As the race for the keenly contested Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) executive elections intensifies, the CYC electoral board has shortlisted 47 candidates to compete for ten seats on the council.
This year’s elections are especially significant as the Commonwealth Youth Council celebrates ten years of advancing the youth development agenda across 56 member countries and increasing youth participation at all levels of decision-making.
The successful candidates, who will serve from 2024 to 2026, will lead inclusive consultations, projects, and events to voice young people's concerns and shape youth development policies.
The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council, Kim Allen, said:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside governments, youth ministries, and youth development stakeholders across the 56 states of the Commonwealth. Every candidate has equal rights in this election, and the process shall be conducted with accountability and fairness. I encourage all candidates and the National Youth Delegates to treat each other with respect in the election process.”
The outgoing Chair hailed the organisation as a robust platform for young people to exercise their rights to political participation and influence decision-making.
Passing the baton
The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Head of Social Policy Development, Layne Robinson, encouraged young people across the 56 nations to participate in the election and engage with the candidates on their manifestos. He said:
"The voices of young people are essential in shaping the future, and this election is a critical opportunity for them to choose leaders who will advocate for their needs and aspirations across the Commonwealth. I encourage the voters and youth delegates to participate in the process and elect the candidates of their choice who shall lead the council to work on their behalf with governments and other stakeholders to realise their needs and aspirations.”
The CYC was first established in 2013 with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Commonwealth Youth Programme. At the CHOGM summit in Sri Lanka, the Commonwealth Heads of Government endorsed the CYC as an autonomous, youth-led organisation. More information about the CYC mandate and the election process is available on the Your Commonwealth website.
Timeline
-
3 September: Online campaigning begins with candidates unveiling their manifestos
-
14 September: Online campaigning concludes
-
16 and 17 September: Voting will take place virtually
-
18 September: Announcement of results
Find out more about the 2024 candidates
The 2024 candidates, in alphabetical order by the individual’s surname, is grouped by each role:
Chairperson of the CYC
-
Timothy Kadaga - Uganda
Timothy Kivunike Kadaga, a Ugandan lawyer, is committed to youth empowerment and leadership. He has established collaborations between youth organisations and leads programs that promote youth inclusivity and development, aiming to inspire the next generation of Commonwealth leaders.
-
Faye Nimoh - Ghana
Faye Nimoh, a passionate advocate from Ghana, is running for Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council to amplify youth voices globally. She has successfully led initiatives promoting education, leadership, and political participation, driving positive change in youth empowerment.
-
Daniel Obal - Uganda
Daniel Obal is a Ugandan lawyer, politician, and agribusiness entrepreneur passionate about youth, women, and children’s rights. With over five years of experience, he aims to revamp and strengthen the Commonwealth Youth Council as its Chairperson.
-
Victor Okello - Kenya
Victor Okello, a youth advocate and environmentalist from Kenya, has championed sustainable development and youth empowerment. He has led impactful projects benefiting over 700 individuals and is committed to advancing sustainable development goals across the Commonwealth.
-
Joshua Opey - Ghana
Joshua Opey is a youth advocate from Ghana recognised for his dedication to empowering youth and driving sustainable development. He has contributed to UNICEF’s global youth engagement strategy and aims to usher the Commonwealth Youth Council into a new era of progress.
-
Mwesigye Thomas - Rwanda
Thomas Mwesigye, a passionate youth advocate from Rwanda, has extensive experience leading youth empowerment and advocacy projects. He is running for Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council to champion the voices of young people and ensure meaningful youth participation across the Commonwealth.
Vice-Chairperson for Partnerships and Resources
-
Pannila Gamaathige Pasindu Maduranga Guneratne - Sri Lanka
Pasindu Guneratne, from Sri Lanka, has led youth development initiatives as the Chairman of the National Youth Services Council. He has represented Sri Lanka at international forums like COP28 and the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting, and he is committed to enhancing collaborations to maximise opportunities for youth across the Commonwealth.
