Latest content: Youth

In the early months of 2020, much of the globe was put on pause as governments fought to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. For many, work came to a grinding halt as factories and shops were forced to close their doors, transforming a global health catastrophe into a labour market and economic crisis.

To help sports policymakers and officials make good decisions about sport and exercise during the pandemic the Commonwealth is sharing lessons learned so far by sports policymakers around the Commonwealth.

Five years ago more than 40 babies born in Jamaican hospitals became infected with lethal bacteria - half of them died. The situation caught the attention of Jamaican technology student Rayvon Stewart who set about finding a way to curb the spread of harmful germs.

The nomination deadline has been extended for 9 youth leaders to represent the Commonwealth’s 1.4 billion young people on the Commonwealth Youth Council.

Have you got what it takes?

Four outstanding young people have won Commonwealth Youth Awards for innovative projects that are delivering sustainable development in their countries.

Some of the Commonwealth’s top entertainers and sporting stars joined Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family at a multi-faith service to celebrate Commonwealth Day.

Young people can now apply to attend the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Rwanda this June. The forum will take place in Kigali from 20 to 23 June 2020.

Sixteen extraordinary individuals including innovators, activists and entrepreneurs from 12 countries have been shortlisted for this year’s Commonwealth Youth Awards.

A Malaysian school which launched a scholarship programme for students from Commonwealth countries and aspires to be a centre for music and dramatic arts, has named its new state-of-the-art auditorium in honour of the Commonwealth Secretary-General.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland spoke as guest of honour at a Faith in the Commonwealth seminar at the Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization in Kuala Lumpur.

On her visit to India, the Commonwealth Secretary-General travelled to the city of Gorakhpur in India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh. She took part in the launch of the Out of School Children Project, and attended the country’s first ever Sustainable Development Goals Choupal.

Young people have said their efforts to stem extremism and build peace remain largely overlooked at the national and global levels.

Young people have asked Commonwealth leaders to work with them in developing innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

Time magazine has named Commonwealth Young Person of the Year Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi among its 100 world rising stars who are shaping the future.

African countries will spend this month giving special impetus to improving the lives of millions of young people. Beginning with Africa Youth Day on 1st November, the African Union member states, including the 19 Commonwealth countries, will focus on providing opportunities for young people in the areas of Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Engagement, known as the 4Es.

The Secretary-General has called for “transformational leadership” in youth development across Africa and the Commonwealth.

Young people wishing to apply for the 2020 Commonwealth Youth Awards have less than one week left to submit their entries. The Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work are free to enter and recognise exceptional young people in the Commonwealth who are making a difference in their communities through development work.

Governments in Africa should step up financial support to young people, according to a policy brief co-launched in Ghana by the Commonwealth and Africa Union Commission (AUC).

Young people and senior Rwandan officials have kicked-off the countdown to the 12th Commonwealth Youth Forum.

The Secretary-General has urged young diplomats posted to London from across the world to pool their talent, knowledge and dynamism to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Courage is the greatest measure of a leader and young people should not be afraid to “go against the flow” when acting on their convictions, the Commonwealth Secretary-General has said.

A meeting of policy makers in Brunei-Darussalam has the potential to amplify the voices of millions of young people from across the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General has appealed to governments of member states to continue their support for youth workers and invest in education and training.

Nominations have opened for the 2020 Commonwealth Youth Awards which will see winners awarded a cash grant to scale-up development work benefiting their communities.