OUR CORRESPONDENT
ISLAMABAD: As the race for the prestigious Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) executive elections intensifies, three dynamic young leaders from Pakistan have been shortlisted among the 48 candidates representing various Commonwealth nations, vying for ten key leadership positions. The upcoming elections, scheduled to be held virtually from September 16-17, 2024, will decide the council’s leadership, tasked with guiding youth development initiatives from 2024 to 2026.
Representing Pakistan in this year’s election are Qaiser Jamil, Muhammad Tabish Hamid, and Danish Tariq, each poised to take on critical roles in amplifying youth voices across the Commonwealth.
- Qaiser Jamil, running for Vice-Chairperson for Inclusion and Engagement, is a seasoned youth activist with a background in international relations and legal advocacy. As Secretary of International Relations for the Youth Parliament of Pakistan, Qaiser has represented Pakistan at the United Nations and is committed to promoting inclusion and greater youth participation across the Commonwealth.
- Muhammad Tabish Hamid, President and Co-Founder of the Young Leaders Society Pakistan, is contesting for the role of Regional Representative for Asia. His manifesto focuses on ensuring that the youth of Asia are well-represented and that their challenges are addressed through inclusive, innovative approaches.
- Danish Tariq, a passionate youth advocate with over a decade of experience, is also running for Regional Representative for Asia. Danish has dedicated his career to empowering young leaders and driving sustainable growth, with a particular focus on amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable youth in Asia.
This year’s CYC election features a diverse group of 48 candidates from across the Commonwealth’s five regions: Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific. The newly elected representatives will lead projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing youth participation in global decision-making, with the election being especially significant as the Commonwealth Youth Council celebrates its 10th anniversary.
The CYC, founded in 2013, serves as the largest and most influential youth-led organization within the 56-member Commonwealth. As the CYC marks a decade of advancing youth development, the upcoming elections provide a crucial opportunity for young leaders to take charge of key policy, advocacy, and partnership roles.
Kim Allen, the current Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council, highlighted the importance of this election, stating, “Every candidate has equal rights in this election, and the process shall be conducted with accountability and fairness. I encourage all candidates and National Youth Delegates to treat each other with respect in the election process.”
The election process officially began with online campaigning starting on September 3, set to conclude on September 14. Voting will take place on September 16-17, and the results will be announced on September 18, 2024.
For more information about the candidates and the election process, please visit the official Commonwealth Youth Council website.