Carrying CYGEN’s Mission Forward from Cyprus

On March 6th, 2025, I had the incredible honour of being a finalist in the Social Action category at the Study UK Alumni Awards 2025 in Cyprus. This prestigious event celebrated UK alumni who are making a difference in their fields, from business and science to culture and social impact. As the first Cypriot Correspondent for Your Commonwealth, my passion lies in youth empowerment and participation, social justice, and gender equality. Being recognised at this level reaffirms my belief in the power of collective action and education in driving meaningful change.

The evening was filled with inspiring stories of resilience, creativity, and impact. It was a humbling experience to stand alongside fellow changemakers who are each driving positive transformation in their own unique ways. A huge congratulations to Şadiye Işısal, who won in the Social Action category—your work is truly commendable, and I have no doubt that your efforts will continue to inspire many. Although I did not take the award, being a finalist in such a prestigious event is already a significant milestone. It serves as a reminder that the work we do, no matter how challenging, is seen, valued, and, most importantly, impactful. This recognition has only strengthened my commitment to advocating for social change and gender equality, as well as fostering meaningful initiatives that create tangible benefits for communities.

This experience has also reinforced my dedication to my work and collaboration with CYGEN, where I am currently the only member from Cyprus. Moving forward, I plan to utilise this recognition to expand CYGEN’s reach in my country by encouraging greater participation from Cypriot youth. By raising awareness about CYGEN’s mission and opportunities, I hope to inspire more young leaders to get involved and contribute to our collective efforts in driving positive change.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Your Commonwealth, CYGEN, CYPAN and all those who have supported me on this journey. The work we do together is making a difference, and I look forward to continuing this mission, pushing for progress, and inspiring others to take action.

This is just the beginning—let’s keep striving for change!

Katerina Panagi is a passionate Youth Advocate, Peace Champion with the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network, and active member of key Commonwealth networks including CYGEN and YourCommonwealth. She is also a member of the Cyprus Youth Diplomacy Organisation. With a background in project management and research, she has led and contributed to impactful initiatives, including the Commonwealth-funded Harmony by the Shore project. As a freelance writer and contributor to platforms like World History Encyclopedia and YourCommonwealth.org, Katerina amplifies youth voices globally. In 2025, she was honoured as a finalist in the Social Action Award category of the Study UK Alumni Awards for her dedication to youth empowerment and social change.  

The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.