CREATING A MORE PROSPEROUS COMMONWEALTH IN BUSINESS


commitment to promoting youth engagement and empowerment. A coalition of national youth councils and other youth-led civil society bodies, the CYC is the official representative voice of the 1.2 billion young people in the Commonwealth.


made in the education sector, there remain obstacles in regards to access and quality of education. Additionally, many young people are not acquiring the relevant skills they need for the changing labour market of the future, and transitions from education to full-time work are becoming more challenging. Consequently, a plea was made for member states to extend access to free universal early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary education of the highest quality. Participants also appealed to governments to prioritise gender responsive policies, and to create and/ or enforce legislation for the treatment and support of mental health issues among adolescents and young people.


One clear message that resonated at CYF is that young people are ready and able to lead change on the challenges that affect them. It is therefore imperative that they are


adequately resourced and allowed opportunities to contribute, in order to fulfil their potential as assets to national development. In the Commonwealth, the meaningful inclusion of young people is not just a talking point – it is something that we promote at all stages of our work. To us, empowerment means creating and supporting enabling conditions, under which young people can act on their own behalf, on their own terms, rather than at the direction of others. The Youth Forum is only


one of our institutionalised platforms for youth leaders to access decision-makers at the highest levels. There is the Youth Dialogue with Heads of Government at CHOGM, Youth Leaders Forums at Youth and Educations Ministers Meetings, and inclusion in official delegations to key global and regional meetings.


Young people deserve a seat at the proverbial table, and the recognition and resources that this presupposes. A large part of our work focuses on supporting them to design and drive youth- led initiatives. We understand that global development goals can only be achieved by utilising the creative power and capabilities of our young people. In light of this, we have helped youth leaders in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe form regional and global connections, build knowledge and capacity, and unite and amplify their voices through the establishment of multiple youth networks on themes such as entrepreneurship (Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs), education and students’ rights (Commonwealth Students Association), climate change (Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network), and democracy and participation (Commonwealth Youth Council). The Council (also known as the CYC) was first established in 2013, and is tangible proof of our


It works to mobilise the voices of young people and advocates their integration into the development work of the Commonwealth at national, regional, and pan- Commonwealth levels. It also provides a sustainable platform for unified engagement with decision-makers and youth-led development initiatives. In just two short years, the CYC has become a trusted partner of the Commonwealth Secretariat and other organisations with a focus on youth development. It has become a leading voice for young people’s interests globally, helping to ensure that their aspirations are represented and heard, and that practical action is taken to meet their needs. The CYC, and the other Commonwealth youth networks, are an invaluable resource that must be tapped by policy- makers and decision-makers. These networks are already driving significant projects, such as climate change recommendations to CHOGM and COP21, and legal support to national students associations. These young activists are leading real change in their communities, regions, and even on the international stage. Their technical expertise, combined with their youthful creativity and energy, provide a refreshing perspective and approach to doing things. We would be wise to recognise them, and the millions of outstanding young people in the Commonwealth, as the vital and valued investment that they are. For over 40 years, the Commonwealth has had a dedicated focus on youth


development, which has given us a significant position in this global space. We remain one of the few international organisations that convene summits such as CYF, and we have been a leader in ensuring authentic youth participation with Ministers and Heads of Government in Commonwealth meetings. At the macro level, our work is aimed at shifting the mind- sets of decision-makers who can help effect the systemic change that will create permanent, self-sustaining mechanisms for youth development. With that in mind, the 2015 Youth Forum may possibly be remembered as a pivotal moment in the Commonwealth youth development timeline. At the concluding press conference of CHOGM, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta highlighted the Heads’ participation in the CHOGM Youth Dialogue, focused on engaging young people and increasing youth participation in the Commonwealth. In that same interview, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama revealed that during their retreat, Heads of Government had discussed the importance of increasing the involvement of young people in decision-making and national development. For so long, we have heard the rhetoric about young people being the leaders of tomorrow. However, there now seems to be growing awareness of them as active leaders of today, who are important drivers of development, democracy and peace. At CYF, youth leaders pledged their support as stakeholders for the economic, environmental, social and political development of our countries and the Commonwealth as a whole. A prosperous Commonwealth will be one in which they are included as true partners in development, able to advance shared values and fulfil their potential as change-makers.


The Parliamentarian | 2016: Issue One | 51


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