The Royal Commonwealth Society’s youth leadership programme brings together young men and women from across the world. For some of them, it can be a life-changing experience
Last September, 35 young people travelled from all over the Commonwealth to Rwanda to take part in the 2010 Nkabom Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme. They came from 28 countries and spoke 30 languages. Some came from vast countries such as Canada and Australia; others from tiny islands like St Kitts or Cyprus. Whether from Malta, Malawi or Malaysia, some were Muslims, some Christians, and some of no faith at all. They were students, teachers, artists, scientists, lawyers and activists. And they all believed in the potential of young people to be agents for peace.
A flagship initiative of the Royal Commonwealth Society, nkabom means ‘coming together’ in the Twi language of Ghana, where the first programme was held in 2004. Nkabom aims to develop a network of young leaders who can pioneer peace-building initiatives in their own countries; to actively engage young Commonwealth citizens in international issues; and to foster friendships among delegates from different cultural backgrounds.
Building on the success of previous projects in Malaysia, Ghana, the UK and Cyprus, Nkabom 2010 took place in Rwanda between 5 and 15 September. The participants were all between the ages of 18 and 25. They had been selected from hundreds of outstanding applicants. Each had demonstrated a passion for international issues, a commitment to youth leadership and a desire to learn about other cultures.
Nkabom aims to develop a network of young leaders who can pioneer peacebuilding activities in their countries, engaging them in international issues
Rwanda – with its history of bloody conflict and its long, complex journey towards reconciliation – provided an instructive setting for the programme. Hugely supportive, the government of Rwanda gave its time and expertise with unbounded enthusiasm. President Paul Kagame himself spent several hours with the Nkabom delegates, answering their sometimes difficult questions and emphatically reaffirming his belief in the power of young people to influence a country’s future.
So what next for the 2010 Nkabom delegates? Over the coming year, four regional events in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and Caribbean will enable them to disseminate their learning and share their experiences with other young people. And after that, who knows? But, idealistic, impassioned and determined, it is impossible to shake off the feeling that the Nkabom story is only just beginning for them.
