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.
Opening the event, the Vice-Chairperson of Policy & Advocacy at the CYC, Nahjae Nunes, noted that youth is at the forefront of coordinated protests in Bangladesh, Kenya and Nigeria while taking an active role during recent protests against violent crimes on young people in the UK.
While noting that International Youth Day is a time for the world to celebrate youths, Nunes noted that it is also a day to highlight and acknowledge the power of youth activism and influence on global affairs.
Amplifying youth voices and strengthening advocacy
The event's highlight was a robust panel discussion where young people shared varying perspectives with their peers and other youth leaders, including ZamZam Ibrahim, a climate justice campaigner; Dr Cherisse Francis, human rights expert and former member of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Youth Human Rights and Democracy Network (CYHRDN); Cici Manwa, UK Councillor, and Esther Horner-Aird, Deputy Director of Youth Work, National Youth Agency.
Ibrahim noted the importance of young people telling their own stories while challenging their leaders and entrenched systems. The discussion also focused on the importance of protecting young people who advocate for various causes. Dr Francis shared that those who protest are often on the fringes of society and may already be at the breaking point. Dr Francis urged political leaders to reframe their perspectives on protests and instead see them as an opportunity to engage young activists to understand their position.
Ibrahim also urged the audience to protect their mental health while campaigning for good.
Greater inclusion in the political process was also discussed as it was noted that one of the panellists, Cici Manya, at 19 years old, is the youngest councillor in the UK. However, she noted that not many people look like her in her workspace, underscoring the need for inclusivity. Manya cited the recent riots in the UK as an example, where her lived experience as a person of colour provided a useful perspective to the council, which she noted thankfully they listened to.
Esther Horner-Aird, a youth worker, noted that more structures are needed to provide avenues for a wider range of people to get work skills. Panel members spoke to the audience about the various ways of getting involved in the CYC, including applying to attend international fora, being a part of the political process, and using their voices respectfully on social media.
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The Commonwealth’s support for young people
The Head of Social Policy Development at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Layne Robinson, set the tone for the celebratory event earlier. He noted that this 10th anniversary is momentous – with the 75th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth falling within the Commonwealth Year of Youth and on the way to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. Robinson also noted that the day is both one of celebration and one filled with complex issues we must confront.
He also spoke passionately about the birth of the Commonwealth Youth Council a decade ago, noting its origins at a youth summit in India, where youth strongly advocated for an organisation where they could strategise and work together. He lauded the work done over the decade, saying the change has been transformational.
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However, he said the work is not yet done. He was disappointed that there were not more local and regional youth councils pushing for change. However, he did note that the initiative is still young and would continue to grow. He challenged the young people to hold their leaders accountable but to do so respectfully in the spirit of the Commonwealth. The energy of the youth, he said, is necessary to "build a Commonwealth that is fit for the future."
He also paid tribute to the staff serving on the Commonwealth Youth Programme, noting that many of them are young, bright, dedicated and hard-working.
Dr Terri-Ann Gilbert-Roberts, Research Manager in the Social Policy Development section, also underscored the need for leaders to encourage, empower and energise support for youth leadership. She noted that these turbulent times often help to forge strong leadership.
She also announced there will be awards commemorating the life and work of Dr Henry Charles, who passed a year ago. Dr Charles was a former head of the Commonwealth Youth Programme and was, until his death, the co-chair of the Commonwealth Year of Youth advisory committee. Dr Gilbert-Roberts spoke eloquently about his passion for youth and his role as a mentor for many young people and youth workers.
Media contact
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Ijeoma Onyeator Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
