Bangladesh has been a member of the Commonwealth since 1972. Bangladeshi youths have been involved with different Commonwealth networks and initiatives throughout this period. So, what does it take to represent Bangladesh at this international platform? As a teenager, I also had the same question in my mind.

The first time I came to know about the Commonwealth was through the essay competition in which my school was participating. However, I did not know the engagement opportunities and never imagined that, someday, I can also represent my country at the Commonwealth. Hailing from a very ordinary background, to sharing the same table with British Royals and all the heads of states of 54 countries, my journey with the Commonwealth has been life-changing.

My Commonwealth journey had a difficult beginning since I didn't know much about the possible engagement opportunities. As a social activist and youth policy advocate, I was looking for an opportunity to share a space at the policy making table and I knew the Commonwealth would be my platform to create meaningful social change. However, I couldn't find many Bangladeshi youth leaders to show me the way. I kept trying my luck by applying to all the Commonwealth-related opportunities with open application. With the passage of time, through persistent effort I have got the opportunities to participate in many Commonwealth youth programmes and got affiliated with different networks.  

To give a brief idea about the Commonwealth youth networks, there are nine major youth networks that any youth from any Commonwealth nation can join. These are:

Commonwealth Youth Council, Commonwealth Students Association, Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Working Group, Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network, Commonwealth Alliance for Youth Entrepreneurs, Commonwealth Correspondents, Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network, Commonwealth Youth Health Network, Commonwealth Youth Human Rights and Democracy Network. Each of these networks has its own niche and specialized agenda to work with. However, there are some other youth platforms within the Commonwealth system to join such as The Royal Commonwealth Society, Commonwealth Common Ties and Diaspora Network. To sum up, the youth engagement mechanism is as specific as possible to engage the right minded and resourced young people as per their area of expertise. Also, alongside every Commonwealth Head of Government's Meeting (CHOGM) the youth secretariat organizes Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) which is the biggest assembly of all of these networks and beyond. The CYF is the ideal engagement and networking opportunity for anyone taking interest in joining the networks later.

As the first Bangladeshi woman to run the Commonwealth Youth Council executives' election, when I look back at my five-year-long engagement with different Commonwealth Youth Programmes, I find the experience immensely rewarding and completely reshaping me as a better person. I started working with the CYC Asia Regional sub-committee and am still working on establishing the National Youth Council in Bangladesh. At CHOGM 2018 in London, UK, I had the opportunity to meet and listen live to world leaders like Bill Gates, and I had a special invitation from the Foreign Secretary – and present Prime Minister – Mr. Boris Johnson to join a discussion over dinner at the House of Lords. As a British law graduate and avid political thinker, walking in the Houses of Parliament and meeting the law Lords was enthralling.

In 2019 I was invited to join the Commonwealth Youth Roundtable with the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry. It was humbling to raise the most pressing issues on the discussion table, having Prince Harry listen and make commitments upon our discussion. I was also interviewed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK government and was given a special tour. As I walked down through the office I stopped for a moment and looked over the "Durbar Court".

From the 1860s till today, this place is considered to be one of the most historic establishments where most important policies have been crafted. For a second I closed my eyes and it felt like I was walking through the Reception of the Turkish Sultan which happened here at India Office Council Chamber when every item on the tables was made of gold. I felt living through the coronation of King Edward VII. It felt like I could visualise every negotiation happening there on Indian Subcontinent. And when I opened my eyes, the proudest feeling I felt was being a Bangladeshi standing there representing my red and green. I felt eternally grateful for having this identity. Freedom, independence, liberation never felt so rewarding! These are the privileges, honor and opportunities that I could never imagine to attain without getting involved into the Commonwealth Youth networks.

My Commonwealth journey started as just another participant at one of the programs and I eventually made my way up. While working along with the Countering Violent Extremism unit of the Commonwealth Secretariat, I served as a peer facilitator at the Faith in the Commonwealth Training of Trainers while participating the first of its kind in Asia region. I joined the official Bangladesh government delegation at the Commonwealth Youth Senior Officials Meeting in Brunei and presented the youth outcome document.

The most important part of attending all of these programs was the networking and learning opportunity. I started as a nobody in the Commonwealth youth sector and now have created my identity as the official national youth delegate of Bangladesh to the Commonwealth. I have a vast network of youth leaders from all the 54 Commonwealth countries who are going to be the changemakers and real policy makers in the next few decades to come. Today, I see the Commonwealth journey shaping me as a better version of myself who is more knowledgeable, responsible, committed, respected and confident. I can quantify the change I have made and the impact I have created on many young people through my work and that will always be my greatest reward to cherish.

Lastly to sum up, I would say, no matter where you come from, your dreams are valid. So keep working hard towards your dreams because if I can make it, you can too. Always look out for opportunities and never hesitate to apply, never hesitate to seek help. Because what you can gain through this experience is more enriching than you can imagine. The Commonwealth youth engagement has changed many lives including mine. The network is immensely valuable and such involvement adds more credential to your academics. I have personally known people pursuing full scholarship opportunities for higher studies abroad, establishing and expanding business just because of their Commonwealth youth network engagements. As a fellow youth leader, I can assure you that your every minute with the Commonwealth is absolutely worth it.

The author is a youth policy advocate and official Bangladesh National Youth Delegate to Commonwealth (2021-2023). The writer can be reached at [email protected]