Youth | Commonwealth

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Young climate negotiators trained for increased and meaningful participation

As governments step up to the call to have more inclusive representation at high-level climate meetings to ensure youth engagement on this global priority, there is an increasing and urgent need to build capacity and upskill young people to negotiate the future they want to see.

Voices of the Commonwealth: Stories of resilience

“Voices of the Commonwealth” is a series dedicated to capturing these powerful narratives, showcasing the indomitable spirit that unites diverse regions under a shared banner.

2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards ceremony

12 March 2025 to 12 March 2025

(GMT Greenwich Mean Time)

Event

Join us on 12 March 2025 as we announce the winners of the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in London as part of a series of celebratory events marking Commonwealth Day.

Forty-eight candidates shortlisted for the 2024 Commonwealth Youth Council executive

As the race for the keenly contested Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) executive elections intensifies, the CYC electoral board has shortlisted 48 candidates to compete for ten seats on the council.

Next generation of young leaders to be honoured at the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Youth Work. The awards recognise the invaluable contribution of young people aged 15-29 and acknowledge their achievements towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ministerial Task Force advocates more collaboration on youth development

As the celebrations for International Youth Day concluded, the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force meeting began deliberating on initiatives to put to leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), setting priorities with young leaders and reviewing progress on youth development.

Highlights from the Commonwealth’s celebration of International Youth Day 2024

On 12 August 2024, the Commonwealth Secretariat celebrated youth achievements and contributions to a peaceful society at a time when conflict, climate change and digital exclusion have exacerbated inequalities among 1.2 billion young people aged 15-24 years globally.

Competition to find young Commonwealth Ocean Champions

Showcase your creativity, drive and passion for making a tangible impact on our oceans and climate.

Pivotal moments of the 50 years of the Commonwealth Youth Programme captured in a virtual exhibition

During a full day of in-person and online events commemorating International Youth Day, the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) team launched a virtual museum highlighting 50 years of supporting member countries with youth development work.

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.

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.

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.

Commonwealth Secretary-General concludes first Pakistan visit with new youth initiatives

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, and the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, announced three new initiatives, designed to broaden and deepen youth participation in development and decision-making.

Youth Live – a celebration of International Youth Day 2024

12 August 2024 to 12 August 2024

(BST)

Event

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

Opportunities to serve on the Commonwealth Youth Council are now open

Nominations are now open for young leaders to be nominated for executive positions for the 2024-2026 Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC).

Celebrating Youth Skills Day: Empowering young peacebuilders in the Commonwealth

On 15 July 2024, young people across the Commonwealth joined their counterparts worldwide to commemorate Youth Skills Day, an event that underscores the importance of empowering young people with the necessary skills to succeed in a challenging world.

New Commonwealth youth initiatives launched to promote better health and well-being

As part of efforts to advance global health targets, Commonwealth young leaders have concluded a critical three-day summit in London with the launch of two key initiatives: the Commonwealth Young Health Leaders Fellowship and the Commonwealth Leadership Institute (Health).

Eswatini's young leaders embrace Commonwealth Charter values

Young people who play leading roles throughout society in Eswatini, have been learning how values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter can empower them to become ambassadors for democracy, peace, and sustainable development in their communities.

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.

Commonwealth Youth Forum 2024

21 October 2024 to 22 October 2024

Event

The thirteenth Commonwealth Youth Forum will be held in Apia, Samoa between 21-22 October 2024 under the theme: ‘Navigating our Course and Building Resilience for a Common Future’.

Commonwealth Youth Forum: Navigating our Course and Building Resilience for a Common Future

The thirteenth Commonwealth Youth Forum will be held in Apia, Samoa between 21-22 October 2024 under the theme: ‘Navigating our Course and Building Resilience for a Common Future’.

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.

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.

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.

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