Youth Participation

With over 50 per cent of its citizens under the age of 25, the Commonwealth must actively involve young people in its programmes. Since the 1990s, the CPA has widened its focus to include the promotion of the Commonwealth and parliamentary democracy to young people.  These include marking Commonwealth Day and holding Youth Parliaments. They provide young people with a forum to express their ideas, concerns and expectations with regard to democracy, and to do it in a Commonwealth context with young people from other member countries.

The CPA marks Commonwealth Day with youth activities in London and a bursary fund for Branches for activities of their own in other Commonwealth capitals.

The CPA holds periodic Commonwealth Youth Parliaments and encourages Parliaments and Legislatures to support local Youth Parliaments to enable young people to experience making laws debating issues, conducting committee work and even changing governments, all within the rules of parliamentary conduct.

The Association has also provided a CPA Youth Parliament Planning Kit to each member Parliament and Legislature to encourage and guide them in organizing their own events.