A twist on oral tradition is giving a new voice to youth, writes Latoyaa Roberts, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad and Tobago, who says the powerful format carries a message for world-wide audiences.  In the Caribbean, oral traditions have always been a part of our culture. This culture was brought to us primarily through …

“Spoken Word: providing expression for youth” 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 »

A visit to the Republic of Korea gave Erandi Thanippularachchi, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka, opportunity to learn about culture, history, and how a nation can develop its potential.  The moment we stepped into the Republic of Korea, we were amazingly greeted as “Anna ye Seiyo” with friendly and beautiful smiles. Seoul is a …

“Learning lessons through travel in Korea” Read More »

A popular music group in Botswana is reaching audiences and gaining fans, but as Moses Mokoanene, 25, a Correspondent from Lethakeng in Botswana writes, the group faces hurdles getting that elusive first album released. It is not easy for every upcoming artist to have a warm welcome in the music industry. For about five years, …

“Gospel house crew eager to take next step” Read More »

A beauty competition set the stage for one contestant to challenge preconceptions and empower others to be agents of positive change, writes Rashaun Watson, 23, a Correspondent from Portmore, Jamaica. On December 19, 2015, all eyes were fixed on the grand coronation show for the 65th Miss World Competition in Sanya, China. The competition attracted beautiful women …

“Jamaica’s Miss World contest creates history” Read More »

Mothers are advocating for their daughters’ rights to exist as black people, unashamed of their roots – from historical to follicle – writes Alicia Wallace, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nassau, Bahamas.  Young women are holding fast to their identities and rights as citizens and members of the African diaspora. They are unapologetic about the natural …

“Natural hair, racism and gender equality” Read More »

Years of fighting poachers and the illegal ivory trade took a very public turn, writes Brian Dan Migowe, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kenya, with a bold government move. When you have a trove of elephant tusks lying in a warehouse somewhere, what do you do with it? According to the Kenyan president, you burn it. So …

“Kenya burns ivory to defy poachers” Read More »

Human relationships are powerful, and are sometimes subject to a range of outside influences. Atikul Islam, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bogra in Bangladesh, argues this makes a strong case for arranged marriages. When a human child is born, he or she  usually loves his or her parents, brothers, sisters, and relatives who care for, …

“Relationships require psychological growth” Read More »

A film festival in Cameroon holds special importance as a powerful boost to the movie industry, writes Medjom Colbie, 22, a Correspondent from Yaounde in Cameroon.  Considered as one of the important meetings of cinema in Africa, “Ecrans Noirs” is a film festival founded in 1997  to promote the seventh art of the continent and Cameroon …

“Welcome to the Ecrans Noirs film festival” Read More »

We live in a fast-paced world, writes Bradley Douglas, 27, a Correspondent from St. Vincent, who argues the importance of culture and history in the drive to create a sustainable future and equitable growth. The Caribbean region is known to be a melting pot: a haven of diversity, history, art and innovation. As islands connected …

“Our Caribbean culture, our Caribbean brand” Read More »