The nomination deadline has been extended for 9 youth leaders to represent the Commonwealth’s 1.4 billion young people on the Commonwealth Youth Council.
Have you got what it takes?
The nomination deadline has been extended for 9 youth leaders to represent the Commonwealth’s 1.4 billion young people on the Commonwealth Youth Council.
Have you got what it takes?
What you’ll do
You will:
- serve Commonwealth young people from 2020 to 2022
- run, manage and develop the Commonwealth Youth Council
- join and organise workshops, advisory panels
- help make policy recommendations
- attend high level, policy-shaping forums around the world.
You will be given a platform to advance young people’s ideas, innovations and cutting-edge solutions to pressing global issues like:
- climate change
- pandemics
- peace
- entrepreneurship
- gender equality
- democracy
- education.
Open positions
The open positions are:
- Chairperson (open to Pacific region applicants only)
- Vice-Chairperson – Inclusion and Engagement (open to all Commonwealth citizens)
- Vice-Chairperson – Partnerships and Resources (open to all Commonwealth citizens)
- Vice-Chairperson – Policy and Advocacy (open to all Commonwealth citizens)
- Regional Representative – Africa and Europe region
- Regional Representative – Asia region
- Regional Representative – Caribbean and Americas region
- Regional Representative – Pacific region
- Representative – Special Interest Groups (open to all Commonwealth citizens)
Full job descriptions (PDF)
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Commonwealth Youth council you must:
- have least 3 years of experience working with a national youth council or youth-led organisation
- be a Commonwealth citizen
- be aged 15-27
Nomination and election
Nominations must be in by 5 April 2020.
You need to be nominated by a national youth council or youth-led organisation.
Apply now to join the Commonwealth Youth Council
If the coronavirus pandemic means you have problems getting the documents you need to apply, we will accept your application on the basis that you will provide documentation when you can.
Shortlisted candidates will start campaigning from 17 April 2020.
You must be able to attend the Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) in Kigali, Rwanda, 20 to 23 June 2020, where elections will take place.
Message from the Commonwealth Head of Social Policy
Head of the Commonwealth's Social Policy Division, Layne Robinson, said: “Filling these positions is critical for the empowerment of young people all over the Commonwealth. That is why we are extending our application deadline to April 5th, in light of the coronavirus pandemic that has brought the world to crisis point and may be affecting those who would like to apply.”
He said: “Being a youth leader at this pivotal time is a great responsibility that requires hard work and commitment. But we know that there is an abundance of talent and unstoppable determination within our youth population. We look forward to hearing from you!”.
Message from the Commonwealth Secretary-General
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “The Commonwealth Youth Council draws together talent from all our regions, and provides a forum to focus and amplify the voices of young people.
“Its representatives combine ambition with action, and enable the needs and expectations of youth in our member countries to be heard.
“This helps equip the Commonwealth to tackle pressing social, economic and political issues, and alerts us to emerging global trends so that we can prepare collectively to deliver a common future that is fairer and safer for all.”
