The electoral board of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), the official representative voice of the more than 1.5 billion young people across the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth, released the results of the 2024 executive elections – in which 48 candidates competed in a keenly contested race for 10 seats.
Four Indians were among those elected last week to serve a two-year term from 2024 to 2026 to lead inclusive consultations, projects, and events to voice young people's concerns and shape youth development policies:
Gurdit Singh Vohra – Vice Chairperson, Partnerships and Resources
He was contesting on a platform to leverage his resource management skills. He has led partnerships with over 10,000 hospitals and co-founded the Harprabh Foundation, impacting underprivileged students and representing India at international forums.
Falit Sijariya – Vice Chairperson, Policy and Advocacy
He is a global youth leader dedicated to ensuring that young voices are heard on global platforms. He has led the G20 Youth Summit 2023 and represented Asia at various international forums, aiming to serve the youth community better.
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Muskaan Anand – Regional Representative, Asia
She is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and social justice. As National Convener of Students For Seva, she has inspired thousands of youth to address critical issues like menstrual hygiene management, education, and environmental sustainability.
Farhana Jan – Representative, Special Interest Groups
As a Kashmiri, she is dedicated to promoting peace and stability in the region. She advocates for marginalised communities and has been awarded as a young achiever for her work in youth empowerment, de-radicalisation, and social services.
The CYC was first established in 2013 with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Commonwealth Youth Programme. At the CHOGM in Sri Lanka, the Commonwealth Heads of Government endorsed the CYC as an autonomous, youth-led organisation.
Layne Robinson, Commonwealth Secretariat’s Head of Social Policy Development, said: “The voices of young people are essential in shaping the future, and this election is a critical opportunity for them to choose leaders who will advocate for their needs and aspirations across the Commonwealth.”
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According to the London-headquartered Commonwealth Secretariat, this year’s elections take on special significance as the Commonwealth Youth Council celebrates 10 years of advancing the youth development agenda and steps up youth participation at all levels of decision-making.
The 10 winners of the CYC will be officially installed at a special ceremony during the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2024 at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa in October.
*Info: Commonwealth Youth Council
