Society and young people

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Commonwealth conference celebrates the power of youth work

The University of Reading in the UK was adorned with flags from across the Commonwealth to welcome speakers, participants and representatives from youth organisations who gathered for the 4th Commonwealth Conference on Youth Work.

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UK conference aims to highlight the power of youth work across the Commonwealth

Youth work practitioners, academics and policymakers from across the Commonwealth are coming together at the University of Reading, UK, and virtually, for the 4th Commonwealth Conference on Youth Work, being held under the theme, The Power of Youth Work: Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future.

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13th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting

21 August 2023 to 23 August 2023

Conference

The 13th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (13WAMM) will be held at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in Nassau, the Bahamas, from 21 to 23 August 2023 under the theme ‘Equality Toward a Common Future’.

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Ministers and senior officials agree on strategies to accelerate progress towards education goals

Over two days, Commonwealth Education Ministers, senior officials and other stakeholders met to chart the way forward for education in the 56 member countries. The education ministers met at Marlborough House in London for the Commonwealth Education Ministerial Action Group (CEMAG) on Thursday, 11 May 2023.

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Empowering young people by strengthening youth workers

The Commonwealth Higher Education Youth Work Consortium (CHEYWC), supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat, organised a technical workshop for youth workers aimed at bolstering the professionalisation of the youth sector.

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4th Commonwealth Conference on Youth Work

10 July 2023 to 12 July 2023

Conference

The National Youth Agency, in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, is hosting this year’s Commonwealth Youth Work Conference at Reading University, UK, from 10 – 12 July 2023.

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Youth Development Index (YDI)

There is a critical need to focus on making progress on development for the over 1.8 billion young people in the world. The global Youth Development Index (YDI) and Report – a gift from the Commonwealth to the world – is a tool which helps us to monitor changes in the situation of young people; recognise their contributions to the world; and support them as we all pursue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through this website you will be able to explore the scores that 181 countries have received on the 2020 YDI based on progress made for youth 15 – 29 years old in 6 areas: education, employment and opportunity, health and well-being, equality and inclusion, political and civic participation and peace and security.

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Footballer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tells Commonwealth youth to believe in their dreams

You must dream, believe in them and work tirelessly to achieve them, said world-renowned Gabonese footballer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in his powerful message to the Commonwealth’s 1.5 billion young people.

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President Buhari hosts Commonwealth Summit and reiterates Nigeria's commitment to unlocking youth potential

Nigeria has become the latest country to reiterate its commitment to fast-tracking youth development and supporting empowerment during the Commonwealth's ongoing Year of Youth.

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CSET: Children and Youth Challenge

Join the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET): Children and Youth Challenge! Details about eligibility and how to enter are below. The deadline for submissions was 10 September 2023 and is now closed.

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Commonwealth at Conference of State Parties to Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

13 June 2023 to 13 June 2023

Conference

The Human Rights Unit of the Commonwealth Secretariat will host two events in New York City from 13 to 15 June 2023, on the sidelines of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

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Commonwealth leaders pledge continued unity and to empower youth

Ahead of the Coronation, Leaders of Commonwealth member states met with His Majesty King Charles III at Marlborough House, the Headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

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Commonwealth and Caricom Secretariat running entrepreneurial skills scheme for 300 Caribbean youths

Entrepreneurial young people in the Caribbean are encouraged to apply for a six-month scheme offering bespoke business training and mentorship.

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Blog: Click, share and create to accelerate youth development and empowerment

As we approach major events such as the Commonwealth Youth and Students’ Summit, the Commonwealth Youth Games and the Commonwealth Youth Awards, the critical importance of our Year of Youth comes into sharp focus.

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Commonwealth Youth Leaders empowered during their two-week summit

It was no coincidence that youth leaders from all over the Commonwealth were given the opportunity to come to London to network, collaborate and be inspired at the Commonwealth Youth Leaders' Summit, held in March 2023. This year has been designated as the Year of the Youth by the Commonwealth Heads of Government at the last CHOGM in Rwanda.

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Commonwealth Secretary-General launches redesigned website for Commonwealth Youth Networks

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, has launched a new website, YourCommonwealth.org, for young leaders to collaborate, promote their innovations and initiatives, and advocate for action on youth development.

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Young people call for greater political inclusion in dialogue with Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers

Just days after celebrating Commonwealth Day, sixty young leaders from across the Commonwealth had a chance to speak directly with a group of Foreign Affairs Ministers and High Commissioners from Commonwealth member states at an event in London.

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Blog: Amplifying the voices of our youth in Commonwealth Week

As we near the end of a week of activities to celebrate the achievements and potential of the Commonwealth, the undeniable value, power and critical importance of this unique grouping of 56 countries spanning five geographical regions become even more evident.

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Commonwealth Secretary-General raises Peace Flag to mark Commonwealth Day

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has raised the Commonwealth Flag for Peace at a ceremony in London on Commonwealth Day.

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Opinion: A life without violence for every woman starts with making homes places of safety

By Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC

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Commonwealth Youth Networks convene to advance development goals

Young leaders from across the Commonwealth are meeting in London to consolidate and advance their goals and strategies for youth development.

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Year of Youth project to focus on training, employment, economic opportunities, and inclusion

Training, employment, economic opportunities and inclusion of the most vulnerable must be among the top priorities for the Commonwealth's Youth Mainstreaming Training Programme.

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7th Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development

4 April 2023 to 4 April 2023

Event

The Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, will host its 7th annual Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development on 4 April.

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'We cannot afford to fail our children': Secretary-General calls on Commonwealth to act together to end the institutional care of children

The Commonwealth must work together to end the institutional care of children and reform protection services to ensure: “every child is safe, protected and able to reach their full potential”, the Commonwealth Secretary-General has said.

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Commonwealth Youth Networks to hold ‘Townhall’ consultation on Climate and Sustainability

4 March 2023 to 4 March 2023

Event

Two Commonwealth Youth Networks covering climate and sustainability are hosting a virtual consultation for young people to exchange ideas and have input into Commonwealth work on protecting the environment in 2023.

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