THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX TO ATTEND ‘YOUR COMMONWEALTH’ YOUTH CHALLENGE RECEPTION
Marlborough House, London
Thursday 5th July, 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will meet young leaders from across the Commonwealth at a reception hosted by The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, marking the culmination of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Youth Leadership Workshop at Marlborough House in London. The event marks an opportunity for The Duke, who was appointed by Her Majesty The Queen as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador earlier this year, to learn more about how the Commonwealth Youth Forum is supporting inspiring young people to shape the future. The Duke and Duchess will also meet youth representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga ahead of their tour this Autumn.
The Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) provides an opportunity for the young people of the Commonwealth to build cross-cultural connections and networks, debate the challenges facing its young people, agree youth-led initiatives to influence decision makers and ensure young people have a voice in its future. The Youth Leadership Workshop brings together the newly elected Commonwealth Youth Council Executive and leaders of the Commonwealth Youth Networks, with the aim of empowering these young leaders to think about the future, and their role in shaping it.
The final day of the workshop will bring together 120 young people, scholars, youth leaders, and youth representatives of High Commissions to take part in the ‘Your Commonwealth’ Youth Challenge event. Working in groups, these talented young people are encouraged to generate ideas about the type of Commonwealth they want to see in 2040. As part of a Commonwealth where 60% of the population is under 30, these emerging leaders will be asked how they can work together and use the networks they are building now to make their ideas a reality.
The reception will begin with an overview of the day, before The Duke of Sussex and the Secretary-General address the reception. Their Royal Highnesses will then meet the young people who have taken part in the workshops to hear from them directly about their ideas for the future, and the support they need to ensure that their voices are heard.
