Queen’s Young Leaders speak at the CHOGM Formal Opening Ceremony

19th April 2018

Queen’s Young Leaders, Devika Malik and PJ Cole, shared their Commonwealth stories at the Formal Opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting earlier today, alongside Her Majesty The Queen, and Prime Minister Theresa May. The forum offers opportunities for Commonwealth dialogue and brings together representatives from the worlds of business, civil society and government.

Devika, a 24 year-old multi-medal winner para-athlete from New Delhi, was chosen for the Queen’s Young Leader award in recognition of her efforts to build a more inclusive society for people with physical, emotional and social challenges in India through her foundation, Wheeling Happiness. Similarly, PJ Cole was commended for his outstanding community work and in the fight against Ebola in Sierra Leone. He is the executive director of Lifeline Nehemiah Project, the organisation his father founded to support former child soldiers.

The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme was established by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, in partnership with Comic Relief, The Royal Commonwealth Society and the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education, in honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.