We would like to present to you a manifesto written in collaboration with young representatives from the CAA (Commonwealth Association of Architects) and CAP (Commonwealth Association of Planners).

The manifesto seeks to respond to the question:

‘How can young people in Commonwealth Nations help in making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable?’ (SDG11)

As young Planners and Architects, we feel strongly about sustainable development and believe that we have a strong role in helping alleviate the problems of urbanisation globally. We have produced a manifesto that is centred around the topic of urbanism. The manifesto has been produced through the engagement of young architects, planners and others from Australia, The Caribbean, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa and the UK with an interest in the urban environment, in order to be as widely informed as possible. Our initiative and the resulting manifesto closely align with the Youth Forum’s thematic priority item of Sustainable Future, further to this however we also seek to deal with cross cutting issues in relation to attaining a Fairer and Prosperous Future for all - working in partnership towards a common future.

At CAP we are truly proud that we have been able to collaborate with our colleagues at CAA. The Commonwealth depends on its one billion young people and the summit's priorities will have a strong youth focus. Importantly, 60 % of people in the Commonwealth are below the age of 30. The Commonwealth Youth Forum, which takes place at the Summit, ”provides an opportunity for the young people of the Commonwealth to build cross-cultural connections and networks, debate the challenges facing its young people, and agree youth-lead initiatives to influence decision makers and ensure young people have a voice in its future.”

Our Manifesto aims to ensure the views of young planners and architects are solidified in the Commonwealth they will create. It aims to show to heads of government the importance of sharing practice across professions and between professionals and having a vision for how young people can influence their society and profession, whilst ensuring a holistic approach to developing sustainability. Its purpose is to galvanise the Commonwealth community, demonstrating young planners and architects have an important and inspirational voice to be heard, whilst ensuring the strongest principles are applied to town planning and architecture.

• Manifesto

• Powering Our Common Future: Urbanism in the Commonwealth: Youth Manifesto & Compendium

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INVITATION TO LAUNCH EVENT  | We are launching the manifesto on 17 April 2018 in London, all are welcome - click here for full details