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Youth

Strong leadership celebrated during the 10th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Council

On 12 August, youth leaders across the Commonwealth converged for the 10th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC). Celebrated on International Youth Day, the event featured addresses from representatives of the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), which has empowered and supported young people for the last 50 years. 
Read news - Strong leadership celebrated during the 10th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Council

Uniting for peace: Commonwealth, global partners celebrate International Youth Day 2024

On 12 August 2024, representatives from youth, peace-building, community, civil society, faith, and advocacy organisations will participate in a series of events and an online broadcast featuring young people doing extraordinary projects, sharing inspiring stories and opportunities for young people to get involved with transformational initiatives.
Read news - Uniting for peace: Commonwealth, global partners celebrate International Youth Day 2024

Youth Live

The Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with the Khalili Foundation and Peace One Day, will host a celebratory event live from our headquarters at Marlborough House on 12 August. The day will include launches, inspiring interviews and engaging content from Year of Youth activities.

The world faces a $10 trillion economic loss from children and youth not learning. We need urgent action, now.

As we bring out our new report, “The price of inaction: The global private, fiscal and social costs of children and youth not learning,” we are alarmed over the looming financial costs of children not attending or leaving school early and not acquiring basic skills, such as literacy and numeracy. At the same time, we can see the massive benefits of investing in education across the globe and the huge gains from achieving the education Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) of inclusive and equitable education for all.
Read news - The world faces a $10 trillion economic loss from children and youth not learning. We need urgent action, now.

CSET Youth

We need energy that doesn't harm the environment and won't run out! That's what we call 'sustainable energy'. By the year 2030, we want to make sure everyone has affordable, reliable, clean and sustainable energy. This means we need to work together and make big changes in how we make and use energy.

The Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Youth Action Group (CSET Youth) is a youth-led action-oriented working group that represents youth and young professionals from across the 56 Commonwealth countries to accelerate the sustainable energy transition.

“Small Island Developing States' challenges are serious, but together we are more than equal to them,” says Commonwealth Secretary-General at SIDS4

Commonwealth-Secretary-General the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, delivered a compelling plenary speech today at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) held in Antigua and Barbuda. Addressing the critical challenges faced by small states, she underscored the Commonwealth's unwavering commitment to championing their causes on the global stage.
Read news - “Small Island Developing States' challenges are serious, but together we are more than equal to them,” says Commonwealth Secretary-General at SIDS4

Commonwealth Champions Youth-Led Solutions at SIDS4 Summit

The Global Children and Youth Action Summit (GCYAS) has concluded with a powerful call to action from young people from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), urging world leaders to address critical issues such as education, climate change, healthcare, and poverty. The Summit, held at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus in Antigua from May 24-26, is followed by the Fourth UN Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) Conference from May 27-30.
Read news - Commonwealth Champions Youth-Led Solutions at SIDS4 Summit

Global Children and Youth Action Summit and SIDS4 Conference

24 May 2024 to 26 May 2024
(Antigua and Barbuda Time)
Conference
The SIDS Global Children and Youth Action Summit (GCYAS) will be held from 24 – 26 May 2024, ahead of the Fourth UN SIDS Conference (SIDS4), which is set to take place in Antigua and Barbuda from 27 – 30 May 2024. The Commonwealth Secretariat is partnering with UNICEF, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Ashley Lashley Foundation to support this Summit.

Addressing the Rising Burden of Non-communicable Diseases in the Commonwealth: Full Report

The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is not equitable in the world or across the Commonwealth. NCDs are collectively responsible for the deaths of 41 million people per year, accounting for 74 per cent of deaths worldwide. Each year, 17 million people die from an NCD before the age of 70 – and almost 50 per cent of these deaths occur in Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth is disproportionately affected by premature, preventable deaths due to NCDs, which in turn have a profound impact on economic prosperity and are a major threat to sustainable development.
Read publication - Addressing the Rising Burden of Non-communicable Diseases in the Commonwealth: Full Report

Higher education to play an urgent role in tackling global challenges

Blog by Fariba Soetan, Head of Policy and Research at the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).

As 13 nations across the Commonwealth head to the ballot box this year, and families, parents and citizens consider their priorities for the ensuing decade, attention turns towards the global effort to tackle world challenges, outlined in the UN sustainable development goals and slated for achievement by 2030 and beyond.
Read news - Higher education to play an urgent role in tackling global challenges