World leaders are in Perth on the west coast of Australia this week to take part in the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Francis Ventura, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Melbourne, spoke to His Excellency James Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles, about issues such as poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability …

CHOGM 2011: “Exclusive interview with Seychelles President” Read More »

World leaders are in Perth on the west coast of Australia this week to take part in the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Francis Ventura, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Melbourne, spoke to His Excellency James Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles, about issues such as poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability …

CHOGM 2011: "Exclusive interview with Seychelles President" Read More »

The Foreign Minister of Seychelles gives his views on the challenges facing the development of small island states, political instability and change across Africa, carbon emissions and the 2011 Commonwealth summit. Report by Francis Ventura, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Melbourne, Australia. Francis: The Arab Spring democratic uprisings have not had the results that many of …

Interview with Jean-Paul Adam, Foreign Minister of Seychelles Read More »

Oceans are vital to the environment and economy of Small Island Developing States, writes Angelique Pouponneau, 25, a Correspondent from Victoria in the Seychelles, who says oceans need their own Sustainable Development Goals. With 75 per cent of the Earth’s surface covered in water, the oceans should be given their own place in the post 2015 Sustainable …

"SIDS youth need a voice on oceans’ sustainability” Read More »

World leaders have agreed on Sustainable Development Goals, but Angelique Pouponneau, 25, a Correspondent from Victoria in the Seychelles, says meeting those goals will require the awareness and participation of young people.  With the agreement and confirmation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the Member States, it has to be asked whether …

“The role of young people in the next 15 years” Read More »

Young entrepreneurs across East Africa have formed a regional coalition of youth business organisations. It is called the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs-East Africa and includes 15 organisations from six countries: Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania and Uganda. The Alliance will encourage young people to start their own businesses, develop their enterprise skills and tackle …

Young East African entrepreneurs join forces to boost enterprise and create jobs Read More »

“Young people have a role to play in ensuring good governance by keeping watch on all branches of the State,” writes Angelique Pouponneau, 25, a Correspondent from the Seychelles. She explores the idea that knowledge of the Constitution can help young people guide the direction of their respective countries. As a symbol of unity, in …

“How well do you know your Constitution?” Read More »

 Repealing a little-used law against homosexuality sparked a potentially divisive debate, but Angelique Pouponneau, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from the Seychelles, reports that the result was in favour of tolerance and human rights. It was announced early March in the State of the Nation address that a section of the Seychelles penal code would be repealed. The …

“Views on decriminalising homosexuality” Read More »

With election day looming, Angelique Pouponneau, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from the Seychelles, questions the rules about eligibility to run for office and speaks with youth who have stepped into the political arena. In some countries, the only eligibility requirement to run for election as a member of parliament is to be aged 35. They do …

“Not too young to run for office” Read More »

Legislation setting the voting age creates a conflict for potential voters, writes Angelique Pouponneau, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from the Seychelles, who argues the rules should make more effort to enfranchise interested youth. It happens in nightclubs all the time: “ID please,” says the bouncer. If you are below the age of 18 you should …

“The disenfranchisement of youth” Read More »