We asked participants at the event to come share their views on this issues at our makeshift ‘diary room’. Here’s the seventh.

Click here if you can’t see the video below.

By Elizabeth Kameo

The Commonwealth People’s Forum 2007 drew attention to the significance of water, energy and sustainable livelihoods. This topic was specifically discussed in a two day workshop at the forum titled Trade Models for Sustainable Livelihoods. But what is the significance of this to people in Commonwealth States. I talked to Dr. Moses Musaazi, from the Department of Technology Makerere University about the significance of energy, water and sustainable livelihoods.

Click to download a transcript in Word or PDF.

By Naomi Kabarungi

Until today, I always left such complex issues as Climate Change to ‘activists’. To me, they would be the guys that have a PHD in environment or global warming or whatever else climate is about.

The Converging World, represented by Shalin Jethi, delegate at the Commonwealth People’s Forum, conducted an interactive workshop ‘Your Climate-My Future’ at the Green Space in the People’s Space this afternoon. It was amazing to see people of all trades and professions gathered in what they called ‘clusters’ discussing what they each can do to tackle climate issues.

While such topics as climate have been left to what we call experts, it is a challenge for the experts to break it down for the rest of us, so that we can easier understand it. This is what The Converging World, with the help of the New Economics Foundation has done by making a fun-game called Climate Talks to tackle climate questions.

Click here for a low bandwidth audio file of Shalin talking about the workshop or press play below:

Alice Namuli, a young advocate based in Kampala said what gives her the energy to tackle climate change:

“The desire to live a better life; and the need to preserve a safe environment on planet earth for the future generation. I plan on doing this by influencing people’s attitudes towards climate change.”

Click here for a low bandwidth file of Alice, or press play below:

Gertrude Ssekabira, a head teacher in a Kampala school also believes that the desire for a better life is the driving force.

“Why for instance should I pay for water when I can harvest it for free when it rains, while at the same time solving the problem of soil erosion?”

Click here for a low bandwidth file of Gertrude, or press play below:

Shalin challenged them thus: “If someone told you that in 10years time global warming will have gotten too bad you won’t be able to do anything about it, wouldn’t you start to act right away?”

Everybody nodded in the affirmative. They laid out plans of what they intend to do, and what they feel others should do to tackle the issues surrounding climate change.

So what can I/ we/ they do? Post your comments on climate change.

By Elizabeth Kameo

One of the focuses of the Commonwealth People’s Forum, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda this year is health. And the HIV and AIDS pandemic came to the forefront. During the workshop that focused on Education as a tool for HIV prevention, on Monday, Dr Alex Coutinho stressed the significance of prevention in the fight against HIV and AIDS. And today when I spoke to Dr Joe Muwonge, Associate Director International Policy and Advocacy for World Vision, he noted that parents should live if children are to stop suffering the brunt of HIV and AIDS. How can parents live? Prevention should be at the forefront in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Many people still think that HIV and AIDS is something that only affects adults but they could never be more wrong. At the end of 2006, there were 2.3 million children living with HIV and AIDS around the world. In the same year, over half a million children became newly infected. Of the 2.9 million people who died of AIDS during 2006, 1 in 10 was a child. Every hour, 40 children die as a result of AIDS.

I talked to Dr Muwonge about the effects of HIV and AIDS on children. Are these issues given paramount focus in the Commonwealth states or does more need to be done?

Click to download a low bandwidth file here, or press play below:

By Joel Besekezi

Ugandans living in Kampala woke up to amazement this morning when they got into the city. Traffic was being directed by wardens clad entirely in white. Their shirts, trousers, caps, gloves, even shoes were all white. One motorist was overheard explaining this was in readiness for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

A pedestrian I spoke to told me: it’s one way Uganda is getting ready to welcome the ‘whites’ a term commonly used to refer to Europeans. Reactions, however were mixed: some people thought the wardens did not look very smart, others were not impressed by the colour contrast since they felt the wardens looked too dark for the attire.

Besides the ‘white’ wardens, the city looked gridlocked since the traffic jam was unbearable. This could have been as a result of the closure of some roads for security purposes, no doubt because HM Queen Elizabeth II jets into Uganda this evening.

