Whether or not to learn one’s mother language is a question facing many immigrant youth, writes Hsin-Yi Lo, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Melbourne, Australia. She argues in favour of embracing the opportunity. To learn or not to learn your mother tongue? This question plagues us second generation immigrant youths (SGIY) growing up in Australia. Many …

“Learning mother tongue solves identity crisis” Read More »

 Pakistan has many attributes, writes Zainab Shamim Potrick, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Karachi in Pakistan, among them its natural beauty. She takes readers on a brief tour of some of the highlights. Welcome to the most powerful Islamic country. Welcome to one of the world’s seven atomic powers. Welcome to the land surrounded by rivers …

“Tourists find a natural welcome in Pakistan” Read More »

Rapid growth of pop television is distracting students from studies and introducing mature content to young audiences, writes Kenneth Gyamerah, 26, a Correspondent from Kumasi in Ghana. He recalls television’s early days, and calls for measures to protect children from inappropriate programming. When I was growing up in the early 2000s , people who had televisions were …

“Telenovelas influence education in Ghana” Read More »

As social media reaches saturation level, concern grows about the impact on road safety. Mary Adeyi, 24, a Commonwealth Commonwealth Correspondent in London, UK, writes that earlier hopes about hands-free devices offering a solution are being dashed as researchers find that distraction not tied to just one technology.  New penalties to combat drivers using their mobile …

“Bigger penalty for driving while on the phone” Read More »

 The millennial generation has been criticised as self-indulgent and lacking in the discipline to meet traditional goals in life. Hsin-Yi Lo, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Melbourne, Australia, presents a different view of the hurdles facing her generation.  Young Australian property developer Tim Gurner kicked up a social media storm when he claimed millennials can afford their …

“The sorrow of young millennials” Read More »

A ten day programme of meditation taught Mridul Upadhyay, 25,  a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi in India, about one of India’s ancient disciplines and how it still applies to modern life. ‘How strange it is that we want control over others, while we are a slave of our own feelings completely.’ When one is …

“Peace through ancient practice of meditation” Read More »

Small crowds for international cricket in Trinidad are not about lack of interest in the game, writes Shastri Sookdeo, 28, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad now living in Amsterdam, but are evidence of ongoing issues with local management of the sport. The crowds for the 1st and 2nd One Day Internationals (ODI) featuring India and …

“Why there is apathy for West Indies Cricket” Read More »

Diversity is a valued quality, writes Chanda Katema, 19, a Correspondent from Lusaka in Zambia now studying in India, but living with diversity can challenge one’s perceptions. In the middle of the conversation I stand wondering what is going on. Perhaps it’s just another language I don’t comprehend. Diversity is something to be proud of, but I …

“Considering the adversity of diversity” Read More »

Shiboni D’Souza, 23, a Correspondent from Bangalore in India, writes that refugees, throughout history, have brought a great deal to her homeland. How citizens respond to the latest influx of refugees, however, will be the true test of her country’s national character. The global refugee crisis has been a hot topic for debate on all sides …

“In a refugee crisis, a little compassion can go a long way” Read More »

The Chale Wote Street Art Festival brings art, music and performance to the streets of Jamestown, a suburb of Accra. Kenneth Gyamerah, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kumasi in Ghana describes how the festival creates appreciation among participants and patrons. Since 2011, Chale Wote has included street painting, graffiti murals, photography, theatre, spoken word, interactive art …

“Ghana’s biggest Street Art Festival attracts thousands of artists” Read More »