Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland KC the Commonwealth Secretary-General, has noted that in this world of today, the youths energy, creativity, and determination can easily be the driving forces behind collective progress.
According to Scotland the dreams, aspirations, and actions of the youth today only need to be empowered because these collectively have the greatest power to transform the Commonwealth and the world at large.
“Our world of change and challenge, bound by a tangled knot of economic, environmental and security challenges spanning global systems insists that we continue to intensify the drive for youth empowerment. Because young people are not simply beneficiaries of our efforts, they are active agents of change, partners in development, and leaders of today and tomorrow,” Patricia highlighted.
Patricia made these remarks at the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting(10CYMM) that is ongoing at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London.
The Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting is a significant conference held every four years, addressing youth policy for Commonwealth member states while promoting initiatives to strengthen each country’s commitment. The meeting also contributes to broader social and sustainable development goals from a youth development perspective.
This week-long meeting that commenced from 11 September will in addition serve as a platform for Ministers to discuss emerging youth development issues, assess the current post-pandemic realities in member states, celebrate 50 years of youth development in the Commonwealth, share practical ideas and approaches and identify collaborative opportunities.
Dubbed under the theme ‘Aiming Higher: Delivering More for Young People in the Commonwealth’ this meeting chaired by the Government of Pakistan has attracted High-level representatives from over 46 countries and six UK overseas territories, including 35 Government Ministers.
In his remarks, HE Jalil Abbas Jilani, the Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, reflected on CYMM’s theme, which was suggested by his government, and noted that the future success of the Commonwealth rests with the continued commitment and contributions of young people in promoting and sustaining the Commonwealth principles as enshrined in Article 13 of the Commonwealth Charter
“Aiming higher, delivering more for young people expresses the combined aspiration and commitment of the Commonwealth family to invest in and promote young people’s development, particularly through the creation of opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship,” he asserted.
On her turn, Ms Sarah Kemp, the Intel’s Vice President of International Government Affairs, urged the democratization of technology and informed the over 400 delegates about the transformational power of artificial intelligence (AI).
Ms Sarah also shared her views on its challenges, while highlighting the opportunities, with policymakers and stakeholders.
2023 marks 50 years of the Commonwealth Youth Programme and is an opportune time to set a new agenda for this generation of young people and those to come.
Decisions and initiatives agreed at the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting will then go before Commonwealth Leaders for deliberation and ratification at the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting to be held in Samoa in October 2024.