As founder and CEO of ‘Little Dreamers Australia’, Madeleine Buchner is working towards an equal world for young carers, providing internationally recognised programmes focusing on health, wellbeing, social connectedness, financial capacity, education and employment opportunities. Little Dreamers supports thousands of young carers each year through online and in-person peer support, holiday programmes, mentoring, tutoring and …

The Kinder World of Support for Little Dreamers Read More »

Young people play an integral role in advancing development, democracy and peace. At the 10th Commonwealth Youth Forum in Malta, 21-25 November, over 400 youth leaders will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing young people, and devise relevant policy solutions through four main agendas – economic, environmental, social and political. The theme of the Forum is ‘Adding …

“Young people have role in achieving SDGs” Read More »

Family ties are valuable supports, but as Oluwafemi Ogunjobi, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria writes, they do not replace the need for personal responsibility. Africans, especially, are not quick to forget the embittered family feud between sports personality Emmanuel Adebayor and his family – a story of a successful child, who did his best …

“Family feud: dependence breaks families” Read More »

Disappointment in one’s plans does not mean defeat, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, but should be seen as an opportunity to reassess and use initiative. As a young individual living in the Caribbean, you sit and often times reflect on your past, present and future. You make a critical review of what has touched your …

“The youthful initiative to strive and thrive” Read More »

Developing a healthy sense of self is a necessary part of life’s journey, writes Brenda McWilson, 22, a Correspondent from Nigeria and studying in Canada, who says the first step is to avoid comparisons with others. Some people need to embark on a journey of self-recovery and metanoia. You are a complete package and have no …

“Youths need to know and value themselves” Read More »

Mistakes, writes Trevon Pollard, 23, a Correspondent from Guyana now living in Montserrat, should be a catalyst for change and success. He urges learning from the hurdles of the past in order to see the possibilities of the future. On one of the longest afternoon walks I’ve ever ventured on, I was blessed with the …

“Leave all the mistakes behind you, and learn” Read More »

Looking at the story of Dorothy’s travels in the Land of Oz, Lyn-Marie Blackman, a Commonwealth Correspondent alumni from Barbados, reflects on the path youth take in discovering their own capabilities. Living on planet Earth can present many challenges for its inhabitants, and with those challenges oftentimes comes a period of evolution. When one is …

“Taking the voyage toward self-discovery” Read More »

As an international student in Malaya, Tahiya Islam, 23, a Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh shares how studying in a culturally diverse setting has taught her lessons she could not have learnt in a textbook. It is often said that culture shapes us to be more humane. Now, what does it mean by being more …

“How studying overseas is shaping me” Read More »