C'wealth Youth Forum in full swing

The forum was inaugurated by Dr Lawrence Gonzi, prime minister of Malta, with remarks by Commonwealth Deputy Secretary General Florence Mugasha, according to a news received from Commonwealth Secretariat yesterday.

The CYF, which will run up to November 23, brought together more than 100 young people from across the Commonwealth countries. This event is organised by the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council, the National Youth Council of Malta and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment of Malta.

Andrew Simmons, deputy director of the Youth Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat, said the CYF would discuss strategies to address challenges faced by young people.

"There will be special workshops on areas such as project management and development, especially in the area of enterprise development for young people. We will be discussing training opportunities and offering them avenues to access these programmes to develop sustainable livelihoods."

"We are also looking to develop the Ambassadors for Positive Living programme of peer counselling and raising awareness about HIV/Aids. We would like to get more young people involved at the national level to deal with this issue," said Simmons.

The CYF participants will also share their views on health and sexuality, Commonwealth values and principles, good governance and active citizenship, sustainable livelihoods and information and communications technology.