United Kingdom (Commonwealth Union)_ The Commonwealth Secretariat officially inaugurated 2023as the Year of Youth. This pioneering mission will commit to the celebration and empowerment of the 1.5 billion Commonwealth citizens under the age of 30. The Commonwealth Heads of Government have decided to prioritize joint action on youth-related challenges such as climate change, access to education, skills development, and employment, as well as political, social, and economic involvement during 2023.
There will be a range of high-profile events and activities focusing on the well-being and prosperity of young people from the Commonwealth. During the 2023 Year of Youth, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, a long-standing advocate for youth, will serve as the Quality Youth Leadership Ambassador. In this capacity, His Royal Highness will advocate for the inclusion of young people and highlight their contribution to member nations. In the meantime, other youth champions and ambassadors will also be named.
The Commonwealth-Secretary General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, delivered her address at the launch in Marlborough House, London. She stated, “It is my absolute pleasure as Secretary-General to be here launching the Commonwealth Year of Youth and I am excited that the next 12 months will bring Commonwealth leaders, stakeholders and citizens together to celebrate and empower our 1.5 billion young people. Young people are at the heart of the Commonwealth Charter. Despite the many challenges they face, young people give so much towards every aspect of the social, economic, political and cultural life of our 56 member countries”. She added, “The Commonwealth’s future success rests with them. So here today we commit to investing in and promoting their development and engagement at community, regional, national and pan-Commonwealth levels throughout this year and beyond.”
During the launch, the logo and website for the Year of Youth 2023 were unveiled, and a presentation on the overview of the most significant youth-centered events that will be conducted throughout 2023 was featured along with an events calendar. The events include a variety of events including the Commonwealth Day, the Commonwealth Youth Games, which will take place in Trinidad and Tobago, the Commonwealth Global Youth Work Conference, and the Commonwealth Youth Awards Ceremony.
The Commonwealth Year of the Youth mission also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the famed Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP). In August, the CYP will also celebrate 50 years of cooperation with governments to enhance the education and personal development of millions of youths and offering thousands of others the opportunity to sit among world leaders and speak for their peers. Further, an Advisory Committee will supervise the planning and development of the Year of Youth and be responsible for ensuring that the events and activities represent the varied, talented, and energetic youth population of the 56 member nations of the Commonwealth.
The delegates who attended the launch were Ministers including Hon. Rosemary Mbabazi, Minister of Youth, Rwanda; Hon. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs, Pakistan; Hon. Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Uganda; Hon. Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Sports and Community Development, Trinidad and Tobago; and the representatives of the Commonwealth Youth Council, Commonwealth Games Federation, the Royal Commonwealth Society, and other youth stakeholders. The specific designation for the Year of Youth stems from a directive issued by Commonwealth Heads of Government who convened in June 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda. During the conference, Heads of State announced that the emphasis of 2023 will be on empowering youths, stakeholders, and governments in order to accelerate progress on youth-focused problems.
