‘Never take your eye off the youth’

As she wraps up her final term as the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland celebrates her close relationship with youth leaders across the international association.

Closing her last Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) in Apia on Tuesday, she reflected on the impact young leaders have had during her tenure.

Reflecting on her time in office, Scotland expressed a mix of pride and emotion, acknowledging how far young people in the Commonwealth have come under her leadership.

“I’m really happy that we’ve been able to do so much in the last nine years,” she told PMN News.

“I hope we’ve created a fantastic platform so that the Commonwealth youth will go higher and higher.”

Scotland was moved to tears yesterday during a farewell video dedicated to her by the CYF. Photo/Ala Vailala

Scotland, born in Dominica and raised in the United Kingdom, became the first woman to be appointed Commonwealth Secretary-General in 2016.

A distinguished barrister, she previously served as Attorney-General of England and Wales, the first woman to hold that position and the youngest female to be appointed Queen’s Counsel.

Her tenure has been marked by a consistent focus on youth empowerment, particularly through the CYF, where young people have had opportunities to engage directly with senior policymakers.

The CYF is a key platform in the Commonwealth, providing young leaders with the opportunity to discuss key global challenges and shape policy.

Scotland closed her fnal CYF as Secretary General. Photo/Ala Vailala

Scotland declared 2023 as the “Year of Youth” which underscored her commitment to focusing on the contributions and potential of young people across the Commonwealth's 56 member states.

As Scotland passes the baton to her successor, she leaves a message of hope and encouragement.

“Never take your eye off the youth. They are our future. And just love them because they’ll pay back.

“I’m incredibly proud of them. Each and every young person in the Commonwealth. I’ve always felt they belong to me.

“I think now our young people can taste, feel, sense that they are in the lead and it’s wonderful to have watched them grow over the last nine years.”

Watch Scotland end the CYF with a siva

The CYF was part of the women, youth, and people’s forums at the weeklong Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting or CHOGM, which will be opened on Friday by King Charles III.

Sāmoa is the first Pacific Island nation to host the CHOGM, with more than 3000 delegates, including leaders, attending the biennial event.

The CHOGM ends on Saturday.