Commonwealth Youth Forum kicks off on Sunday in Hambantota
Thursday, 7 November 2013 00:35
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa will inaugurate the ninth Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF9) on Sunday 10 November at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Hambantota.
CYF9 is one of the three main meetings to be held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 in Colombo.
The biannual forum provides a platform for youth leaders across the Commonwealth to exchange ideas and cultures, to build skills and network, and to work towards identifying the most vital challenges and opportunities facing young people today.
The five-day forum held under the theme of ‘Inclusive Development: Stronger Together’ will mark the formal beginning of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) as the official voice for young people in the Commonwealth.
During the forum, the Commonwealth Youth Council Constitution will be ratified and office bearers will be elected. The new executives will then hold a dialogue with leaders attending CHOGM during the same week in Colombo.
The youth delegates will also be involved in community service activities, attend an Awareness Walk for World Diabetes Day, and participate in the CHOGM 2013 Tree Planting Ceremony.
The CYF is supported by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development and the National Youth Services Council of Sri Lanka, the Youth Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council. It is one of the three parallel events taking place during CHOGM and will wrap up on 14 November.
