A social enterprise talent agency that cultivates social agents. Turning traditional education on its head. Andre currently sits on the trustee board.

As part of the celebrations, the winners of the Commonwealth Video Contest will be in attendance to receive their prizes. One of the winners, a young band from the Pacific kingdom of Tonga, will perform their winning entry live.

Dr Fatiha Serour, Director and Head of the Secretariat’s Youth Affairs Division, said: “The commemoration of International Youth Day this year is very significant for us. Not only will it signal the start of a range of youth focussed initiatives in all of our regional centres led by our youth leaders, but it begins a process of youth consultation aimed at improving meaningful youth participation and inclusion in the Commonwealth.

“This year, as the world commemorates youth, the Commonwealth Youth Programme will focus on strengthening the youth advocacy and youth leadership programmes that will shape the future of the Commonwealth.”

This theme of this year’s International Year of Youth is ‘Dialogue and Mutual Understanding’. Organisations attending Marlborough House between 11am-3pm include International Award, Changemakers, the London 2012 Youth Panel, and the UK Youth Climate Coalition.

In addition to music, poetry and dance acts, speakers include:

Andre Campbell, award winning entrepreneur, consultant and TV presenter
Scott Forbes, a British Council Global Changemaker and Founder of Global Forum 40
Steven Cheung, London 2012 Olympic Ambassador and Young Advisor to the Ministry of Justice.
Maherunesa Khandaker, DFID Young Reporter and founder of charity Arohon helping to combat poverty in Bangladesh.
The event will be followed by a youth consultation on 19 August at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

For RSVP, all enquiries and interview requests, please contact Will Henley, Communications & Public Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat w.henley@commonwealth.int or on +44 (0) 207 747 6560

More information:

UN proclaims International Year of Youth: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33303

Commonwealth Video Contest: http://tiny.cc/qlv7p

International Year of Youth: http://social.un.org/youthyear/index.shtml

Yparticate: http://yparticipate.org/

For more information and to tune into the final show Click Here

This year we are partnering with the Shine Festival. 2morro will be the first major event during Shine Week.

To find out more about our plans for 2010 and to get involved subscribe to our blog, follow us on Twitter or become a Facebook Fan.

Grants

Unltd – www.unltd.org.uk Foundation for social entrepreneurs.

Live Unltd – www.liveunltd.com Live UnLtd will provide other young people with exciting opportunities to create their own opportunities and develop their community for the better. Young people (11-25) can start up their own businesses, sports teams, recreational groups and host events after being given funding of up to £2,000 per individual, coupled with a model of non-financial support from a designated development manager in their region.

Big Challenge – www.bigchallenge.org.uk It’s your turn to Imagine, Inspire and Involve now! If you can think of a project idea that inspires other young people then submit your idea to Big Challenge before 6th July to be in with a chance of winning part of the £65 000 prize fund to make it happen. Check out this You Tube movie for more info click here.

V Cashpoint- www.vinspired.com/rewards/vcashpoint vcashpoint is giving away £2,500 to 16-25 year olds in England with ideas for London 2012 inspired projects in their communities. If you’ve got an idea for a London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games inspired volunteering project to improve your community, you could apply for a grant of up to £2,500 to bring your idea to life.

Princes Trust – www.princes-trust.org.uk The Princes Trust give practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills such as confidence and motivation. Working with 14 to 30-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. They provide Development Awards which are grants to help you get into education, training or employment. Community Cash Awards which are grants to help you set up a project that will benefit your community.

Youth Opportunities Fund/ Youth Capital Fund The Funds were announced in Youth Matters and were launched as a two-year scheme in April 2006 with a combined budget of £115m. In July 2007 Aiming High for Young People: A ten year strategy for positive activities announced the continuation of the Funds until at least 2011. A total of £220 million has been secured for the Funds over 2008-11, which includes additional resources on top of existing baselines in the 50 most deprived local authority areas. The Funds are delivered by local authorities. If you are interested in making an application or want to find out about the Funds in your area you should contact the relevant local authority. Further information and help on how to find your local authority contact is available on the Directgov Website.