More than 40 young leaders from across the Commonwealth gathered in London for a special edition of the Commonwealth Leadership Series last week to explore what leadership should look like in a rapidly changing world.
The event, hosted by the Commonwealth Youth Council on 24 July 2026, in partnership with the John A. Kufuor Foundation, at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London, also brought together leaders from different generations to promote effective leadership as a catalyst for good governance and socio-economic development.
At the centre of the conversation was H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor, former President of Ghana, who drew on his experience in public office to share practical lessons with young leaders as they shape their own leadership journeys. Speaking to the young leaders in the room, he urged them to embrace technology and change while keeping people at the heart of their purpose.
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Former President Kufuor said:
“In an era defined by artificial intelligence, climate disruption, democratic pressure and economic uncertainty, leadership is no longer measured only by title or office. It is measured by judgment, service and the ability to hold ambition together with empathy”.
Youth leadership in action
For the Commonwealth, the President’s message comes at an important moment. More than 60 per cent of the Commonwealth’s 2.7 billion people are under 30. Across the 56 Commonwealth countries, young people are building businesses, defending democracy, responding to climate shocks and using digital tools to solve local problems. In her welcome remarks, Deputy Commonwealth Secretary-General (Corporate) Tania Baumann spoke about the value of bringing young people into decision-making spaces early, linking youth leadership directly to the Commonwealth’s work on democratic, economic and environmental resilience.
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She said:
“Young people are central to our Strategic Plan. Our responsibility is to create the conditions in which their leadership, ideas and action can grow — through access, opportunity, practical support and genuine influence on the choices we make together.”
Building on the call for greater youth participation, Joshua Opey, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council, said:
“Young people must take a front seat, building on the experiences of those who have led before us, and making the most of the connections and opportunities the Commonwealth creates.”
Building tomorrow's leaders today
The event also featured remarks from former Prime Minister, The Right Hon Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom and a leadership masterclass led by John Mark Williams, CEO of The Institute of Leadership, alongside Dr Pascal Brenya, Director of the Kufuor Scholars Program at the John A. Kufuor Foundation.
Designed as a practical capacity-building session, the speakers challenged participants to move from discussion to action. Young leaders were invited to identify a real leadership challenge, reflect on the skills needed to address it, and consider how networks, mentorship and structured support could help turn ideas into meaningful impact.
Looking ahead
Participants reflected on the event in different ways, but a common message emerged: meaningful leadership grows when experience and ambition meet in genuine conversation.
Some young leaders said the dialogue showed the value of intergenerational exchange, while others said their biggest takeaway was that youth leadership is not a promise for the future but a force already shaping the present.
Later this year, the Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) will take place from 2 to 4 November 2026 at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda alongside the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Under the theme ‘Investing in Youth Agency - Co-Creating Pathways Towards Shared Prosperity’, young leaders will explore how they can contribute as partners in building a resilient Commonwealth.
