Youth video competition offers winners a trip to London for International Youth Day 2010

An online video contest to showcase the talents of young people and performers around the globe is offering the winners a “potentially life-changing experience,” the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Head of Youth Affairs has said.

The Commonwealth Video Contest, which closes on 1 June 2010, is a Youtube-based competition launched to celebrate cultural diversity and individual talent across the 54-member Commonwealth. Prizes include a trip to Marlborough House, Headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, for International Youth Day on 12 August 2010.

Dr Fatiha Serour, Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, said: “You might have something to say on human rights or perhaps you’re agitated about climate change. Maybe you want to tell the rest of the world about your home community or culture or let people know about your favourite pastime.

“You might have an incredible voice or maybe you’re a dancer or in a band and want some international recognition. This competition is open to all young people in Commonwealth countries who want to take part.

“You don’t need to be a professional film-maker. Often the best videos are the simplest to make. Go down to your local library or community centre and see if you can borrow a basic camera or phone, have a play with it, and then find an internet cafe and upload your videos to our website.”

The most original, inspiring or entertaining video will earn the Best Commonwealth Video title and a Netbook computer or iPod. The singer, musician, dancer or band responsible for the best musical video will be crowned Best Commonwealth Band/Artist and receive £200 worth of Amazon vouchers. The winners of each category will be taken to London for International Youth Day.

The contest’s website – yourcommonwealth.org – is designed to provide a permanent audio-visual guide to life and issues around the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said: “Science, technology and society is the Commonwealth’s theme for 2010. So it makes sense that we harness the internet, one of the most revolutionary of recent technologies, for a competition to celebrate the diversity of the modern Commonwealth.”

For more information, please visit: www.yourcommonwealth.org

Will Henley, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7747 6560 [email protected]

Omnea Said, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7747 6462 [email protected]

www.thecommonwealth.org

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