The British Council is organising an educational and cultural event titled “Commonwealth Youth Unite”, which is an initiative developed to promote the Commonwealth values among youth. The project was conceptualised by young people itself that are part of different British Council initiatives, projects, and programmes. These young volunteers came together to conceptualise and organise the British Council Commonwealth Youth Unite event.
The event which will be held this Saturday, will be host a range of exciting and vibrant activities. There will be 54 stalls, each representing a country of the Commonwealth. There will also be food, music, famous sports personalities, and a few other surprise acts.
As part of the project, the British Council Sri Lanka office recently released a new song composed and sung by upcoming artist Sam Dayaratne, also titled “Commonwealth Youth Unite”. The song is available on the British Council Sri Lanka Facebook page and on the organisation’s website. To involve youth in the project, the British Council invited young people between the ages of 16 and 29 years to download the song and produce their own music video for the song. The invitation was extended beyond Sri Lanka’s boundaries to youth in all 54 Commonwealth countries through the British Council’s global network of over 100 offices worldwide.
All video entries from youth around the world will be reviewed and the best videos will be selected to be featured in the official music video of the song. This music video will be a mash-up video that includes video clippings from youth from different parts of the globe and will be officially launched at the “Commonwealth Youth Unite” event.
Assistant Manager Programme Delivery of the British Council, Anoop Kapukotuwa, said “The project is aimed at generating and enhancing youth interest in the Commonwealth and in creating an opportunity for youth of different countries and territories to meet, work with and understand the different cultures and people of the commonwealth. It is also an opportunity to actively engage youth in discussing social issues and the commonwealth values while celebrating the commonwealth.”
Commonwealth Youth Unite will be held on Saturday 16 November from 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. at the National Youth Services Council, Maharagama. The event is open to the public and admission is free.
To learn more about the British Council’s Commonwealth Youth Unite project and event, please visit the Facebook group.