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Commonwealth Youth to elect new leadership

This week, the north Indian city of Chandigarh plays host to young people from all regions of the Commonwealth for a conference to elect their new leadership

The majority of them have travelled for days – from the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, Africa and Europe. The meeting has been organised by the Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia centre, which is based in Chandigarh.

Despite the long journeys and jet-lag, the 45 representatives began their early morning session with remarkable stealth, fuelled by plenty of coffee. Many are new to their regional leadership roles and the session was dedicated to learning about the intricacies of the Commonwealth – including its different functions and incomprehensible acronyms.

The task ahead of them is huge, not least because they represent a bloc of people who account for 60 per cent of the Commonwealth’s citizens. Young people are often described as energetic, creative and ambitious – encapsulating the hope that our world needs.

Yet these same people are often marginalised and in some countries, account for 47 per cent of the unemployed. Meetings like these are crucial for developing the Commonwealth’s future leadership potential. If young people are given a voice on the platforms that count, then this will benefit us all.

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