Model Commonwealth Summit ignites youth engagement

From August 1 to 3, 2024, the Accra International Conference Center in Accra, Ghana, hosted the inaugural Model Commonwealth Summit.

This significant event, endorsed by the Commonwealth Secretariat, was a key part of the 2023–24 year's lineup of activities.

It brought together about 200 young people, including 150 delegates representing the interests of the 56 Commonwealth member states.

The summit aimed to empower young people by providing them with a platform to understand the work of the Commonwealth and contribute their perspectives on key issues impacting the region.

This aligned with the broader goals of the Commonwealth Year of Youth in increasing the visibility of youth work, highlighting their talents, and highlighting the positive contributions of young people to democracy, sustainable development, and peace.

The Commonwealth Year of Youth initiative declared at the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda emphasizes the critical role of youth in shaping the future of the Commonwealth. This initiative, which initially spanned 2023 and was extended to 2024, promotes youth-led action for sustainable and inclusive development.

It commemorates significant milestones, including the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Program, the 10th anniversary of the Commonwealth Charter, and the establishment of the Commonwealth Youth Council.

With over 60% of the Commonwealth's 2.5 billion population aged 29 or younger, the summit highlighted the critical role of engaging this demographic – a

population of 1.5 billion young people—in shaping the future of the Commonwealth.

The summit's opening ceremony featured insightful speeches by prominent figures, including H.E. Ms. Christabel Derby, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Year of Youth Advisory Board and Vice Chairperson of the CYC, and Mr. Nelson Owusu Ansah, Deputy CEO of the NYA.

Mrs. Freda Bediako-Puni, Director for the Commonwealth Back Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, representing the Foreign Affairs Minister, commended the summit's alignment with the minister's campaign priorities for the role of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, particularly youth, education, skills, innovation, and start-ups.

Furthermore, Mr. Richard Sandall, Development Director at the British High Commission, emphasized the importance of young people embracing Commonwealth values in building a more resilient future and the opportunities it holds for them.

The summit also welcomed Silvia Tizzi, Programme Officer from the European Union Delegation to Ghana, and Mr. Daniel Aryee, Policy Advocacy Lead from the Office of the African Union Chairperson's Youth Envoy, who expressed their solidarity and support for the summit's efforts in amplifying youth voices and contributions.

“The Model Commonwealth Summit is more than just a simulation; it is a platform for real change. I am confident that the discussions, lobbying, debates, collaborations, and networking that will take place here will inspire you to take bold steps towards creating a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Commonwealth,” Christabel Derby added.

One of the summit's highlights was the mentorship provided to delegates on diplomacy and networking. These sessions aimed to enhance the participants' skills, preparing them to become responsible leaders capable of contributing to the Commonwealth's development.

This part of the summit was particularly significant as it covered youth empowerment activities, fostering stakeholder discussions on developing the potential of the youth in utilising opportunities and initiating sustainable initiatives relevant within the Commonwealth member states and the Commonwealth Community at large.

Delegates were grouped into three central committees: the Committee on Governance, Security, and Internationalization (C.GSI), the Committee on Education, Social, and Environment (C.ESE), and the Committee on Cooperation, Inclusivity, and Development (C.CID).

Each committee engaged in thorough discussions, addressing critical issues relevant to their respective domains. The resolutions formulated by these committees will be forwarded to the Commonwealth Secretariat and other relevant stakeholders.

With the active involvement of the Commonwealth Secretariat and other stakeholders, these resolutions are intended to be integrated into policies, ensuring that the voices and ideas of the youth are represented in the decision-making processes that shape the future of the Commonwealth.

The summit provided a platform for young leaders to assemble, share ideas, and develop actionable resolutions. It highlighted the immense potential of youth to drive positive change and instilled a sense of pride and optimism in all those involved.

“As we reflect on this summit's accomplishments, it is evident that the Commonwealth's future lies in the hands of its youth. The Model Commonwealth Summit has laid a strong foundation for ongoing engagement and development, ensuring that young people remain at the forefront of the Commonwealth's vision for a more inclusive, cooperative, and prosperous future,” said Mr. Martinson Yeboah, Executive Director of the Model Commonwealth Summit and Founding Director for the Organization for Policy and Leadership Development (OPLD).