1. The Nkabom Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme
The Nkabom Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme is a life -changing youth project with global reach and international prestige. Bringing together up to 35 young people aged 18-25 in a different location every two years, this interactive programme builds peacebuilding and conflict resolution skills designed to empower participants to be leaders in their own communities.
Nkabom offers an unrivalled opportunity for personal development and cu ltu ral exchange and is supported by 6 Nobel Prize Winners and Heads of State from around the world. Alumni join an active international network of young advocates. In September 2010, Nkabom will take place in Rwanda . For more details about this project and how to apply, please visit http://www.thercs.org/youth/nkabom

2. The Young Commonwealth Competitions: Essay, Film & Photography
The Young Commonwealth Competitions continue the RCS's rich history of engaging young people in current affairs through creative expression. For the first time, they will bring together the world's oldest and largest school's Essay Competition (run by the RCS since 1883). our Vision Awards film competition and the Commonwealth Photographic Awards. Our Competitions already attract entries from more than 60,000 young people around the world each year, In 2010, we will be actively seeking to engage those under the age of 18 across all categories. The theme will match the Commonwealth theme for 2010: 'Science, Technology and Society' and topics will encourage young people to think creatively about issues affecting their own lives and those of others around the world. There are some great prizes on offer and a selection of winners will be flown to London for a Gala Awards Ceremony and workshops with leaders in their creative fields.

Competition deadlines will be 1" May (Essay), 1" June (Photography) and 1" July (Film). For more information and how to apply, please visit

http://www.thercs.org/youth/competitions

We hope that, through these and other initiatives, we ca n inspire young people around the world to think about global issues and take advantage of what theCommonwealth can offer. However,for our efforts to have maximum impact, we need your support in promoting these programmes and encouraging young people in your networks to take part. lease note that for environmental, cost and efficiency reasons we are now striving to stay in touch with our networks via email. If you or your organisation can be contacted via email, please let us know your details at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

With best wishes
Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, Director