International
Finalists for Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards announced
By Commonwealth Secretariat
Oct 17, 2014 - 6:27:10 PM

“Their work with, and on behalf of, young people is truly outstanding and deserves to be lauded” – Katherine Ellis, Director, Youth Division

17 October 2014 - The Commonwealth is pleased to announce the finalists for the Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards 2014, which recognise the contribution of youth workers and their enduring positive impact on young people and local communities.

Twelve youth workers from countries as diverse as Ghana, India, Jamaica and Malaysia have been selected as regional finalists. Winners will be announced on 5 November, during Commonwealth Youth Work Week, at a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament in London.

The Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards acknowledge and celebrate the efforts of outstanding youth workers from across the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 53 countries.

Katherine Ellis, Director of Youth at the Commonwealth Secretariat, said: “Youth workers inspire, empower and support young people, playing a vital role in their individual development, and also in national development. With these awards, we are giving the youth work profession the credit and recognition it rightly deserves.”

“It is especially heartening that we have received so many strong entries this year. These finalists represent the beating heart of youth work. Their submissions are truly cutting edge and deserve to be lauded. We are looking forward to announcing the winners in a few weeks’ time.”

The judging panel for the awards included representatives of the Commonwealth Secretariat, youth professionals and young people. One winner will be selected from each region, and one of the regional winners will be declared Commonwealth Youth Worker of the Year 2014.

Youth Work Week takes place from 3 to 9 November 2014. This pan-Commonwealth celebration of youth work was established by the Commonwealth in partnership with the UK’s National Youth Agency. This year, the theme is ‘Youth empowerment through soft skills’. Find out more at http://thecommonwealth.org/youthworkweek.

The finalists for the Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards 2014 are (in alphabetical country order):

Africa:

·  Ghana - Peter Akai Anum, National Director, Head of State Awards

·  Kenya - Abdikadir Aden Hassan, Chief Executive, Youth for Environmental Sustainability Network

·  South Africa - Bernice Hlagala, Social Worker and Senior Policy Analyst, The Presidency / University of Venda

· Uganda - Dan Boston, Founder and Managing Director, R.A.IS.E

Asia:

·   India - Pravin Nikam, Founder, ROSHNI Youth Organization

·  India - Aprajita Pandey, Haiyya: Organize for Action

·  Malaysia - Raj Ridvan Singh, Co-Founder/Social Entrepreneur, SOLS 24/7

·   Sri Lanka - Witharanage Sachinda Dulanjana, Founder, H3 Foundation (Hearts & Hands of Humanity)

Caribbean:

·  Jamaica - Takisha Sten-Barnes, Head of Agency, National Centre for Youth Development, Ministry of Youth and Culture

·  Montserrat - Loni Howe, Youth Officer, Ministry of Education & Youth Affairs

·  Trinidad & Tobago - Steven Edwards, Founder, Executive Chairman and Creative Director, Transformation Through Theatre and Technology

· Trinidad & Tobago - Derrick Sharbodie, Founder and Manager for St James Police Youth Club


The Commonwealth Secretariat’s youth development work is delivered through the Commonwealth Youth Programme, which has been running for over 40 years.

We promote the youth work profession through facilitating youth work education and training, sharing and celebrating good practice, and advocating for national and international youth worker associations.

If you wish to contact the finalists, please email Will Henley, Communications Officer.

Find out more about our work: thecommonwealth.org/our-work/youth

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