Commonwealth youth meet to elect new leadership

The 2010 Commonwealth Youth Leaders’ Conference opened in Chandigarh, India, today with around 40 delegates from all regions of the Commonwealth meeting to elect their new leadership.

The packed conference hall included youth representatives, government and Commonwealth officials, civil society observers and around 100 local university students participating in a scheme run by the Government of India to engage young people in community development.

The conference was inaugurated by Shivraj Patil, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh. Young people carried their countries’ flags through the hall in procession and the panel of dignitaries lit the traditional ceremonial lamp.

Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, who oversees Youth Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat, gave the keynote address. She said that coming at the mid-point of the International Year of Youth, the theme 'Our Year, Our Voice: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding' is appropriate for the Commonwealth, which is characterised by a diversity of cultures, races, religions and languages.

“But at the end of the day, we are more alike than different,” she noted.

In her address, Ms Masire-Mwamba highlighted the importance of young people’s contribution to peace-building and the value of having youth voices on platforms where decisions are made about democracy and development. “We don’t want to give credence to the saying ‘Youth must be seen and not heard’,” she said.

Governor Patil spoke of the importance of international gatherings in creating understanding between the hearts and minds of people. And he warned against present generations devaluing what had come before.

There are many good things that happened in the past, but many bad things also took place, he said. The bad things should not continue, but this generation should also recognise the good that took place. If we did not, we would be losing something, he added.

Mr Patil emphasised that the material wealth enjoyed today and probably in the future would not necessarily bring happiness. Future generations would need to develop a mind that understands the meaning of justice, equity and love, not only competition, profit and exploitation, he said.

Tomorrow (Tuesday), delegates will cast their votes and elect the chair and deputy-chair of the Pan-Commonwealth Youth Caucus.

Four candidates from the Pacific region are standing for both positions, which rotate regionally.

Key Links:

• Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP)
• Deputy Secretary-General Masire-Mwamba