New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANS): Young people from India too are invited to join the Commonwealth Youth Council, one of the world's largest representing Commonwealth's 1.4 billion young people, an official statement said on Tuesday.
The council, one of the world's most diverse youth-led bodies, is seeking candidates for its nine executive positions to serve from 2021 to 2023.
The elected candidates will develop and run the council, organise workshops and advisory panels, give recommendations for youth development, and attend high-level, policy-shaping forums across the world.
At a time of unprecedented crises rooted in disease, discrimination and disaster, young people are at a greater risk of challenges such as poverty, unemployment and learning losses than other age groups. However, they remain positive, engaged and vocal on the challenges and opportunities, the Commonwealth secretariat said.
"Now more than ever, we must harness their exceptional vitality, impressive talent and unique perspective in our recovery and rebuilding efforts.
"The Commonwealth Youth Council is one such platform, which gives young leaders, who best understand the challenges of their peers, a seat at tables to influence decisions affecting their lives and future."
The call for nominations was first announced last year, however, the entire process was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The interested candidates, including those who applied last year, must resubmit their nominations.
Commonwealth citizens, aged 15-27, can apply for the positions until February 21.
The positions are Chairperson (open only to applicants from the Pacific region, as per the rotation policy); Vice-Chairperson -- Inclusion and Engagement, Partnerships and Resources and Policy and Advocacy; Regional Representative -- Africa and Europe, Asia Regional, Caribbean and Americas and Pacific -- and Representative Special Interest Groups (any region).
The candidates must have at least three years of experience working with a national youth council or a youth-led organisation.
Set up in 2013, the Commonwealth Youth Council aims to advance the youth development agenda across the 54 member countries and boost young people's participation at all levels of decision-making.