At the people-to-people level, Commonwealth member countries send their young people to participate in interesting workshops that cover issues on youth development, youth work, environment, socio-politics, racial harmony etc.

At the official level, the NYC represents Singapore at Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Meetings which touch on youth policies and strategies, and other CYP workshops. Other member countries of the Commonwealth Youth Programme include:

COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PROGRAMME 
REGIONAL YOUTH CAUCUS AND REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS

The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Regional Youth Caucus (RYC) and Regional Advisory Board (RAB) Meetings of the Asia Region were jointly organised by CYP Asia Centre and National Youth Council Singapore at Royal Plaza on Scotts hotel from 5 to 9 September 2005.

The RAB and RYC meeting is held once in every three years, with participation by youths and senior officials from the eight Commonwealth Asia countries, Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Maldives, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore and Sri Lanka. The Commonwealth Secretariat was represented by Mr. Andrew Simmons, Deputy Director, Youth Affairs.

The aims of the meetings include discussion of objectives set out by the previous RAB meeting and ensuring that these objectives have been met by CYP’s programme delivery. The RYC and RAB also deliberated on the work plan and programmes of the CYP Regional Centre for the next three years. Regional youth issues and concerns were identified as well for discussions to take place at the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CYMM) in Bahamas next year.

Youths in Asia Celebrate Commonwealth Day

Youths from seven other Commonwealth member countries in Asia, namely Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka joined Singapore to commemorate the Commonwealth Day Celebrations.

Comprising a four-day youth exchange programme held from 13 to 16 March 2006, the Commonwealth Day Celebrations was co-organised by the National Youth Council, Singapore (NYC) and Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre. The theme for the celebrations, “Health and Vitality – The Commonwealth Challenge” was specially chosen by the Head of Commonwealth, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

In tandem with the theme, the 34 youths visited the Health Promotion Board and Singapore Sports School to better understand Singapore’s promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Programme highlights also included a cultural performance and exhibition by the participants during the official dinner on 15 March. Students from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) represented Singapore in this cultural show – A Celebration in Diversity. Donning traditional costumes, they showcased contemporary local music of the four ethnic groups to depict Singapore’s multi-racial composition. Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Deputy Chairman of NYC, officiated the dinner.