Voluntary work can help a young person get ahead, however all too often the motivation seems to lie in competition for jobs rather than a spirit of true altruism, argues Zain Haider Awan, 18, a Briton of Pakistani descent. It increasingly seems that young people are being lured into youth activism, volunteering and community development as a ‘check-box’ procedure, or as I …

“Awake to the greater role of youth activism in society” Read More »

Voluntary work can help a young person get ahead, however all too often the motivation seems to lie in competition for jobs rather than a spirit of true altruism, argues Zain Haider Awan, 18, a Briton of Pakistani descent. It increasingly seems that young people are being lured into youth activism, volunteering and community development as a ‘check-box’ procedure, or as I …

"Awake to the greater role of youth activism in society" Read More »

Signing up for a social service program started out as an extra-curricular activity, writes Mridul Upadhyay, 21, of New Delhi, India. It became a major time commitment that stretched his abilities and yielded rare opportunities. After securing 80 per cent attendance and 80 per cent marks in the first two months of my enrolment in …

“I felt great pride in being an Indian citizen” Read More »

“We are not heartless human beings; we are simply [more than often] sedated human beings,” writes Denise Juvane, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Mozambique now living in England. But has the oversaturation of images of poverty in Africa halted us from action? There is a saying that goes along the lines of: “we never know the …

"Pictures of poverty – do they lead to action?" Read More »

A student group in Cameroon is using volunteerism, team-work, and education to develop their vision of the future, writes Carole Nyemeck, 21, a Correspondent from Yaounde in Cameroon. For some, the dream includes studying in America to solve Africa’s problems. “The sky is the sole limit!” This could be the very leitmotiv of youth attending the …

"CAMSAC students shape their own African dream” Read More »

Sustainable development can start at the local level and yet have a global impact, writes Dilshan Jayasinghe, 18, a Correspondent from Mississauga, Canada, who writes about his involvement in youth-driven international projects. Sustainable development and environmental stewardship in any society would not take place unless the populace has a keen understanding as to why such is …

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Finding employment after graduation is a daunting challenge, but Joshua Orawo, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kenya, says a record of volunteer experience can help. The education system in Kenya and most African countries has been criticised on various occasions as focusing on producing employment oriented people as opposed to job creators and potential employers. …

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Volunteer work is highly valued in academic and career circles, writes Debra Grace Lim Jia-En, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Malaysia, who recently completed an extended volunteer experience. She writes that volunteer work benefits both the volunteer and the recipient. In recent years, the importance of volunteering has resurfaced in the media with vehemence. Volunteer …

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Championing a culture of volunteerism could be the key to build a stronger, more cohesive social economy, writes Mzeziti Mwanza, 25, a Correspondent from Lusaka in Zambia. For a long time, the culture surrounding voluntarism has been absent in Zambian communities. Citizens, both young and old, would rather have let their time pass idly than …

“It’s time for Zambia to embrace volunteerism” Read More »