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.
The hybrid task force meeting included government ministers and senior officials, representatives from the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) and Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Worker Associations (CAYWA), all supported by a team from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force was established as an outcome of the 9th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting hosted by the Government of Uganda in 2017. The aim was to monitor progress on CHOGM mandates referring to youth development and commitments made at ministerial meetings and to provide advice and strategic direction on implementation.
The three-day meeting, held from 13-15 August 2024, was also a stock-taking exercise that offered an opportunity to assess progress on the Marlborough House Commitments 2023 and the implementation of the Year of Youth 2023/24.
In an opening address, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, spoke about the significance of creating spaces for young people to engage leaders on issues that impact their development.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General said in her opening address:
“By bringing ministers and officials together with young leaders, youth workers, our accredited organisations and our global partners, we achieved the broadest possible consensus on the need for action to put young people at the heart of building the future we want to see.”
“The significance of our meetings resides in the space they create for us: to debate emerging youth development issues openly; to evaluate the ongoing programmes of the Secretariat and member governments; and to share best practices.”
Chaired by the Government of Pakistan, the meeting was held against the backdrop of political protests around the world, many of which were led by young people. Acknowledging the pivotal role of youth in these movements, the members of the task force underscored the urgent need for governments to adopt the policy guidance and actions outlined in the outcome statement of the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CYMM).
They also urged all member states to reaffirm their commitment to the values and principles of the Commonwealth Charter, particularly those related to democracy, human rights, and good governance, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and their concerns addressed through peaceful and constructive dialogue.
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Advancing youth development in the Commonwealth
Members of the Task Force noted the significant progress made on various Commonwealth youth mandates, including the Commonwealth Year of Youth initiatives, and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the Commonwealth’s youth development agenda. It was agreed that young people across the Commonwealth must be empowered to lead and contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future.
Significant progress has also been made in youth mainstreaming across various sectors, including health, education, sports, climate change, political participation, and trade within the Commonwealth Secretariat programmes. The task force also approved the revised Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Memorandum of Understanding and endorsed its submission to the Heads of Government at CHOGM for final adoption.
Recommendations for youth-led solutions
The meeting also reached firm commitments aimed at delivering more for the young people in the Commonwealth. Highlights of the outcome statement include:
- Members urged all member states to reaffirm their commitment to the values and principles of the Commonwealth Charter, particularly those related to democracy, human rights, and good governance, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and their concerns addressed through peaceful and constructive dialogue.
- A renewed commitment to ensuring the Commonwealth Youth Council is equipped with the necessary funding and resources to effectively advance its youth development agenda.
Looking ahead
The meeting concluded with a resolve to strive for greater collaboration among all stakeholders. The government ministers and senior officials from the Bahamas, Cyprus, The Gambia, Jamaica, Kenya, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, and Sierra Leone all welcomed the provisional plans and programmes for the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Forum. It was noted that the Commonwealth Year of Youth evaluation report will be presented at CHOGM, from 21-26 October in Apia, Samoa.
See photos from the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force Meeting
Read the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force Outcome Statement
Media contact
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Ijeoma Onyeator Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
