As US President Barack Obama says his government intends to start withdrawing soldiers from Afghanistan by the end of the year, there is growing uncertainty as to Australia’s purpose in the international coalition, writes Amanda McClintock, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Queensland. After the death of three more Australian soldiers in Afghanistan, there is no …

"Osama Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan. So, why Afghanistan?" Read More »

In January, Jamaica’s new prime minister announced she intends to make her country a republic, some fifty years since formal independence from Britain. Other Commonwealth nations may soon follow suit, according to Wajahat Nassar, 24, from Pakistan. The question of whether to continue with a member of the British royal family as head of state …

“The right to self-determination must be respected” Read More »

In January, Jamaica’s new prime minister announced she intends to make her country a republic, some fifty years since formal independence from Britain. Other Commonwealth nations may soon follow suit, according to Wajahat Nassar, 24, from Pakistan. The question of whether to continue with a member of the British royal family as head of state …

"The right to self-determination must be respected" Read More »

Children in Pakistan are all too often compelled to work as labourers and denied access to education. Faisal Saleh Yaqub, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lahore, says their plight must not be forgotten. Child labour is a great menace that affects millions. It is a mind-boggling issue limiting the lives of children not only in Pakistan, …

"Child labour laws should be enforced and violators punished" Read More »

In response to a series of high-profile cases, Pakistan passed legislation last year to punish and deter acid attacks on women. But the violence has not ended. More needs to be done to end this horrific practice and safeguard female rights, writes Faisal Saleh Yaqub, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lahore. Reports of acid attacks on women have …

"Steps should be taken to prevent more acid attacks in Pakistan" Read More »

Women in Pakistan live under threat of violence no matter what their socio-economic level, writes Naseema Perveen, 21, of Islamabad in Pakistan. Some legislation has been enacted to address the violence, but she argues it will not be effective until women have freedom of speech. Mukhtar Mai, Fakhra Younis, Samia Sarwar… these are women victimized …

“Legislation by a broken system is not going to work” Read More »

Citizens working together as a civil society can have an impact on development even in nations with fragile governance, writes Naseema Perveen, 21, of Islamabad in Pakistan. A first step is to promote education. Civil society could have momentous impact on development, especially in states where the government is fragile. By pooling resources and mobilizing …

“The success of a nation can depend on the role of civil society” Read More »

The poor man is suffering in Pakistan, says Naseema Perveen, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Islamabad in Pakistan, who questions why the nation’s policy makers seem indifferent to the plight of the people. She boldly asserts her commitment to effect the much-needed change her nation desperately needs. And thus I have decided to work for …

“I am committed to the development of my people” Read More »

Regional government has lofty goals for education, writes Naseema Perveen, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Islamabad in Pakistan, but implementation is crucial for students and for society. Surfing the web I found some pictures that caught my attention – kids sitting on the ground under the open sky. The caption to this newspaper photo revealed …

“Have our leaders done enough for education?” Read More »