave the way for our youth”
The rules of the economy have changed, with a steady loss of jobs across many sectors and severe consequences for youth and the unemployed. Tamica Parchment, 24,  a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kingston, Jamaica, reports on the challenges her generation now faces. In the December 2011 general elections in Jamaica, the People’s National Party (PNP) won [...] ... more