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Youth

The Secretariat aims to give young people an opportunity, or access to achieve their aims and ambitions. This is done by creating and supporting the conditions under which they can act on their own behalf, and on their own terms, rather than at the direction of others.

For over 30 years the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) has worked to champion the rights of young people, ensuring their engagement in the development process so they play an active part in reversing marginalisation, poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and disease.

We push for young people to be represented at all levels of decision making, including a seat and voice at the table when Commonwealth Ministers for Youth Affairs meet.

We are a youth development agency with a single focus on youth in a systematic and decentralised youth governance structure conducted through our four Regional Centres which are located in Zambia, Guyana, Chandigarh and Honiara.

We have forged cultural, geographical and historical ties with young people, governments, National Youth Councils, Youth Commissions and civil society organisations.

We have access to and work directly with country focal points to deliver focused, customised and region-specific programmes to Commonwealth countries which sets us apart from other agencies working with youth.