The Colombo CHOGM ended with a reaffirmation of core values in the Commonwealth Charter, writes Mridul Uphadyay, 22,  a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi in India who attended the sessions in November and details what that means. The Commonwealth Heads of the Government have reaffirmed their commitment to the protection and promotion of the Commonwealth …

“Common but differentiated responsibilities" Read More »

Post-war Sri Lanka presents a unique backdrop for the development of the county’s youth, writes Salma Yusuf, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka. She examines the relationship between youth, peace and conflict and suggests avenues for youth to join the drive for peace in a post-war environment.  Can youth play a central role in securing …

“Can youth play a central role in securing peace?” Read More »

CHOGM 2013 faced controversy, writes Fale Lesa, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Zealand, but it also provided an opportunity to reflect on the positive attributes that set the Commonwealth apart. CHOGM 2013 has been and gone by now, and analysts are busy evaluating its performance. There can be no denying that Sri Lanka pulled …

"Shared history makes the Commonwealth great" Read More »

Salma Yusuf, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka, examines her country’s growing diplomatic and economic relationship with the two emerging Asian superpowers, India and China, arguing that there are mutual benefits to be reaped by all. The 51st anniversary of the Indo-China War of 1962 was marked on 20 October 2013 through 21 November 2013. …

“Sri Lanka must not become a bargaining tool” Read More »

Thousands of youth took part in Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Day, writes Madusha Erandi, 21, a Correspondent from Colombo in Sri Lanka, where they demonstrated the vital role young people can play in promoting basic human rights. It is a very basic fact as humans that all of us should know that human rights are …

"Youth can take an active role in human rights" Read More »

Sri Lanka will host the World Youth Conference in 2014, writes Madusha Erandi, 21, a Correspondent from Colombo in Sri Lanka, who says the Conference will focus on giving youth a stronger role in decisions and policy that create real change in society. We had no time for leisure after the Commonwealth Youth Forum. Since …

"On our way to World Youth Conference 2014" Read More »

As a lead speaker at the Commonwealth Youth Forum of November 2013, Salma Yusuf, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka, had a unique opportunity to reflect on youth’s role in reconciliation and policy-making. It was indeed an honour to address emerging leaders of Commonwealth nations hailing from four of the world’s inhabited continents. What was …

“Youth that is not wasted on the young” Read More »

An independent judiciary has long been endorsed as one of the three pillars of good government, writes Madusha Erandi, 21, a Correspondent from Colombo in Sri Lanka, but society must be vigilant to safeguard the rule of law.  Blackstone, the famous English Jurist, summed up his ideas about the independence of a judiciary within a …

“Bedrock of democracy: an independent judiciary” Read More »

International Women’s Day is celebrated to uphold the rights of women in society, writes Madusha Erandi, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Colombo in Sri Lanka, who argues that advancing equality for women will benefit society as a whole.  Some time back in the late 1890’s there was a garment workers’ strike in New York, where …

"Inspiring change – International Women's Day" Read More »

UN Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva provide an opportunity for Sri Lanka to look carefully at how it will negotiate its place among world powers, writes Salma Yusuf, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka. As the heat builds up in an otherwise wintry Geneva, capital cities of the world are abuzz with preparations for …

"UN Human Rights Council and Sri Lanka" Read More »