Showing Results For:

Tag: Asia


The Commonwealth People’s Forum is designed to give civil society organisations a voice in meetings with Ministers gathered for CHOGM. This time around, writes Salma Yusuf, a Correspondent from Sri Lanka, the agenda will include addressing the experience of the host country.  The Commonwealth People’s Forum, held in the wings of CHOGM, is the largest …

"The People's Forum – a Sri Lankan perspective" Read More »

Youth delegates descended on Sri Lanka this weekend for the Ninth Commonwealth Youth Forum. The international summit will see the inauguration of the Commonwealth Youth Council, a new body aiming to become a voice for young people, writes Carl Konadu, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from London. Delegates arrived on Saturday in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, for the Ninth Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013, …

"Young people built connections and enjoyed cultural performances" Read More »

The tradition of a woman taking her husband’s surname on marriage needs examination, writes Naaz Fahmida, 27, a Correspondent living in Dhaka, Bangladesh, who argues the custom makes identity become an issue. When it is that-time-of-the-year again, you know, that uncomfortable time of the year, heralded by a restless feeling, accentuated by several mood swings and a …

"Woman power can reside in a name" Read More »

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is more than a high level round of talks, writes Salma Yusuf, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka. It’s an opportunity to build consensus, and for Sri Lanka to take on a leadership role. Sri Lanka will take the mantle of leadership of the Commonwealth for the next two …

"CHOGM will have a Sri Lankan perspective" Read More »

Few of Pakistan’s urban dwellers are aware of the connection between the nation’s extensive mountain ranges and the environment, writes Faheem Bin Tariq, a Correspondent from Karachi, Pakistan, but a dedicated network of youth is putting mountain conservation and education on the agenda. In Pakistan, we find huge mountain ranges in the Northern and North-Western …

"Environmental challenges originate in the mountains" Read More »

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 …

“Youth voices gained an international platform” Read More »

 Attending the Commonwealth Youth Forum and CHOGM was a roller-coaster of  experiences for Mridul Upadhyay, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi, India, with unexpected developments that led to even more unexpected opportunities. “What is the secret behind your healthy hairs even at this age? Please share it with me because I am losing my …

"What if – and unexpected opportunities at CHOGM" Read More »

India’s abysmal ranking of 101 out of 136 countries in the 2013 Global Gender Gap Index comes as a wake-up call for a change in attitude and mindsets, writes Archita Gadia, 18, a Correspondent from Delhi in India who argues that youth must take action. India is a paradox, full of contrasts. We worship women as …

“The gender gap: a wakeup call for Indian youth” Read More »

The Colombo CHOGM ended with a reaffirmation of core values in the Commonwealth Charter, writes Mridul Uphadyay, 22,  a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi in India who attended the sessions in November and details what that means. The Commonwealth Heads of the Government have reaffirmed their commitment to the protection and promotion of the Commonwealth …

“Common but differentiated responsibilities" Read More »

Meet Atif Abdul Majeed, an entrepreneur and tech graduate who is working on automated voting solutions that will enable Pakistan to hold elections in just 15 days, writes Naseema Perveen, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Islamabad in Pakistan. INTESOL Pvt. Ltd is the name of company. Atif is the man behind it. Atif Abdul Majeed  …

“Entrepreneur in focus: automated voting for Pakistan” Read More »