Latest content: Youth

To mark Human Rights Day, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland writes about the need for legislation and policies to ensure that wherever possible girls remain in school. Girls generally experience more barriers to education than their male counterparts, and this has been exacerbated yet further by the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Fiango Kumba in the South West region of Cameroon to Mumius Kakamega county in Western Kenya, two different but interwoven stories emerge of young people committed to ensuring peace in their communities and beyond.

The Commonwealth advocates sport as a vehicle for development and peacebuilding. Given its popularity and unequivocal prominence in the rich tapestry of the Commonwealth’s heritage, sport has huge potential to drive social change – and accelerate gender equality – across member states.

Today, many women and girls are trapped in cycles of abuse, struggling to find an escape route. This is a tragedy, not just for them personally, but for the whole of society.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed on 25 November every year. It launches 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence until Human Rights Day on 10 December.

Young people around the world are waking up to a growing list of new and harsh realities. Trapped in the shadow of a relentless pandemic, many are being robbed of the usual opportunities of youth and denied even the chance to socialise with friends and family.

A Commonwealth prize recognising the most impactful innovations in sustainable development has been launched by the Secretary-General.

In Commonwealth Youth Work Week each year we acknowledge and accord due recognition the critical role of youth workers, and re-emphasise collective Commonwealth commitment to working alongside young people through government and other agencies on action to advance youth inclusion and empowerment.

Nearly two hundred frontline youth workers have boosted their skills and effectiveness with training from the Commonwealth Secretariat. 

Young people can now apply for key positions to spearhead youth-led action on pressing global challenges across the Commonwealth.

Applications are open for eight young people to lead the charge in protecting and promoting human rights across the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is supporting a Jamaican initiative to get young people in the Caribbean more involved in politics.

The year 2020 has been challenging for young people. The COVID-19 pandemic has created new threats and exacerbated existing challenges and barriers

Exceptional young people can now submit entries for the 2021 Commonwealth youth awards to win prestigious titles and cash grants. The awards recognise and reward young people whose work has made a major impact on people and communities in their country.

Commonwealth collaboration is vital to the recovery of the sport sector which has suffered a crushing blow from essential measures to stem the spread of COVID-19. 

A four-dimensional strategy will be unveiled at a major ministerial forum tomorrow, to help governments sustain the sport sector ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Youth workers and civil servants in Grenada are attending a new training programme designed to help them deliver fit for purpose services to young people.

A new free online course will help people and organisations harness the potential of sport in their work towards achieving sustainable development.

The innovation, talent and expertise of young people are crucial ingredients in the fight against COVID-19, climate change and economic crises.