International Youth Day is a favourite event for Harnoor Gill, 16, a Correspondent from Georgetown, Canada. This year’s IYD includes the theme “Mental Health Matters”, and Harnoor offers readers some ideas for marking the day and celebrating youth. My favourite day of the year is today. I honestly have been waiting in excitement for it …

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 World peace is an elusive target, but a day has been designated to reflect on that goal writes Harnoor Gill, 16, a Correspondent from Georgetown, Canada, as he offers suggestions about how to promote peace and tolerance. The International Day of Peace is all about commemorating peace that has been achieved by nations around the world. …

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Shopping at second hand stores can mean bargains and adventure, writes Harnoor Gill, 16, a Correspondent from Georgetown in Canada, but it also means supporting charities that operate thrift shops and serve the needy.  Gather all of your change because it’s time for you to have fun shopping while bargaining. Many people are not aware …

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Countries around the world have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and many have set aside a day to celebrate children. Harnoor Gill, 16, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Georgetown in Canada, reflects on the importance of the day. “Children aren’t colouring books. You don’t get to fill them with your favourite …

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Hallowe’en with its costumes and treats is a favourite for the young at heart, but as Harnoor Gill, 16, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Georgetown in Canada explains, it’s also an opportunity for youth to volunteer in the home and in the community. Hallowe’en is a great time to relax and have fun by scaring your peers …

"Trick-or-treat, trick-or-treat, it's Hallowe'en!!" Read More »

Sport can be a powerful means of promoting development, but Malcolm McEachern, 22, a Correspondent from Halifax, Canada, now living in the UK, argues that without adequate funding and rules the programs can fall short of their goals. The recent success of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, highlights that sport is truly an international …

"Sport for Development and Peace gets a yellow card" Read More »

A moustache takes on special significance in November, writes Harnoor Gill, 16, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Georgetown in Canada, as he describes how for one month it becomes a symbol of men’s health issues. One of my favourite awareness months is designed with a focus on men’s health. Movember is celebrated each November. This is the …

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Inhumane tactics are used to create child soldiers, writes Malcolm McEachern, 22, a Correspondent from Halifax, Canada, now living in the UK.  The question is how to make those children part of society once the conflict is over. When someone thinks of child soldiers they may recall the Leonardo DiCaprio film Blood Diamond, which portrays …

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The shooting death of an unarmed soldier challenged Canada’s attitudes about multiculturalism and patriotism, writes Alvin Ma, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Canada, who argues that sport can help heal community during divisive times. I’m glad to see that my professor and former Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport chair Bruce Kidd is cited in Malcolm …

"Reflections on the events in Ottawa and ice hockey" Read More »

Bullying is an old problem that can be spread by new technology, writes Harnoor Gill, 16, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Georgetown in Canada, who advocates education and early intervention to prevent bullying. The concept of bullying can be traced as far back as 1710 when it was first introduced as a “blusterer” or “harasser of the weak”.[i] Bullying …

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