Barbados has made significant gains since attaining independence in 1966, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados. But with several societal, institutional and governance issues facing the island, where can it go from here? Being a Commonwealth Correspondent has been an enriching and rewarding experience that I would not trade for anything. My …

“Barbados youth comments on 50 more years” Read More »

Food brings comfort, and comfort foods have strong connection to personal history. Shastri Sookdeo, 27, a Correspondent from Trinidad now living in Amsterdam, describes his favourite comfort food and its links to his travels. Food is usually linked to memory. This isn’t an original idea and to many people the food that I’ve chosen is …

“In praise of comfort food – in praise of dosa” Read More »

Cultural ideas around food are subject to change, thanks to a fast-moving globalised world. But as Ashley Foster-Estwick, 25, a Correspondent from Barbados explains, disrupting old food cultures can leave populations at risk with poor health and unmet needs. Culture is usually defined as the ideas and attitudes that form the habits of a particular sect …

“Food trends have mixed impact on the public” Read More »

Goal 5 of the SDGs addresses gender equality and empowerment, but Latoyaa Roberts-Thomas, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad and Tobago, says parts of the Caribbean need greater understanding of gender discrimination and violence against women. A social media phenomenon is part of the response. Ronelle King and Allyson Benn of Barbados became annoyed by the continuous …

“#LifeinLeggings: the Caribbean perspective” Read More »

As the popularity of English as a second language rises, Shastri Sookdeo, 28, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad now living in Amsterdam, looks at the effect on the incentive for native English speakers to become bilingual. The number of people that have learnt English as a second language has always amazed me. In the East …

“Perspective of a native English speaker” Read More »

An increase in the crime rate is an opportunity to look at society and at ways to reduce crime through prevention and intervention, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, 30, a Commonwealth Correspondent alumni from Barbados. For the past several months in Barbados there has been an upsurge in criminal activity, primarily perpetrated by young men. As an individual who …

“Society has a role in crime prevention” Read More »

In Barbados, Errol Barrow day on 21st January is a public holiday marking the birth of the Father of Independence and the island’s first Prime Minister. Ashley Foster-Estwick, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, writes that it is also a day for reflection on Barrow’s education policy. Errol Barrow enunciated many quotes during his tenure in politics, …

“What is the real price of being a student?” Read More »

Craig Dixon, aka Juleus Ghunta, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Jamaica, met with The Reverend Sean Major–Campbell, a controversial leader who washes the feet of gays and urges the government to ignore religion in crafting laws. His work covers a wide range from crime, to corruption, to climate change, to Cartesian scepticism. Juleus Ghunta: The most developed countries …

“Brain before Bible: interview with a Reverend” Read More »

The #IamABLE campaign for youth with disabilities stems from the request of young people from across the Commonwealth, including Antigua and Barbuda’s Commonwealth National Youth Delegates Jonelle Walsh and Kurt Williams. The campaign seeks to contribute towards the development of a more inclusive society by addressing the marginalisation and discrimination of people with disabilities in …

#IamAble: Antigua and Barbuda conference Read More »

Attending a conference is a great opportunity for personal and professional development for young people. Ashley Foster-Estwick, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, shares her top tips to help young people prepare for conferences, this summer.  I’ve had the privilege of being both an attendee and a presenter at conferences outside of my homeland. I reacted …

“Conference prep 101 for first timers” Read More »