The commonwealth is an association of sovereign nations which support each other and work together towards internal goals. The Commonwealth of Nations, often simply referred to as the commonwealth, is a political association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British empire.
Commonwealth Games is a quadrennial international multi-sport events among athletes from Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and with the expectation of 1942 and 1946, have successively run every four years since.
Heads of government declared 2023 the commonwealth year of the youth last year 2022 at their summit, their activities and programmes include entrepreneurship initiatives and other skills creating opportunity for youths.
According to one of the stakeholders, Christabel Derby, “The year of youth, launched in January 2023 by the common wealth secretariat, is devoted to celebrating and empowering the 1.5 billion people under 30s living in the commonwealth countries”.
The 2023 commonwealth is dedicated and concerned with bettering and improving the lives of young individuals and the world at large by supporting the young individuals. The youth champions in the 2023 commonwealth devoted their time to their services as they believe the voices of the youth are essential in decision making. The youths must be equally and well represented.
The impact include: Youth leadership, youth empowerment, Advocacy and youth engagement.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth youth games programme held on 4-11 August, 2023 in Port-of-spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
50 extraordinary young people have been selected this year. The winners of the 2023 Commonwealth youth Awards will be announced on the 14th September 2023 in London during the week of the Commonwealth youth ministerial meeting.
Host city: Trinidad and Tobag
Motto: one heart, one nation, one spirit
Nations: 68
Athletes: 1000
Events: 93 in 7 sports
Opening date: 4 August 2023
Closing: 11 August 2023
Opened by: President Christine Kangaloo
Main venue: Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Award ceremony: 14 September 2023.
Those shortlist includes; environmental champions, human rights activist, social entrepreneurs, and innovators across the Commonwealth.
Among the 50 participants, twenty of those who were shortlisted will be selected as finalists and the overall winners will attend the awards ceremony which is scheduled to hold on 14 September 2023. The young participants aged between 15 to 29, and initiatives that make solid and tangible contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In recent years, Nigeria has won: Gold 82, Silver 84, Bronze 105, Total: 271.
This means that each of the 20 finalists will receive a trophy, certificate and £,1000 to expand the impact of their work. And the regional winner will receive £3,000. One out of the five regional winners will become the commonwealth young person of the year 2023 and will be awarded £5,000.
The selected winner will also be announced at the 2023 commonwealth youth Awards ceremony officially.
- Adama Ojoagefu Mercy(21MC1023)
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State.
