International Youth Day 2019

This International Youth Day, we are turning our attention to the 240 Queen's Young Leaders from across the Commonwealth, who are making changes in their communities and using their skills to transform lives. 

The Queen is Head of the Commonwealth, an international organisation of 53 countries spanning every geographical region, religion and culture, and 60% of the Commonwealth's population of 2 billion people are under the age of 30.

Many of the Queen's Young Leaders have focused their efforts on transforming education within their communitie​s - making education more inclusive and accessible for all!

2016 Queen's Young Leader Diedra founded a scholarship programme for high school students in Belize.

Her Majesty ​presented Diedra with her Queen's Young Leader Award at Buckingham Palace in 2016.  

Calvin, also a 2016 Queen's Young Leader, delivers education and career development workshops in Malaysia, supporting young people to plan for the future. 

In 2017 Nonduduzo (Kingdom of eSwatini) received an Award for work to help girls living in rural communities to continue their education. 

Theresa (Papau New Guinea) founded UniMums to support and mentor young mothers studying at University.

2018 winners Deane and Aditiya (India) work together to inform and empower young girls & women about menstrual hygiene and maternal health.

Inspired by the work of the Queen's Young Leaders Programme, the Queen's Commonwealth Trust is working to help young change makers realise their hopes & dreams for the future.

The Queen's Young Leaders Programme was launched by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, in partnership with Comic Relief, The Royal Commonwealth Society and The University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education, at Buckingham Palace in 2014. 

The Diamond Jubilee Trust is a charitable foundation with a mission to leave a lasting legacy, owned by the whole Commonwealth, in honour of Her Majesty The Queen. 

Visit the Queen's Young Leaders website & the Queen's Commonwealth Trust to find out more.