Commonwealth Action Series: Episode five on youth leadership in decision-making

Event date: 04 November 2020, 14:00 - 25 April 2024, 16:12

Young people will host the fifth episode of the Commonwealth Action Series to discuss ways to challenge the status quo and secure a voice in decision-making.

Young people will host the fifth episode of the Commonwealth Action Series to discuss ways to challenge the status quo and secure a voice in decision-making.

The virtual series is a prestigious platform for young people from the 54 member countries to shape a powerful message for the 2021 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

The fifth episode comes when young leaders are mobilising to push the rest of the world for positive change and are demanding a long-withheld seat at the decision-making table on issues particularly affecting them such as climate, racism, conflict and health.

Renowned young leaders from across the Commonwealth will lead the discussion to explore the barriers in getting the youth perspective across and to understand how justice and the rule of law can pave the way for them to influence decision-making.  

The episode aims to provide insights behind the lack of opportunity for youth to lead and participate in decision-making, and to identify solutions that can empower young people to turn their aspirations into action.

Sign up to attend this important conversation around the lack of representation and leadership of young people in decision-making across the Commonwealth.

Time: 14.00 – 15.30 (GMT) on 4 November 2020

Sign up to attend the episode

For more information, email [email protected]

Moderator and panellists 

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Moderator - Amílcar Sanatan, Trinidad and Tobago

Amílcar is an artist, academic and activist. He is also a PhD candidate at The University of West Indies (UWI).

His research interests include men and masculinities in the Caribbean and Latin America, youth empowerment, student development and cultural geography.

He is the Trinidad and Tobago representative for the Commonwealth Students’ Association and is a coordinator of the UWI Socialist Student Conference.

Amílcar is also a steering committee member of the Global Student Forum, leading the portfolio on human rights and solidarity, COVID-19 and racial justice.

Engage with Amilcar on Twitter | LinkedIn

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The Hon Travis L. Robinson MP, The Bahamas

Member of Parliament, The Bahamas

At the age of 22, Travis became the youngest elected Member of Parliament in the history of The Bahamas and Caribbean.

He is the founder of Rising Star Organization, an elite male mentorship organisation designed to train, empower and equip student leaders with the tools to become world changers.

A recipient of the One Young World Politician of the Year Award in the Netherlands in 2018, Robinson holds a Bachelors in Tourism Management from the University of The Bahamas.

Travis’s long list of achievements includes being a senator, founding and owing a tourism business, being an ambassador for the International Visitor Leadership Program for the U.S. Embassy and claiming the title of honouree in the United Nations Most Influential People of African Descent Class of 2019.

His favourite nugget of wisdom is, "Do not down-grade your dreams to match your reality. Upgrade your faith to match your destiny."

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Zuriel Oduwole, United States of America

Girls’ Education Advocate, Presidential Advisor, Filmmaker and Global Peace Envoy 

Zuriel has been called the world’s youngest filmmaker when at age 12, her self-produced film screened in two cinemas and showed in five countries across three continents.

She has used the art of visual storytelling to advocate for educating the girl child to prevent them from getting married at a young age and to provide them with learning opportunities.

Zuriel has met with dozens of world leaders, including the heads of Fiji, Ghana, Jamaica, Malta, Nigeria, Tanzania and Tuvalu to discuss solutions to various social issues concerning education, youth development, environment and global peace.

Engage with Zuriel on Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook

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Jalila Haider, Pakistan

Attorney, and Human and Political Rights Activist 

Jalila Haider is an attorney and a human and political rights activist from Balochistan, Pakistan.

She fights for human rights and the rule of law not only through legal means but also through street activism and campaigning.

As a socialist feminist, Jalila’s efforts have been recognised globally. She was on the list of BBC’s 100 Inspiring and Influential Women of 2019 and has also received the 2020 International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. government.

Jalila received widespread media attention when she went on a hunger strike to protest the persecution of her community members, belonging to an ethnic ‘Hazara’ minority group. Her strike was successful and ended when the government promised to strengthen security measures for her community. 

Engage with Jalila on Twitter