Drumheller’s Madison Colberg is once again sharing her talents on an international stage, attending the Commonwealth Youth Forum next week in Malta.
The Youth Commonwealth Forum is hosted by the Government of Malta in partnership with the Commonwealth Youth Council and the Commonwealth Secretariat. According to its website, it "brings together youth leaders from across the Commonwealth to exchange ideas and share experiences, build skills and networks, identify the most vital challenges and opportunities facing young people today, and make recommendations to decision makers at the highest level."
The Forum also helps sets the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, coming just a week later.
“They choose 400 people, ages 18 to 30 from all of the Commonwealth nations. We attend a week-long forum with the theme ‘Adding Global Value,’” she explains.
While Colberg has been in the spotlight for her participation in the Miss Universe Canada, along with a trip to Nicaragua with Operation Smile, it was her work in school, which helped secure this opportunity.
“I have been involved with the Duke of Edinburgh with my awards, and I just came across the Youth Forum on the Internet and social media,” she said.
It was a long process of application and accreditation before she was accepted. Colberg sees it as a great opportunity. There are only two youth from Canada attending.
“I’m excited, It is a really good opportunity to learn about other nations, interact with other cultures and promote Canada,” she said.
They will be discussing all kinds of topics and issues from volunteerism to the environment, she finds them all interesting.
“It is very different, and I have never done anything like it, but it does sound interesting,” she said.
Colberg is currently studying business, majoring in marketing, with a minor in entrepreneurship and is interested in corporate law, as well as going into business.
“International work has always intrigued me, and I think each thing I have been doing, even though they are different, are going to come together and is helping me grow differently."
The Commonwealth Youth Forum is November 21-25.
