by Katerina Panagi Youth empowerment is a concept that has gained significant attention in recent years, and for good reason. The youth, often defined as individuals between the ages of 15 and 29, represent not only the future, but also the driving force of our society; they constitute approximately 16 per cent of the world’s …

Empowering the Future: The need for Youth Empowerment in the society Read More »

by Dr Gladson Vaghela The 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CYMM), held in London from September 11 to 15, 2023, was a gathering of leaders from 50 member nations, focused on critical issues affecting young people within the Commonwealth. Amidst the various topics discussed, one issue took centre stage – the health and well-being of …

A Brighter Future: Commonwealth Ministers Commit to Youth Health Read More »

A blog by Layne Robinson   You may be unfamiliar with the term “youth bulge”. The World Bank has defined it as a phenomenon in many developing countries where factors such as reducing infant mortality and high fertility rates have resulted in children and young people outnumbering adults.   It is often discussed within the context …

How the Commonwealth flipped the script on youth empowerment  Read More »

by Charity Mwathi Millions of AI training opportunities, thousands of scholarships, more robust youth networks, new laws to protect vulnerable people, and more opportunities to shape policy are just some of the tangible outcomes of the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting. The historic three-day summit, held in the Commonwealth headquarters in London, brought together nearly 400 …

Hope for young people as ministers agree on strong youth development package Read More »

by Sameer Misra Laba Naik, a determined and resilient tribal youth hailing from Kachalekha Village in Kalahandi district, Odisha, India, has emerged as a shining example of hope and inspiration. Born in one of the most underdeveloped districts in Western Odisha, which is a state in India, Laba’s journey from hardship to empowerment has been …

The Tribal Youth Boy who Harnessed Hope Read More »

by Sukanya Podder, King’s College London, and Terri-Ann Gilbert-Roberts, The Commonwealth Secretariat    This International Youth Day, stakeholders around the world focused on strengthening Green Skills for Youth. This is a critical area for investment given the very real climate crisis facing young people. The climate crisis has encouraged intergenerational conversations, solidarity and commitment between generations, …

Co-Creating Peaceful and Sustainable Futures for and with young people   Read More »

A blog by Layne Robinson, Head of the Commonwealth Social Policy Division The atmosphere in Trinidad and Tobago was charged with anticipation and excitement when I landed to attend the Commonwealth Youth Games. As I stepped onto the Caribbean Island that had given birth to calypso and the steelpan, what immediately struck me was the …

How the Youth Games demonstrate the value of the Commonwealth Read More »

Twenty of those shortlisted will be selected as finalists, and the overall winners will attend the awards ceremony, which in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, will this year be held in London on Thursday, 14 September 2023.  Those shortlisted include social entrepreneurs, environmental champions, innovators, and human rights activists, from …

50 outstanding young leaders shortlisted for the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Awards Read More »

by Bryan Jetem Obaji The declaration of 2023 as the year dedicated to youth-led action for sustainable and inclusive development reminds us that even after 50 years of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, a lot still needs to be done. This is especially true after the Covid-19 pandemic which reawakened our consciousness to new possibilities and …

Youth Work:  A Dynamic Approach to The Commonwealth Vision Read More »