Nkabom means ‘coming together’ in the Ghanaian language of Twi and is the name for the RCS’s unique Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme. Building on the success of projects in Kuala Lumpur , Ghana and the United Kingdom , Nkabom 2008 will bring together 29 young people from all over the Commonwealth to explore issues surrounding Democracy and Governance. Cyprus , the 2008 Nkabom host country, is the ideal place to explore this year’s topic: Conflict + Beyond.

Delegates will work with local civil society organisations, international agencies, youth and government bodies, across the Green Line, to understand and explore the divisions in Cypriot society; the role of peacekeeping and conflict resolution; and how a lasting settlement may be attained – especially following the recent presidential elections. They will explore respect and reconciliation through the perspective of young people in both communities and bring their own experiences to bear from their home countries.

Activities in the week-long programme are likely to include:

• A tour of the Green Line including a meeting with UN peacekeepers
• Workshops and activities with key NGOs working on peace-building in Cyprus
• Discussions and cultural activities with Turkish and Greek Cypriot young people
• Talks by world experts on youth and conflict
• Opportunities for participants to share and discuss their own experiences of conflict and conflict resolution
• Media projects with local radio stations and newspapers
• And much more...!

After the Nkabom programme, delegates will participate fully in the Royal Commonwealth Society International Meeting also being held in Cyprus , between 21 and 24 September. Delegates will be expected to present their thoughts at this meeting, and may stay then on for cultural visits around Cyprus until the 27 September.

The Nkabom Project encourages and engages young Commonwealth people, the future leaders of the Commonwealth, to become involved in developmental, community and peace-building projects. Delegates will engage in peer learning and cross-cultural exchange. Throughout the project, participants are encouraged to analyse and reflect on the linkages between the local issues they are involved in, and wider issues in the Commonwealth, internationally and at home.

Young delegates themselves will play a key role in the planning and facilitation of the programme. A core group of young people (the Steering Committee) will meet in London to help plan Nkabom and will take a lead role in the facilitation of the programme. A group of Cypriot young people will also be instrumental in the delivery of the programme and arranging logistics for their peers. Other delegates will be consulted by email and ‘phone in the lead up to the September 2008 programme and all delegates will be expected to share and take forward what they learn through Nkabom after the programme comes to an end.