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Commonwealth Youth Council
The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) is a representative body that serves as the official voice for young people within the Commonwealth of Nations. It aims to promote and advocate for the interests and aspirations of young people across the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth. The CYC acts as a platform for young people to engage in policy dialogue, participate in decision-making processes, and contribute to the development and implementation of youth-focused initiatives.

History
The CYC was first established in 2013 with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Commonwealth Youth Program. It was endorsed by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their biennial summit in Sri Lanka as an autonomous, youth-led organization. The need for a more structured and formalized representation of young people within the Commonwealth became evident as the voice of the youth needed to be heard in shaping policies and programs that directly impact their lives. It was created as a response to the need for a more structured and formalized representation of young people within the Commonwealth. In 2015, during their meeting in Malta, the Commonwealth Heads of Government officially recognized the CYC and acknowledged its role as the official representative body for young people within the Commonwealth. This recognition further strengthened the CYC's mandate and provided a platform for it to engage with governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders.

Structure and Governance
The Commonwealth Youth Council operates under the guidance of an Executive Committee, which consists of young leaders elected from each of the Commonwealth regions. The Executive Committee is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the CYC and coordinating its activities. The Chairperson of the Executive Committee is the official spokesperson for the CYC and represents the organization at various international forums and events.

Objectives
CYC aims to further advance the youth development agenda by integrating young people into the development work of the Commonwealth at national, regional, and Pan-Commonwealth levels. It also provides a sustainable platform for unified engagement with decision-makers and youth-led development initiatives.

The CYC works to mobilize the voices of young people and advocate for governments to engage young people meaningfully. It partners with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other youth-led organizations focusing on youth development.