-
Noria Kamutumwa - Zambia
Noria Kamutumwa, from Zambia, is a self-motivated and vibrant young leader dedicated to making an impact in the lives of others. She believes in the power of partnerships and collaboration to create a better environment and is committed to driving positive change.
-
Jovia Kisakye - Uganda
Jovia Kisakye, a two-time founder and climate advocate from Uganda, has raised significant funding for projects addressing health and climate challenges. She is running for VC – Partnerships and Resources to make Commonwealth Youth fundable, leveraging her experience in resource mobilisation.
-
Gurdit Vora - India
Gurdit Vora, from India, is running for Vice Chairperson of Partnerships and Resources to leverage his resource management skills. He has led partnerships with over 10,000 hospitals and co-founded the Harprabh Foundation, impacting underprivileged students and representing India at international forums.
-
Bridget Wilson - Ghana
Bridget Wilson, from Ghana, is a committed youth advocate with expertise in resource mobilisation and strategic planning. She is running for Vice Chair of Partnerships and Resources to empower young people and build partnerships that drive sustainable development.
Representative for Special Interest Groups
-
Khaleem Trevor Ali - Trinidad and Tobago
Khaleem Ali, a human rights advocate from Trinidad and Tobago, is committed to championing the voices of marginalised communities. He has tackled issues such as the death penalty, LGBTQIA+ rights, and climate justice, demonstrating a strong commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and equity.
-
Chris Boora - India
Chris Boora, from India, is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and a seasoned leader in driving social impact. She is running for CYC Representative of Special Interest Groups to champion the needs of underrepresented and marginalised young people.
-
Ozoigboanugo Douglas Izuchukwu - Nigeria
Douglas Izuchukwu, a disability rights advocate from Nigeria, has extensive experience in disability inclusion and gender-based violence projects. He is running for Representative for Special Interest Groups in the Commonwealth Youth Council to champion the inclusion of marginalised youth.
-
Farhana Jan - India
Farhana Jan, from Kashmir, India, is dedicated to promoting peace and stability in the region. She advocates for marginalised communities and has been awarded as a young achiever for her work in youth empowerment, de-radicalisation, and social services.
-
Shri Jhanani - India
Shri Jhanani, from India, holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and is pursuing a Master's in Public Administration. She has coordinated grassroots and global diplomacy efforts, advocating for underrepresented groups and striving to build a resilient youth community.
Vice-Chairperson for Inclusion and Engagement
-
Neema Sheikh Abdikadir - Kenya
Neema Sheikh Abdikadir, from Kenya, is a passionate advocate for the inclusion and empowerment of marginalised communities. She is running for Vice Chair of Inclusion and Engagement to ensure that every voice, especially those often unheard, is valued and represented across the Commonwealth.
-
Walter Osigai Etepesit - Uganda
Walter Etepesit, a human rights and climate advocate from Uganda, is running for Vice Chairperson-Inclusion and Engagement of the Commonwealth Youth Council to magnify youth voices, particularly from underrepresented communities, and to strengthen inclusive decision-making processes.
-
Qaiser Jamil - Pakistan
Qaiser Jamil is a dedicated youth activist from Pakistan with a background in international relations, legal advocacy, and youth empowerment. He serves as Secretary of International Relations for the Youth Parliament of Pakistan and has represented his country at the United Nations, advocating for youth rights globally.
-
Genesis Mwamba - Zambia
Genesis Mwamba, founder and Executive Director of the Lead Me Back Foundation in Zambia, has dedicated his career to advancing social impact through education and healthcare. He has improved the lives of over 80,000 vulnerable individuals and is running to foster a more inclusive Commonwealth.
-
Aaliyah Rodgers - Jamaica
Aaliyah Rodgers, from Jamaica, is a dynamic leader with over seven years of experience in youth leadership and organisational governance. She is passionate about amplifying youth voices and promoting diverse, inclusive participation across the Commonwealth.
