It is important for the youth to be empowered to shape things such as education, employment, economic opportunities, and fighting climate change, according to Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada. He said this during the 7th Intergenerational Dialogue on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government that concluded on June 25. The dialogue is a conversation between heads of government and five youthrepresentatives from regions of the Commonwealth to share various challenges the youth face and make recommendations. It is important to note that 60 percent of 2.6 billion people in the Commonwealth family of 54 countries are young people aged 30 and below. Trudeau emphasized that the youth should directly contribute to the policies and positions that Commonwealth puts forward as an organization. “We need you active and in order to do that, we need to make sure we are empowering you as much as we can,” he said. The Canadian Premier who arrived in Rwanda on Thursday, to attend CHOGM also urged the youth to take up leadership positions in politics. “As politicians, we tend to work on a shorter term cycle…we also have to know decisions we take now will resonate for a decade, for generation, particularly for climate change and that’s where your perspective…on how you are going to be living 20 years from now, is essential in government.” He added: “If we don’t bring all young people in demanding, shaping the better future for themselves, their community, the Commonwealth in the world, then we are missing an opportunity to get it right.” President Wavel Ramkawalan of Seychelles said that as politicians go about in election campaigns, they realize the youth become more and more disconnected with politics. “The reason is simple, they do not feel there is anything in politics for them, they do not feel the leaders are speaking on their behalf and at the same time, many feel that they are not being considered,” he noted. However, Ramkawalan said that the youth have an important role of breaking the cycle, “instead of keeping away, you have to get in and it’s only by getting in that you will make your voice heard and changes will happen.” Patricia Scotland, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, thanked the Youth Council representatives who voiced different concerns of their peers and assured them that the Commonwealth commits to reshape the future with them. Pakistan is expected host the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in January 2023.
