The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Youth Summits give young people a taste of international politics at the highest level.
Imagine you are the Indian Foreign Minister. You have one minute to present your country’s perspective on the challenge of malaria to world leaders from 53 other countries. Later, you have to defend your stance on nuclear weapons and explain how you feel about the Millennium Development Goals. This is just a taste of what the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Youth Summits demand.
The summits offer a unique opportunity for young people to have their say. As well as exposing students to key international debates, they help to build essential skills in public speaking and advocacy.
This year’s summits took place across the UK in February and March, in Cambridge, Cardiff, Glasgow and Oxford, facilitated by a team of 17 young volunteers from ten different Commonwealth countries. They focused on the issues of universal primary education and the prevention of malaria. Participants were also introduced to the Commonwealth, its diversity and its core values.
Up to 120 participants aged 14-18 took part in each event, learning about international development through interactive workshops and participation in a mock Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in which delegates debated global issues while playing the role of prime minister, president, foreign minister or journalist.
A selection of participants from each of the four regional meetings was then chosen to attend the National Summit held in London on 19 and 20 April. This group had the opportunity to visit a range of Commonwealth High Commissions and speak to diplomatic staff about the development challenges their countries face. They convened at Marlborough House, home of the Commonwealth Secretariat, to debate ways in which young people in the UK can address global inequalities and make a difference to the world around them, concluding with the presenting of action plans. The participants then created a final communiqué, which was presented to Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, the Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General.
Participant: Mohammad, 15, Glasgow
I feel like the Summit was a rare opportunity for people our age to get our views heard. It was very interesting hearing the opinions of different people my age. The discussion on the dangers of malaria, and the importance of raising awareness, was particularly eye-opening. It was also interesting learning how the Commonwealth actually works. I particularly enjoyed being able to debate and take part in the role-playing activities. Everyone got really involved and there were some very good points made. The whole Summit was an excellent experience for me.
Participant: Sarah, 16, Cambridge
I really liked going to all of the different High Commissions and finding out about the various Commonwealth countries like Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago. I learned so much about the Commonwealth and the Millennium Development Goals that I really didn’t know before. It was exciting meeting the Deputy Secretary-General, too. It was great to be able to visit London and meet people from all over the UK and make new friends. I particularly loved the debates. Learning about different countries and different issues means I now have a better understanding of what I can personally do to help.