Vice-Chairperson for Policy & Advocacy
-
William Awomoyi - United Kingdom
William Awomoyi, from the UK, is running for Vice-Chairperson of Policy and Advocacy to ensure young people’s voices are heard. As the UK’s Youth Ambassador to the CYC, he has represented his municipality on local and national levels and aims to pioneer a unified policy agenda for Commonwealth youth.
-
Denise Ayebare - Uganda
Denise Ayebare, a climate change leader from Uganda, has represented youth at international forums like COP28 and has made significant contributions to climate action and sustainability projects. She is a multiple award-winning speaker and a dedicated advocate for environmental sustainability.
-
Patience Chishimba Munkanta - Zambia
Patience Munkanta, from Zambia, is a passionate leader with expertise in driving innovation and fostering inclusive growth. She is committed to amplifying the voices of member states and harnessing the power of collective action to address pressing global challenges.
-
Arielle Daniella Kiara Neely - Turks and Caicos
Arielle Neely, from the Turks and Caicos Islands, is a dedicated youth advocate and Career Advancement and Program Coordinator for the government. She has successfully aligned students with diverse employment opportunities and is passionate about empowering youth through inclusive, youth-centred policies across the Commonwealth.
-
Ashraf Nehal - India
Ashraf Nehal, a Commonwealth youth leader from India, is running for CYC Vice Chair to amplify youth voices across diverse nations. With experience in policy advocacy and youth engagement, he is committed to driving CYC's policy agenda and ensuring the collective voice of youth shapes the future of the Commonwealth.
-
Debora Nti - Ghana
Debora Nti, an IT Project Manager from Ghana, founded Adepa Global Foundation to empower rural youth through digital inclusion. She is committed to advancing policies that create equitable opportunities and drive sustainable change, and she is running to bring her interdisciplinary approach to the Commonwealth Youth Council.
-
Falit Sijariya - India
Falit Sijariya, from India, is a global youth leader dedicated to ensuring that young voices are heard on global platforms. He has led the G20 Youth Summit 2023 and represented Asia at various international forums, aiming to serve the youth community better.
Regional Representative for Africa
-
Mervyn Courtard - Mauritius
Mervyn Courtaud, from Mauritius, is a dedicated community leader with a background in management and entrepreneurship. He has championed youth empowerment, driving impactful initiatives in education, employment, and healthcare, and was recently honored as a finalist for JCI Mauritius TOYP 2024.
-
Arafat Bakir Lesheve - Tanzania
Arafat Lesheve is an experienced youth leader from Tanzania with a strong background in sustainable development. He has led initiatives like the Tanzania Emerging Youth Awards and aims to champion the needs and aspirations of African youth in the Commonwealth Youth Council.
-
Trevor Kamogelo Oahile - Botswana
Trevor Oahile, from Botswana, is dedicated to empowering youth and promoting unity across Africa. With expertise in economics and policy development, he aims to amplify young voices and drive sustainable development, innovation, and collaborative leadership.
-
Rosy Schaneck - Namibia
Rosy Schaneck, a Pan-African youth leader from Namibia, is passionate about youth development and social entrepreneurship. She has led campaigns against gender-based violence and promotes educational development, aiming to unite African youth to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063.
-
Fernando Fernando Sozinho - Mozambique
Fernando Sozinho, known as "The Changemaker," is a youth advocate from Mozambique focused on addressing social inequalities. He promotes local actions with global impact and aims to ensure that African youth are included in decision-making processes on issues affecting them.
-
Husna Salim Sultan - Tanzania
Husna Sultan, from Zanzibar, Tanzania, is an environmental and climate advocate with significant experience in sustainable tourism and marine conservation. She has empowered youth across Zanzibar and is dedicated to driving meaningful solutions for climate change and youth empowerment.
Regional Representative for Asia
-
Muskaan Anand - India
Muskaan Anand, from India, is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and social justice. As National Convener of Students For Seva, she has inspired thousands of youth to address critical issues like menstrual hygiene management, education, and environmental sustainability.
