A critical element of the current global jobs crisis is the struggle faced by young people entering and remaining in the labour market. To address this challenge, the ILO organized a global Youth Employment Forum, 23–25 May 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland (www.ilo.org/yef). Over 100 young trade unionists, entrepreneurs, NGO members and others took part in …

Youth rep speaks at youth employment forum in Geneva Read More »

Last week Kingston, Jamaica was the proud host of the Commonwealth Caribbean Youth Leadership Summit. The resumed Summit took place from July 23 to 26 and was the second phase of a process initiated in March 2011 by the CYP Caribbean Centre.  The Summit was strongly youth-designed and -led, and comprised nineteen (19) delegates representing …

Caribbean Youth Leaders conclude Youth Summit Read More »

There is a new discriminatory gender restriction imposed in this year’s edition of Nigeria’s You WIN programme, says Timi Olagunju, 26, of Lagos, Nigeria. He argues it creates an unconstitutional restriction that prevents Nigerian men from applying for funds through the young entrepreneurs programme. Isn’t it true that little drops of water make a mighty …

“Why have a new policy to ascribe exclusive privilege to females?” Read More »

There is a new discriminatory gender restriction imposed in this year’s edition of Nigeria’s You WIN programme, says Timi Olagunju, 26, of Lagos, Nigeria. He argues it creates an unconstitutional restriction that prevents Nigerian men from applying for funds through the young entrepreneurs programme.   Isn’t it true that little drops of water make a …

"Why have a new policy to ascribe exclusive privilege to females?” Read More »

Calling all youth filmmakers!  Each year, UNICEF publishes a report called State of the World’s Children. Next year, the theme is on children with disabilities.  We’d like hear your voice, so send us a one minute video reflecting your perspective on disabilities. ThemeChildren living with disabilities have the same rights as all children: the right to live …

"It's About Ability!" Youth Video Contest Read More »

Sport for Development and Peace can only achieve optimal results when the strategy involves education and dialogue, says Alvin Ma, 21, a Correspondent from Toronto, Canada. Youth need to engage in sports and to discover their own ability to influence society. Canadian Paralympian Rick Hansen, an outspoken activist who set up a research foundation for …

"Sport is only a supplement to education" Read More »

Local government development plans should consider the needs of youth, writes Carl Konadu, 20, a Correspondent from London, UK. He reports on a conference designed to give young leaders a voice in policy-setting. Uganda hosted young leaders from around the Commonwealth at the seventh Commonwealth Local Government Youth Forum on the 13th-14th May 2013.  The …

“Putting youth at the heart of local government” Read More »

Youth migration is a fact of life for African countries, writes Tayo Elegbede, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria. He says the challenge is for countries use technology and manage policies that create opportunity for youth and build the economy. The instinct for survival and the quest for sustenance are running fundamentals of human …

“Youth on the move – migration from Africa” Read More »

Many young people graduating from tertiary studies are keen to work hard in their first place of employment, even to the point of working too hard or for too long. However as McKell Institute Research Fellow Christopher Angus articulates, this ‘vicious circle’ could have serious long-term impacts for not just the individual, but society as …

“Put ‘reasonable’ back in reasonable overtime” Read More »

Nigeria’s National Youth Council has a lofty goal, writes Timi Olagunju, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria. But he argues the Council has fallen short of the goal and has questions about its future. Let me start with a quick survey on the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). Firstly, have you heard …

“Confusion over Nigeria’s Youth Council” Read More »