Tavarrie Smith, aged 27, the Bahamas

I’m fortunate to wake up each morning and be surrounded by beautiful waters, golden sunshine and a sub-tropical setting, no need for coffee or an alarm clock to embark my day. Just the freedom to live in a safe, free, democratic and progressive nation propels me to commence my daily course.

My mornings always begin with taking advantage of technology as I check my morning emails; simultaneously checking the morning headline news helps me set my daily goals. After a time of spiritual devotion, I’m out the door to try and impact my community again.

At heart I’m an activist, devoted to human rights and youth development. A law school graduate, I oversee the Bahamas Youth Advocacy Network, which serves to train young people to take responsibility for their own affairs and I volunteer on the Bahamas National Youth Policy Consultative Team, both projects which require daily updates. I work part-time for a local law firm which allows me to dedicate the rest of my time to youth projects.

As a citizen of a small-island nation like the Bahamas, the Commonwealth represents unity, strength and international influence in my opinion. So often we hear about international organizations or strong industrialized nations whose presence in the world often overshadow the voice of nations like mine. As an active member of the Commonwealth, headed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it brings a sense of comfort knowing that we have a friend in seated at the table of high-ranking world leaders.

The very idea of being in conjunction with an organization where other countries, near and far, share a common set of ideals and ideologies like democratic governments, sustainable development, protection of human rights, world peace and my favorite youth development just to name a few, only makes our responsibility as 'being our brother’s keeper' all the more reposed.

Read about The Queen's role in the Bahamas
Read about the Bahamas on the Commonwealth Secretariat website