National

10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting

LONDON – Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture, Mario Bowleg, leading a youth delegation in London for the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting.

Published

1 year ago

September 17, 2023

Megan Shepherd

LONDON – Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture, Mario Bowleg, leading a youth delegation in London for the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting.

The sub-themes seek to address the four e’s, education, engagement, employment and environment. This year’s theme is “Aim higher: Delivering More for Young People in The Commonwealth.”

The meeting aims to gather youth ministers, senior government officials, youth practitioners and youth delegates from the 56 Commonwealth countries to develop action plans for addressing issues affecting young people.

Bowleg, who serves as a member of the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force, chairing a roundtable discussion on the topic “Empowering young professionals: Promoting youth engagement with accredited and professional bodies”.

The session was co-chaired by Bahamian National Youth Delegates Palincia Hunter and Dr. Trevor Johnson, Jr.

Bowleg highlights the importance of youth inclusion and participation within commonwealth-accredited bodies and all aspects of economic, social and political life.

Bowleg telling attendees, “We must all recognize that young people are the greatest resource in our countries. However, they face many challenges in being meaningfully engaged in decision-making processes. This is indeed problematic as young people will guide our development, spur our growth, and enhance our ability to adapt to a changing climate.”

Minister Bowleg ended the roundtable discussion with a clarion call to do more than merely talk about the change that is needed but be the change and make the necessary adaptations in their respective organizations so that young people can be meaningfully engaged.