The four social media correspondents selected for CHOGM 2026 have expressed delight over the important role they will play when the international summit gets underway on 1st November, 2026.
Janet Simon, Gabrielle Hamlet, Lutrell John and Joshua Edwards have all expressed that their roles will be to aid in imparting knowledge into the youth at home and globally on the workings of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Appearing on state television on Tuesday morning, the correspondents also, they also stressed the importance of youth participation in CHOGM, particularly through the Commonwealth Youth Forum, which runs alongside the leaders’ summit.
According to Janet Simon, young people across the Commonwealth have already been making meaningful contributions in their communities, and CHOGM offers them an important platform to connect, exchange ideas, and discuss shared challenges.
“For me, my role is assisting and facilitating that process so that not just the youth who attend CHOGM can connect with each other, but also those who may not have the opportunity to attend can still stay connected.”
Simon noted that hosting CHOGM is not only a victory for Antigua and Barbuda but also for the wider Caribbean region, especially small island developing states that are often overlooked in international conversations.
“To see that CHOGM is being held in Antigua and Barbuda, it’s not just a win for Antigua, but it’s a win for the Caribbean on a whole,” she said.
She is hopeful that the summit inspires a new mindset among young people.
“I would like our young people to see that they’re not supposed to be sitting in the backseat, but instead view themselves as drivers of change,” she said. “For us to get further, we actually have to work together as a unit.”
Meantime, Lutrell John has highlighted people’s unfamiliarity with CHOGM and the Commonwealth itself, prompting him to focus on public education following the announcement of the correspondents.
“A lot of people don’t know that Antigua and Barbuda is one of the 56 Commonwealth countries,” he said. “I started from there, trying to ensure people have the necessary information to know what CHOGM is and what it’s about.”
He added that the summit presents opportunities for discussions on education, technology, and development that could directly benefit Antigua and Barbuda and future generations.
CHOGM 2026, from 1st-4th November, 2026, is expected to bring world leaders, including King Charles III and heads of government from across the Commonwealth, to Antigua and Barbuda for discussions on global and regional challenges.
John described the gathering as an opportunity for nations to work together on solutions that create better opportunities for young people worldwide.
“It’s about giving everyone a fair chance in the world,” he said.
Similar sentiments were shared by Gabrielle Hamlet and Joshua Edwards.
All of the correspondents, though nervous about the responsibilities that lie ahead, are eager to play their part in bridging the communication divide, while ensuring that youths like themselves are not left out of important discussions.