United Kingdom (Commonwealth Union)_ The stage is set for the much-anticipated 2023 Commonwealth Youth Awards, marking the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP). This special edition of the awards shines a spotlight on 50 exceptional young leaders who have dedicated themselves to addressing some of the world’s most formidable challenges and making positive change within their communities. Among these young leaders, 20 outstanding individuals have risen to the fore, vying for recognition through five regional awards, ultimately competing for the coveted title of the 2023 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year.
The grand awards ceremony was held at the historic St James’s Palace in London, where these dynamic youth leaders were honored for their transformative endeavors. At this remarkable moment, it is worth delving into the inspiring stories of these 20 regional finalists, who embody the spirit of positive change. Among the agents of change is Li Fei Chen, the Co-Founder of Lafiya Nigeria, a global health non-profit organization that is unwavering in its commitment to improving the health and well-being of women and girls in Nigeria. Lafiya Nigeria has set its sights on eradicating maternal mortality by ensuring universal access to contraception, having already provided life-saving contraception to more than 5,000 rural women.
Rebecca Daniel, an award-winning science communicator and the Director of The Marine Diaries, stands as a shining example of climate entrepreneurship. Through projects like “Plastic Not Fantastic” and “Marine Ecosystem Diaries,” she has rallied the efforts of over 60 volunteers and fostered an online community of approximately 50,000 ocean advocates. The Commonwealth Youth Awards extend their recognition to individuals like Shergaun Roserie, the director of Orbtronics Ltd in Saint Lucia, who are making profound impacts through social enterprises. Roserie’s initiative empowers young people by imparting vital digital skills, programming knowledge, and design expertise through a STEM education program, with the ultimate goal of nurturing innovative engineers in the Caribbean.
This year’s edition of the Youth Awards carries special significance, aligned with the Commonwealth Heads of Government declaration of 2023 as the ‘Year of Youth.’ It serves as a tribute to 50 years of championing youth-led initiatives for sustainable and peaceful development through the Commonwealth Youth Program. The 20 regional finalists represent a diverse array of talent hailing from different corners of the Commonwealth. These remarkable individuals stand as beacons of inspiration, embodying the core values of the Commonwealth and exemplifying the transformative potential of youth-led initiatives on a global scale.
Accordingly, the finalists from Africa are Mawuse Christina Gyisun (Ghana); Ghislain Irakoze (Rwanda); Deliwe Makata (Malawi); and Emmanuel Tlemu (Republic of Tanzania). The finalists from Asia are Soumya Dabriwal (India); Ahmed Imtiaz Jami (Bangladesh); Mathura Kannan (Malaysia); and Shaiwana Nisar (Pakistan). The finalists from the Caribbean are Ché Greenidge (Barbados); Maya Kirti Nanan (Trinidad and Tobago); Shergaun Roserie (Saint Lucia); and Akola Thompson (Guyana). The finalists from Europe and Canada are Yi Fei Chen (Canada); Rebecca Daniel (United Kingdom); Leejoo Hwang (Canada); and Meihuan Yu (Canada). The finalists from the Pacific are Raeed Ali (Fiji); Robea Daniel (Vanuatu); Nathaniel Diong (Australia); and Mond Goru (Papua New Guinea).
