Anomaa among finalists of 2015 Youth Worker Awards

Anomaa Rajakaruna (i.ytimg.com)

Anomaa Rajakaruna, founder of Agenda 14, an organization which supports freedom of speech in post-conflict Sri Lanka is among the distinguished 14 finalists for the 2015 Youth Worker Awards.

Rajakaruna helps young people to engage with peace building and youth empowerment through film documentary, which allows for dialogue on conflict resolution.

Youth workers from eleven countries - Australia, the Bahamas, Fiji, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya, Malta and Nauru, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Uganda - have been named as the National Finalists of the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards.

The Commonwealth announced the final list of 14 outstanding youth work professionals today - a week before the Commonwealth Youth Worker of the Year will be named during international Youth Work Week, from 2-8 November 2015. Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Deodat Maharaj, who will present the award, stated: "The Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards recognize the achievements of youth workers, who often work in difficult circumstances, have very few resources and yet make a big difference to the lives of young people. Every youth worker named today should feel justifiably proud of their efforts, for they are national heroes."

As part of an awards ceremony on 5 November, Commonwealth Youth Workers of the Year for Africa, Asia, Europe, Pacific, and Caribbean and Americas regions will also be announced from among the National Finalists. The theme for Youth Work Week 2015 is Youth Workers Creating Paths to Peace, which acknowledges the exceptional contribution of youth workers in peace building and social cohesion.