pacific posts

12.05.12 - “It was an experience that even my greatest dreams failed to match”
Earlier this year, young people from around the world were flown to London to take part in celebrations to mark Commonwealth Day 2012. Fale Lesa, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent who travelled from New Zealand, recounts the moment he met Queen Elizabeth II at Marlborough House. 10 March 2012: After a two day flight from Auckland, [...] ... more

01.05.12 - Interview with Gareth Evans, ex-Australian Foreign Minister
Gareth Evans was one of Australia’s longest serving Foreign Ministers, leading diplomatic policy negotiations for eight years between 1988 and 1996. The Labor party heavyweight then went on to be President and CEO of the International Crisis Group, a world renowned think tank, and now serves as Chancellor of the Australian National University. Commonwealth Correspondent Francis [...] ... 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

26.04.12 - Scouts attend Commonwealth Forum in London
Two Scouts from Solomon Islands will be joining other Scouts from Commonwealth countries at the Commonwealth Scout Forum at Gilwell Park in London from April 26th to the 30th London. They are Andrew Leitaka from the Western Province and Seth Sio from Malaita Province. Both young men, aged 25 years are members of the Scout [...] ... more

25.04.12 - “This forum in Papua New Guinea was a chance to listen and learn”
Opportunities presented by petroleum, oil and mining resources in Papua New Guinea are ‘fragile and could easily be reversed’, according to a business forum attended by Commonwealth Correspondent Steph Carter, 21, from Brisbane, Australia. For the expat community in PNG’s budding capital, Port Moresby, bad imported wine and dynamic debate is to be expected for [...] ... more

18.04.12 - “I cannot remember an election where there were no people killed”
Filipinos have proven that they have a fighting spirit which will serve them well as they seek to build a prosperous, peaceful and fair nation, writes Francis Ventura, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Melbourne who recently visited the country. An undeniable fact about Filipinos is that throughout their history, they have always risen up and [...] ... more

18.04.12 - “New Zealand’s unique attire often intrigues tourists”
Visitors to New Zealand can expect to see a variety of clothing styles, although there is one colour that features prominently. Eva Maria, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent originally born in Russia and now living in the Pacific nation, offers this guide for fashion-spotters. Dress sense can depict what someone does for a living, where they [...] ... more

17.04.12 - 2012 Commonwealth Youth Awards
Become part of a growing number of young people determined to make positive change in the world Nominations for the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work are now open. We are calling for entries that recognise young people whose commitment to development work within a Commonwealth country has made a difference to the [...] ... more

11.04.12 - “Many countries have never faced a civil war as we had”
The Head of International Relations for Mozambique’s National Youth Council, Limpo Castigo, speaks to Commonwealth Correspondent Francis Ventura about the improving prospects for young people in his country. Ventura: Mozambique was last of all Commonwealth nations in the 2010 United Nations Development Index, at number 168. Why is this the case, how can it be [...] ... more

26.03.12 - “Our voices are not heard – a minority within a minority”
Fears that New Zealanders are becoming complacent about the spread of the AIDS epidemic have prompted a challenge from the country’s former premier. Commonwealth Correspondent Alisha Lewis, 20, reports on the task facing women and girls especially. Former New Zealand Prime Minister and UNDP Administrator Helen Clark has urged the country to become the first [...] ... more