Young people from across the Commonwealth have surprised the Secretary-General the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC with a moving tribute to her "incredible" work on their behalf, as she attended the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Samoa.
Commitment to amplifying youth voices
Fourteen youth networks, and regional platforms representing 1.5 billion young people, presented Secretary-General Patricia Scotland with an award recognising her commitment to amplifying youth voices, and fostering inclusive development which, they said, has left an indelible mark on the Commonwealth.
Secretary-General Scotland received the award inscribed with a message of thanks, and expressing their gratitude for her unstinting support for young people throughout her tenure, the room erupted in applause as she received the honour reflecting the admiration and respect young people hold for her.
"You have been a steadfast pillar, an advocate for justice, and a champion for our voices, guiding us to see the world not only as it is but as it can be," reads the inscription.
Belief in youth as active agents of change
The honour is testament to the Secretary-General's core belief that young people are not simply beneficiaries, but active agents of change, partners in development, and leaders – today and tomorrow.
The Samoan government, ministers and various stakeholders took turns to say thank you to the Secretary-General for serving the young people of the Commonwealth with such dedication.
Enduring legacy
From across the Commonwealth's 56 nations and territories, the Secretary-General through the Secretariat has had an impact which has seen new youth policy, proposals initiatives and programmes in climate change, gender equality, youth unemployment, sports, youth leadership, culture and arts, which has led to positive change for young people, including:
- The mainstreaming of youth across all of the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat, and creation of an unprecedented number of forums and platforms for young people, to shape their work and, by extension, leadership of the world.
- The Commonwealth Youth Awards, which have honoured over 120 young leaders whose work is transforming their communities and inspiring a new generation of leadership.
- Through partnerships with global tech giants, equipped tens of thousands of young people with digital skills and the launch of the virtual Commonwealth Museum.
- Policy initiatives such as the Youth Economy launched by the PM of St Lucia, and the establishment of the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance (CAYA), bringing to life for the first time a regional youth platform in Asia.
- The Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting, which resulted in the landmark Marlborough House Commitments - 10 clear policy actions that, if implemented in the next three years, will deliver on the Commonwealth’s promise to its young people.
- The pioneering Youth Development Index (YDI) which has been an essential tool in supporting youth development. Governments inside and outside the Commonwealth use the YDI extensively to make critical judgements on policies, programmes and initiatives.
- Through Year of Youth, the celebration and amplification of the voices of young people who form the vibrant core of the Commonwealth family.
