Lawyer selected for C’wealth Youth Awards

 A CHIMBU man is among the four finalists in the Pacific region selected for the 2016 Commonwealth Youth Awards for excellence in development work.

Bal Kama, 28, from Gumine district in Chimbu, graduated with a PhD from the Australian National University College of Law and was admitted to the Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court as a lawyer.

The other three are Kimberley Abbott from Australia, David Kakiakia from Kiribati and Faranisese Ratu from Fiji. 

Katherine Ellis, director of youth at the Commonwealth Secretariat in the United Kingdom, said more than 300 nominations were received from Commonwealth countries this year from which 17 finalists were selected.

“The finalists are inspiring young people who deserved to be celebrated,” she said. 

“The incredible work they do and the impact they make underscores the important role young people play in driving development and democracy.”  

Ellis said the awards annually recognised people under the age of 30 from Commonwealth countries engaging in life-changing projects in their communities. 

“Successful nominees are screened and selected by the youth division of the Commonwealth Secretariat,” she said.

“The judging panel for the award include representatives of high commissions, Commonwealth organisations and young leaders.” 

The regional winners will be announced during the Commonwealth week. The winner will be revealed at Westminster Abbey in London on March 14.

Ellis said Kama was selected based on his work as the founder and director of Kama Scholars Foundation established in 2013.

It has provided 56 scholarships, supported schools in remote communities with library books, computers and water tanks.

It engaged overseas medical students in rural medical programmes in remote communities.