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  • Promoting youth empowerment

    Young people have a proven capability to lead change, and are a vital and valuable investment for now and the future

  • Youth Ministers Meetings

    Four-yearly Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meetings, including a Youth Leaders Forum assist member countries with the development of policy and the sharing of good practices.

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  • Youth Networks

    The Commonwealth Secretariat places special emphasis on supporting young people to design and drive youth-led initiatives

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  • Youth Awards

    The Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work celebrate young people from Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean and Americas, Africa and Europe

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  • Sport for Development and Peace

    The Commonwealth Secretariat advocates for sport to be used as a vehicle for peace and development

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Youth

The Commonwealth’s 53 member countries have a combined population of more than 2 billion, of which more than 60% are under 30 years of age.

The Commonwealth sees young people aged 15-29 as assets to a country’s development who should be empowered to realise their potential.

Young people have a proven capability to lead change, and are a vital and valuable investment for now and the future.

Commonwealth Youth Programme

The Commonwealth Secretariat’s youth development work is delivered through the Commonwealth Youth Programme, which has been supporting member countries for over 40 years.

Engaging and recognising young people

  • We support the effective participation of young women and men in development processes and promote their engagement at all levels of decision-making, including with Heads of Government.
  • We showcase and celebrate the achievements of young people in driving democracy and development, to demonstrate their capabilities and inspire further action.

Supporting member governments

  • We provide technical assistance for national and regional youth policies and create youth development frameworks, guidelines and tools.
  • We advocate for increased investments in youth ministries and programmes. 

Professionalising youth work

  • We promote the professionalisation of youth work by supporting youth work education and training and setting competency standards.
  • We celebrate good practice and advocate for national and international youth worker associations.

Commonwealth Secretary-General visits Uttar Pradesh Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland with a group of people at a school with children in India

On her visit to India, the Commonwealth Secretary-General travelled to the city of Gorakhpur in India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh. She took part in the launch of the Out of School Children Project, and attended the country’s first ever Sustainable Development Goals Choupal.

‘Work with us,’ young leaders urge leaders following London meeting Youth participants at Commonwealth Futures meeting

Young people have asked Commonwealth leaders to work with them in developing innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

Month-long special effort to help young people in Africa Group photo at Commonwealth Senior Youth Officials Meeting

African countries will spend this month giving special impetus to improving the lives of millions of young people. Beginning with Africa Youth Day on 1st November, the African Union member states, including the 19 Commonwealth countries, will focus on providing opportunities for young people in the areas of Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Engagement, known as the 4Es.

Commonwealth Youth Forum 2020 launched in Rwanda Youth at the launch of the Commonwealth Youth Forum

Young people and senior Rwandan officials have kicked-off the countdown to the 12th Commonwealth Youth Forum.

Show courage to make the world a better place, Secretary-General tells future global leaders Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, speaking to future global leaders

Courage is the greatest measure of a leader and young people should not be afraid to “go against the flow” when acting on their convictions, the Commonwealth Secretary-General has said.

‘Unite to change the world’ Secretary-General tells young diplomats Commonwealth Secretary-General speaking with young diplomats

The Secretary-General has urged young diplomats posted to London from across the world to pool their talent, knowledge and dynamism to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

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