Foreword Dr Joseph Muscat Prime Minister of Malta and Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth The Earth’s population has been increasing drastically in these last decades, especially in certain parts of the world where development still lags behind, owing to advancements in research and health across the globe. In the Commonwealth Family of Nations more than 60 per cent of citizens are now young people. Youth by definition is that period in a person’s life when childhood is left behind and the formative years between the age of 15 and 29 stretch ahead. Young people see what is around them in a fresh light and itch to improve what is their inheritance – they are bubbly and full of inspiring ideas, and they have a strong voice and the ability to make a huge difference worldwide. It is therefore important that young people are empowered and given the opportunity to reach their full potential. Such a goal can only be achieved through investing in their skills, harnessing their energy, encouraging their ambitions, and providing opportunities to further their education and participation in their local – and by default often the global – economy. Youth development can be achieved even in lowincome countries by providing quality education and training and allowing young people to participate in the nation’s political, economic and social life. Health and well-being are also factors that weigh heavily in youth development, and world leaders need to focus more on promoting mental and sexual health, as well as education and nutrition. Besides encouraging a healthy lifestyle, sport and physical activities also promote teamwork, responsibility and intercultural learning – all providing sound bases for young people’s roles in the future. The ongoing global economic slowdown hinders young people from entering the labour market. This barrier must be reduced as youth unemployment simply exacerbates this economic slowdown. Goal 8 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, formally adopted by world leaders in September 2015, provides a new opportunity to marshal global partnerships to support action in underlining the need to reduce substantially the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training by 2020. During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Malta in November 2015, the young people of the Commonwealth recommitted themselves to the values and principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter and the Commonwealth Youth Council Constitution – it is up to us to help them achieve this goal!