Latest content: Youth

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has been honoured by the Heartfulness Institute in India for her service to the education, growth, and success of young people across 56 Commonwealth countries.

Blog by Chevaughn Brown, Membership Lead at the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network.

Blog by Micheala Chan and Angelos Pastras, the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Youth Action Group.

Education is the cornerstone of the energy transition. In an era dominated by social media, young people are uniquely positioned to leverage their influence to build public consciousness around energy challenges, shape public awareness and garner support for climate and energy policies. Movements such as School Strike for Climate provide a prime example, exemplifying the power of young people to effectively advocate for climate action.

Young people, who are among those most at risk to the impacts of climate change, are not accessing the funds they need to tackle the challenges posed by global warming, according to a report published today.

Youth leaders representing the Commonwealth’s 56 countries have urged leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to move beyond speeches and deliver concrete action to safeguard the planet. 

Youth work associations in four countries will receive a grant from the Commonwealth Secretariat to boost training and resources and improve support to poorer communities.

An independent study detailing the collective contribution of the 87 non-profit organisations accredited to the Commonwealth was launched last week by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC.

Guest blog by Salome Mosha and Gideon Gachihi, Commonwealth youth leaders and mental health advocates.

The inaugural Commonwealth Expo 2023 was held on the final day of the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (10CYMM) and allowed Government ministers and other delegates to learn more about the work of accredited Commonwealth organisations, as well as others working in the youth space. The expo resulted in a rich display of youth-focused initiatives and projects that are all aimed at improving the lives of young people.

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.

The 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting has secured a range of tangible commitments for young people in the Commonwealth, including AI training opportunities, scholarships, stronger youth networks, new laws to protect vulnerable people, and more opportunities to shape policy.

Senior government ministers and other senior government officials attending the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (10CYMM) got a feel of the impactful work some UK organisations are doing to support young people in London. The UK’s National Youth Agency facilitated visits to four innovative youth work projects to showcase different approaches to common challenges.

At the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, Maya Kirti Nanan, Founder of the Autism Siblings and Friends Network (ASFN), was chosen as the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year for 2023.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), a special edition of the Commonwealth Youth Awards has spotlighted 50 exceptional young leaders who are committed to solving some of the world’s most difficult challenges and transforming lives in their communities.

Senior government officials have applauded the impact of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Youth Programme, including notable achievements delivered for youth development over the past six years.

The Hamish Ogston Foundation has made the largest-ever investment in heritage skills in Commonwealth history.

Young people from across the Commonwealth have shared strategies and actions to address the urgent environmental crises affecting their generation.