However, much as the long-awaited arrival of the Queen is anticipated, many people around Kampala are still not aware of what CHOGM is. A shop owner on Kampala road told me that CHOGM is the Queen’s third name, another thought it is the Queen’s husband. Some others know about CHOGM, but claimed they are not interested because poverty is still eating away at them. Most Ugandans, though, are optimistic that CHOGM is going to do the people good in the long run. A Taxi driver told me that he does not mind the event even though he won’t gain individually - but at least he will not drive through potholes any more.

By Joel Besekezi

Young People in the Commonwealth member countries still feel their say is not given enough attention. They claim to encounter a number of predicaments which are not looked into by those in aithority, who happen naturally to be the older ones. However, they were grateful to the Commonwealth Youth Forum which gave them an avenue to air their grievances and be part of decision making in their various countries. These were the views of some of the young people that came to the people’s space at Hotel Africana.

Among the students present were those from the Aga Khan Foundation Education Services, in particular, the Aga Khan High School. Under one of the most vibrant units of the school, the Creativity Action and Service (CAS), the students were able to showcase their services to the community. Among other projects, they have helped set up a school in Mukono, Uganda. The students also exhibited how they aid the community in policy making, and how to embrace local culture and traditions.

Anisha, one of the students, said they are able to do all this courtesy of their good up-bringing by the school. Andrew, the students’ leader, noted that they have been able to have mpact in 5 districts due to the good quality of education they access. Kamal, another student said that but for the Youth Forum, they would not have had any avenues through which to express them selves. Christopher Onyango, the program coordinator expressed gratitude to the organizers of the Commonwealth People’s Space for bearing young people in mind and giving them this opportunity to publicise their views.

You can hear a short interview with Christopher.

Click to download a low bandwidth file, or press play below:

We asked participants at the event to come share their views on this issues at our makeshift ‘diary room’. Here’s the sixth.

Click here if you can’t see the video below.

By Emmanuel Gyezaho

This week, British Council organised an outdoor event aimed at showcasing musicians from across the Commonwealth.

Below are a few pictures from the event:

Musicians on stage:

Delegates having fun together:

Ugandan local DJ J Kazoora smiles for the camera with a couple of friends:

Two ladies enjoying the time of their lives:

By Ethan Musolini, Interaction Workshop participant, Commonwealth People’s Forum, Kampala, Uganda (Guest blogger)

With the Commonwealth People’s Forum’s theme being “Realizing People’s Potential”, it is critical to take a personal reality check in terms of how you as an individual can realize your own potential.

The key is to focus on how you yourself can unleash your potential. You can’t wait for someone else to wave a magic wand in front of you and expect - bingo – success to appear.

If each of us can realize our own potential, then, the whole Commonwealth - and the whole world matter will experience an explosion of immense success.

So here are my 7 great ways to achieve that:

• Vision

Always have a clear vision – a big crystal clear picture of the kind of life you want to experience. Where do you see yourself 5, 10 or 20 years from now? A personal vision will keep you motivated and inspired.

• Set Goals

Set goals in all the different areas of your life like health, relationships, spirituality, material and financial, career, mental and personal development. Do something progressive about them every day and you will be astonished how much you can accomplish by the time the next CHOGM comes around.

• Excellence and integrity

Whatever you are engaged in, do it with excellence. Excellence attracts opportunity. Keep promises to yourself and others. Excellence and integrity will transform into greater performance which will unleash more of your potential. Remember potential is what hasn’t been realized yet. Do more that you’ve never done before.

• Positive Self Talk

Keep telling yourself: ‘I can do it’.’I love myself’ ‘I like myself’ ‘I love my work’ ‘I am the best’. That will keep you motivated to stretch further towards your hidden potential.

• Hang around the right people

Hang around people who can inspire you. They will keep you going towards your dreams. Toxic and negative people will suck the life out of your dreams. Positive people will turbo charge your desire to become more successful.

• Constant self improvement

Read inspirational books. Listen to audio tapes for more success.

• Persistence

Never give up until your dreams are realized. Make it happen until your dreams are realized to celebrate your unlimited potential.

Good luck

Ethan Musolini is a CEO of Success Africa, motivational speaker, consultant, facilitator and author of 2 books – Get Motivated in 30 Seconds or Less and Public Speaking Secrets Exposed. He is a Ugandan based in Kampala

By the Editor

Whilst walking around the People’s Space yesterday, I saw these guys dancing and decided to capture a short section of it.

Click here if you can’t see the video below: