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Advancing youth development agenda by integrating young people into the development work

Our Mission
About Us

Our History

The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) is the official representative voice of the more than 1.2 billion young people in the Commonwealth.

The CYC was first established in 2013 with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Commonwealth Youth Programme. It was endorsed by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their biennial summit in Sri Lanka as an ‘autonomous, youth-led organization

About Us

Our Mission & Vision Statements

Our Mission

The CYC works to mobilize the voices of young people and advocate for governments to engage young people meaningfully. It partners with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other youth-led organizations focusing on youth development.

Our Vision

CYC aims to further advance the youth development agenda by integrating young people into the development work of the Commonwealth at national, regional, and Pan-Commonwealth levels. It also seeks to provide a sustainable platform for unified engagement with decision-makers and youth-led development initiatives
Leadership

Our Executive Leadership

Led by a ten-member executive, the CYC acts as a coalition of national youth councils and other youth-led civil society and private sector bodies from across the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth.

Joshua Opey

Chairperson
Ghana

Gurdit Singh Vohra

Vice- Chairperson
Partnerships & Resources

Neema S. Abdikadir

VICE-CHAIRPERSON
Inclusion & Engagement

Falit Sijariya

Vice-ChairPERSON
Policy & Advocacy

Farhana Jan

REPRESENTATIVE
Special Interest Groups

Rosy Schaneck

REGIONAL REP.
Africa

Muskaan Anand

REGIONAL REP.
For Asia

Amanda J. Slew

REGIONAL REP.
The Carribean

Moeloto T. Tiatia

REGIONAL REP.
The Pacific

Eunice Oluwafeyisayo

REGIONAL REP.
Europe & Canada
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Countries

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Executives

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Committees

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Billion Participants

Our Committees

  • Chairperson’s Committee
  • Partnership and Resource Committee
  • Policy and Advocacy Committee
  • Inclusion and Engagement Committee
  • Caribbean and Americas Regional Committee
  • Africa Regional Committee
  • Europe and America Regional Committee
  • Asia Regional Committee
  • Pacific Regional Committee
  • Special Interest Group Committee

Statement

As Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), I welcome you to our official website. We are the voice of over 1.5 billion young people across the Commonwealth, working tirelessly to promote youth empowerment, education, and employment. Our mission is to empower young people to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous Commonwealth. By working together, we can address the pressing issues that affect us. 

As I mentioned in my inaugural address, “I look forward to working with all stakeholders to bring a renewed commitment to meaningful youth engagement and deliver tangible solutions for 1.5 billion young people across the Commonwealth. We need immediate action on youth involvement at all levels to guarantee prosperity. The CYC will work relentlessly to ensure young people are engaged and involved as we strive for a resilient common future.” 

I invite you to explore our website, learn more about our work, and discover how you can get involved. Our website has various tabs dedicated to our projects, initiatives, and resources. Whether you are a young person looking to make a difference or an organisation seeking to partner with us, we encourage you to reach out and collaborate. Let’s work together to build a brighter future for young people across the Commonwealth.

We look forward to working with you.

Joshua Opey

Chairperson
chairman_cyc
States

Our Member States

About Us

Our Resources

The Apia Youth Declaration (2024)

Developed at the Commonwealth Youth Forum in October 2024 in Apia, Samoa, this declaration highlights young people’s key priorities and commitments across the Commonwealth. It addresses critical issues such as climate action, economic resilience, gender equality, and youth participation in governance. The document is a roadmap for collective action and collaboration, ensuring youth voices are at the forefront of Commonwealth developm.

Download

Commonwealth Youth Development Index (YDI)

The Commonwealth Youth Development Index is a vital tool that measures the status and progress of young people across the Commonwealth. It evaluates critical domains such as education, employment, health, civic participation, and political engagement. The YDI provides valuable insights for policymakers, youth organisations, and stakeholders to drive evidence-based youth development strategies.
Download

12th Commonwealth Youth Forum Declaration (2022)

Created at the 12th Commonwealth Youth Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, this declaration captures the aspirations and priorities of young people in areas such as sustainable development, innovation, human rights, and youth empowerment. It serves as a call to action for leaders and stakeholders to invest in the potential of young people and create an enabling environment for their growth and success.
Download
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Chairperson

Joshua K. Opey

Joshua is a young Ghanaian committed to Youth Development. He is a Brands and Communication professional with years of experience utilizing his brand development and communication skills to provide corporate access and quality education for young Africans. He served as the 56th General Secretary of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), providing representation and leading advocacy for more than 10 million students of Ghana. Joshua also served on the Commonwealth Students’ Association (CSA) as the Ghana Country Representative and Secretary of the African Regional Committee, where he leads advocacy for quality education for the 1.2 billion young people of the Commonwealth. He is interested in policy and advocacy, especially in youth development and education. Over the years, he has contributed to youth and educational policies through his roles with various student Unions in Africa. He holds a Master of Arts in Brands and Communications Management from the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) and a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Vice-Chairperson

Gurdit Singh Vohra

Gurdit Singh Vohra is a visionary leader who has made a significant impact in healthcare finance and global youth partnerships. As Director of G-money Private Limited he has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. An IIT Bombay alumnus and the youngest member of Mumbai University’s Academic Council, Gurdit’s achievements showcase his intellectual prowess and commitment to leadership and education
Vice- Chairperson for Inclusion and Engagement

Neema Sheikh Abdikadir

As a Kenyan advocate for inclusive leadership, Neema has held various roles that empower marginalized communities and advance youth and women’s voices. Currently, she is the CEO of the Institute of Democracy and Governance, leading initiatives that promote democratic values and transparent governance. She is passionate about driving transformative leadership and fostering socio-economic empowerment for women, youth and marginalized groups
Vice- Chairperson for Policy & Advocacy

Falit Sijariya

Falit Sijariya is a prominent global youth leader with a strong background in international youth diplomacy and advocacy who has played a crucial role in shaping youth policy globally. Notably, he was the Head of Delegate Affairs for the G20 Youth Summit 2023 and led India’s Youth20 delegation. Flair’s influence extends to various global roles including being a member of the UNESCO SDG4 Youth and Student Network and a Trainer with the Organizing Bureau of European School Students’ Union. He is also the Asia Representative for the Commonwealth Students Association.
Representative for Special Interest Groups

Farhana Jan

Farhana Bhat, a native of Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, is a multifaceted leader who excels as a peace activist, actor, and entrepreneur. With a strong background in youth leadership and advocacy, Farhana has represented Kashmir on national and international platforms, is founder and Managing Director of Miraas Events, and is a six-time national martial arts champion. With a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism, Farhana empowers Kashmiri narratives in film and beyond.
Regional Representative for Africa

Rosy Schaneck

Rosy Schaneck is a Pan-Africanist and emerging leader. She holds various roles, including working with the Young African Leadership Initiative. Professionally, Rosy serves as a Senior Consultant at a private firm and is a certified Real Estate Agent. She is also employed as Administrative Support at the University of Namibia. Rosy is passionate about sustainability, food security, gender empowerment, and youth development. She’s also an award-winning innovator, recognized for her Agritrack concept, a smart animal tracking system
Regional Representative for Asia

Muskaan Anand

Muskaan Anand is a transformative youth leader from Jammu & Kashmir, India, with over eight years of experience in student activism and social welfare. As National Convener of Students for Seva, she has inspired youth across India to serve marginalized communities through initiatives such as menstrual hygiene awareness, free education and disaster relief efforts. Muskaan’s commitment to social and environmental justice is evident in her research on wildlife conservation and her efforts to promoting collaboration among SAARC nations. Her work has had a significant impact on education, healthcare sand skill development, cultivating a generation of socially responsible citizens dedicated to building a better world
Regional Representative for The Carribean

Amanda Jessica Slew

Amanda Slew is a dedicated leader and advocate for empowering women and communities in the Caribbean. Amanda has demonstrated exceptional leadership and organizational skills through her role as Vice Chairwoman of the Caribbean Women in Leadership, Jamaica Chapter. She has also strengthened her expertise in drug abuse prevention and intervention strategies as a National Council on Drug Abuse Ambassador. Additionally, her experience as a Youth Parliamentarian has equipped her with invaluable skills in public speaking. Debate and parliamentary procedure. Amanda is driven by a commitment to empowering individuals, strengthening communities and driving meaningful change. She is poised to make significant impact in the design and delivery of exceptional training and development programs, particularly in the Caribbean region
Regional Representative for The Pacific

Moeloto Tuilaepa Tiatia

Moeloto Tiatia is a 23-year-old artist and fashion designer from Samoa. She currently works as an art teacher and former graduate at the first fine arts school in Samoa under the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa. Moeloto is a passionate young entrepreneur, with a focus on climate change and youth development. Through her work, she hopes to inspire others to use their talents for positive change and make a difference in their communities
Regional Representative for Europe and Canada

Eunice Oluwafeyisayo

Eunice Oladejo is an international relations and government affairs professional based in Ontario, Canada. She holds a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, with research focused on the intersections of diplomacy, foreign policy, and conflict resolution. Eunice has a strong academic background, having earned a BA in Political Science honors with a minor in Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction from Western University. Professionally, Eunice serves as a Government Relations Policy Specialist at UNICEF Canada. Her previous roles include Policy Analyst at Global Affairs Canada and Immigration