The Secretariat of the CHOGM 2026 has released an official announcement on selecting four highly energetic social media personalities to work as Correspondents of Social Media for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Antigua and Barbuda. Janet Simon, Gabrielle Hamlet, Lutrell John and Joshua Edwards have been chosen for their outstanding communicative abilities, professionalism in the digital world and narrative skills.
Under their new positions, these correspondents will play a crucial role in increasing the visibility of CHOGM 2026. The main responsibilities of these correspondents include live broadcasting, exclusive videos and community storytelling through various digital channels. With the help of this innovative project, the organizers aim at connecting the youth audience with diplomatic meetings by maintaining high standards of accuracy and ethics.
The selection process was strict as applicants needed to exhibit a high level of mastery of the English language and ability to tell stories in a newsworthy style. Apart from the editorial skills, the applicants were expected to have technical skills in producing videos in high definition, particularly regarding sound, lighting and framing. The backgrounds of the applicants show a commitment to leadership, as they have affiliations to key institutions like the National Youth Ambassador Programme, CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme or several National Youth Parliaments.
Moreover, the applicants have shown a genuine interest in the thematic pillars of the Commonwealth which include climate change, gender equality, civil society and youth empowerment. Therefore, the digital story will be genuine and well-researched. The panel that adjudicated on the applicants’ performance included members of the Commonwealth Secretariat and CHOGM 2026 Taskforce who expressed their admiration for the high level of intelligence and professionalism of the finalists.
Co-Chair of the Committee, Sharifa George felt proud of the entire group because their dedication and unique talents left an impression on the evaluation panel. As Antigua and Barbuda is set to host this historic international summit, the secretariat feels excited about bringing new ideas to the table through these four correspondents who will bring vibrancy to the online conversation of the summit.