-
Muhammad Tabish Hamid - Pakistan
Muhammad Tabish Hamid, from Pakistan, is the President and Co-Founder of Young Leaders Society Pakistan. He is running for Commonwealth Asian Representative to ensure that the youth of Asia are well-represented and their challenges addressed, with a focus on inclusive approaches and amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable.
-
Bodh Maathura - Sri Lanka
Bodh Maathura, from Sri Lanka, is an economic research and development professional focused on climate change and youth empowerment. He has represented Sri Lanka at COP28 and played a key role in forming the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance, aiming to unite Asia's youth for inclusive development.
-
Suchith Sindhe - India
Suchith Sindhe, from India, is a youth leader and meditation trainer focused on sustainable agriculture and environmental initiatives. He has led impactful projects like "Peacetrees" and "Forest by Heartfulness," planting millions of saplings and educating thousands of students in sustainability.
-
Danish Tariq - Pakistan
Danish Tariq, from Pakistan, is a passionate youth advocate with over a decade of experience. He is running for Asia Regional Representative to amplify the potential of Asia’s youth and ensure their voices are heard in shaping a resilient and united Commonwealth.
Regional Representative for the Caribbean
-
Dannyelle-Jordan Neema Bailey - Jamaica
Dannyelle-Jordan Bailey, a youth advocate from Jamaica, has a proven track record in leadership and policy development. She has championed mental health, educational equity, and gender justice, and is running for Regional Representative for the Caribbean to strategically amplify youth voices across the Commonwealth. -
Jordan Tyrik Calburt Clarke - Bahamas
Jordan Clarke, from The Bahamas, is passionate about youth empowerment and climate advocacy. As Chairman of the Progressive Young Liberals and a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, he is running to ensure that young people’s voices are heard and that pressing issues like climate change are tackled with urgency. -
Jessica Forbes - Trinidad and Tobago
Jessica Forbes, from Trinidad and Tobago, is deeply involved in various leadership roles, including the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Ambassadors and the UNFPA Youth Advisory Group. She is running for Regional Representative of the Caribbean to empower and unite Caribbean youth.
-
Amanda Jessica Slew - Jamaica
Amanda Slew, a law student from Jamaica, is a passionate advocate for empowering Caribbean women. She is vying for the role of Regional Representative for the Caribbean to influence policies that affect youth, ensure inclusivity, and represent underrepresented groups within the youth community. -
Jaheim Thomas - Barbados
Jaheim Thomas, from Barbados, is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment with experience in leadership and advocacy. He is committed to fostering inclusivity and driving positive change across the Commonwealth by representing and amplifying youth voices.
Regional Representative for the Pacific
-
Tylah Farani-Watene - New Zealand
Tylah is a proud descendant of Te Moana nui-a-Kiwa, with ancestral ties to Fai'a'ai, Nofoali'i, Taputimu, and Ngāti Maru. As a storyteller and communicator for NZ Māori Tourism, she advocates for youth, sustainable development, racial justice, and civic education. Tylah is dedicated to amplifying Indigenous voices and shaping a vibrant Pacific future. -
Leoshina Kariha- Papua New Guinea
Leoshina Kariha is a Papua New Guinean advocate with a background in Political Science from the University of Hawaiʻi. Her work as a Pacific Researcher has enhanced her commitment to youth, women, and children, focusing on indigenous voices and cultural identity. Leoshina aims to centralize youth perspectives in development, driving meaningful change.
Regional Representative for Europe and Canada
-
Eunice Oluwafeyisayo Oladejo- Canada
Eunice Oladejo, an international and government affairs professional with a Master’s in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, focuses on diplomacy, foreign policy, and conflict resolution. A former Canadian Delegate to the United Nations Youth Assembly, she has represented over 150,000 students and is committed to amplifying youth voices to decision-makers.
Media contact
-
Ijeoma Onyeator Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
