The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) opened nominations for young people from member countries to apply for positions on the council.
The representative body of the Commonwealth’s 1.4 billion young people across member states, has nine executive positions open for the term 2021 to 2023:
- Chairperson (for this term, the post is open only for applicants from the Pacific region, as per CYC's rotation policy)
- Vice-Chairperson – Inclusion and Engagement
- Vice-Chairperson – Partnerships and Resources
- Vice-Chairperson – Policy and Advocacy
- Regional Representative – Africa and Europe
- Regional Representative – Asia Regional
- Representative – Caribbean and Americas
- Regional Representative – Pacific
- Representative Special Interest Groups (any region)
According to the Commonwealth, those elected will be tasked with developing and running the CYC, organise workshops and advisory panels, give recommendations for youth development, and attend high-level, policy-shaping forums.
“At a time of unprecedented crises rooted in disease, discrimination and disaster, young people are at a greater risk of challenges such as poverty, unemployment and learning losses than other age groups. However, they remain positive, engaged and vocal on the challenges and opportunities", said Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.
“Now more than ever, we must harness their exceptional vitality, impressive talent and unique perspective in our recovery and rebuilding efforts.
“The Commonwealth Youth Council is one such platform, which gives young leaders, who best understand the challenges of their peers, a seat at tables to influence decisions affecting their lives and future”.
Commonwealth citizens aged between 15-27, and with at least three years of experience working with a national youth council or a youth-led organisation, are eligible to send in their applications from January 15 to February 21, 2021, at: https://www.mi-nomination.com/cyc
Shortlisted candidates will have between March 29 and May 5 to campaign online, while the elections are slated for May 7 and 8, with results to be announced on May 10.
The Commonwealth first announced the open nominations last year, but later suspended the polls due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All candidates, including those who applied in 2020, are to resubmit their nominations.
The Commonwealth Youth Council was established in 2013, with aims to advance the youth development agenda across the organisation's 54 member countries and boost youth participation at all levels of decision-making.
Sign In
