(Commonwealth)_ In March, the Commonwealth Youth Programme celebrated the dedication and impact of young people while empowering them to make meaningful contributions to society. A major highlight was the two-week Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit (CYLS), which brought together over 40 youth leaders from across the Commonwealth. These young leaders came from a diverse range of backgrounds, including Commonwealth youth networks, national and regional youth councils, partner organisations, and finalists from the Commonwealth Youth Awards. The summit provided a platform to address key issues affecting youth development and to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to initiate collaborative, youth-led projects.
Beyond the formal sessions, the summit fostered lasting friendships, strategic alliances, and the early development of impactful initiatives. Participants also engaged in the Commonwealth Day celebrations, including a vibrant Commonwealth Youth Awards ceremony at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters.
A key focus of the summit was building leadership and advocacy capacity among the youth. Through workshops and presentations delivered by different divisions of the Commonwealth Secretariat, participants learned about initiatives in areas such as media, communications, climate action, governance, peacebuilding, sports for development, health, and trade. These sessions helped deepen their understanding of the Commonwealth’s mission and how young people can align their efforts with it.
Another major milestone of the summit was the launch of the refreshed Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) website. The updated platform is designed to enhance communication and collaboration among young people across Commonwealth nations. It features discussion forums, tools for joint projects, and resources for personal and professional growth. The current members of the CYC will serve until 2026, having been appointed during the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
The summit also included a special session featuring a fireside chat with the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, where participants—including online youth correspondents—engaged in an inspiring dialogue. She shared insights from her career and discussed topics such as balancing personal and professional responsibilities, leadership development, and building support for youth-led networks and strategic plans. Her journey served as a powerful example for the young leaders in attendance.
On 10 March, the youth leaders joined the Commonwealth Day reception at Marlborough House. During the event, they had the opportunity to interact with His Majesty King Charles III, the Head of the Commonwealth. For the finalists of the Commonwealth Youth Awards, the occasion was a chance to present their work and discuss its impact on their communities.
A notable moment during the event was the presentation of the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize, sponsored by the Khalili Foundation. The award recognized two religious leaders from Nigeria, Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, for their efforts in promoting peace and unity through interfaith dialogue. The ceremony was attended by government ministers, officials, youth leaders, and other stakeholders.
The Commonwealth Youth Awards continue to celebrate and elevate young people who are creating positive change in their communities. The awards highlight innovations that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in education, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and inclusion.
Stanley Anigbogu from Nigeria was named the 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year. He is the founder of LightEd, an organisation that converts waste into solar-powered innovations, providing clean energy to over 10,000 refugees across Africa. Along with this top honour, he was also the regional winner for Africa, receiving a total prize of £5,000. Four other regional winners each received £3,000 in recognition of their work.
The awards ceremony was streamed live on YouTube, Facebook, and X, and was broadcast by African Youth Voices Media. Attendees also enjoyed cultural performances from across the Commonwealth, including traditional Sri Lankan dance, Ghanaian drumming, and music from Samoa, showcasing the richness and diversity of the Commonwealth community.
