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COMMONGROUNDCommonGround A practical guide to the Commonwealth is written foranyone who wants to know more about the history and work of theCommonwealth today.Written in a simple and accessible style, with illustrated case studies andinformation panels, CommonGround outlines changes from the former BritishEmpire to the modern Commonwealth of today, including information on:• how the Commonwealth was created• its members• aims and purposes• how it reaches decisions• the actions that it takes, and• the opportunities that it provides …… with full details of where to get further help and informationNOT FOR SALECOMMONGROUNDA practical guide to the Commonwealth

The publisher would like to thank the following for permission to reproducecopyright images in this book: Fotolia.com: Cover, pp 2, 3, 5, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15,17, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30; © Commonwealth Secretariat: pp 2 (fourth and fifthbox image), 8, 11, 16, 17 (main image), 18 (top strip: National SecretariatCHOGM 2009) 18 (top left: Kenroy Ambrose), 19, 24, 25, 26 (RebeccaNduku), 27 (Tom Baird), 30 (CYP), 31, 32 (Victoria Holdsworth); ©Commonwealth Foundation: pp 19 (bottom), 21 (fifth box image); ©Commonwealth Photographic Awards: pp 23 (Trevor Skead); University ofGlasgow Archive Services: pp6; iStock.com: Cover, pp 4, 7, 10, 21; Photodisc:pp12; Wikimedia Commons (Flags): pp 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,26, 28, 30© 2010 Commonwealth FoundationBritish Library Cataloguing in Publication Data:A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.ISBN 978-0-903850-44-5Published by the Commonwealth FoundationText by Tony Thorpe with additional input from Mark CollinsDesigned by Nomad GraphiqueThe Commonwealth Foundation gratefully acknowledges the help of theCitizenship Foundation (www.citizenshipfoundation.org) in the developmentof this publication.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in aretrieval system, or transmitted in any forms or by any means, electronic ormechanical, including photocopying, recording or otherwise without thepermission of the publisher.The citation for this publication is:CommonGround. 2010. Commonwealth Foundation. 32pp.For further information contact:Commonwealth FoundationMarlborough HousePall MallLondon SW1Y 5HYUnited KingdomTel: +44(0) 20 7930 3783Fax: +44(0) 20 7839 8157E-mail: geninfo@commonwealth.intWeb: www.commonwealthfoundation.comCOMMONGROUNDThe Commonwealth is anassociation of 54 independentcountries, who work together topromote democracy, goodgovernment, human rights andeconomic development.This book has been written toexplain how the Commonwealthcame about and to describe itspurpose and function today.CONTENTSOrigins 03Empire roots 04Towards independence 05Creation of theCommonwealth 06Membership 09A different kindof organisation 10Common aims 11Joining the Commonwealth 12Around the world 15Organisation 17How does theCommonwealth work? 18Co-operation 21Just and honestgovernment 22Closing the gap 24Health and education 26Climate change andsustainable development 28Culture and sport 30Opportunities 32

ForewordThe Commonwealth is sometimes seen as a complexbody, due in part, perhaps, to the number of levels onwhich it operates. This timely and helpful bookletcould not be clearer in explaining the history,organisation and work of the modern Commonwealth.Based on a values system that embraces consultation,negotiation and consensus, the Commonwealth todayspans 54 countries and represents over 2 billionindividuals – almost one third of the world’spopulation. It reaches across geographical, politicaland social divides to help individuals and communitiesbuild stronger nations; and stronger nations are betterplaced to meet the increasing number of globalchallenges we face today. I am sure you will findCommonGround both interesting and informative, andessential background reading for a betterunderstanding of the modern Commonwealth.Kamalesh Sharma,Commonwealth Secretary-General‘Strength in diversity’ is a saying that could have beeninvented specifically to describe the Commonwealth.With a membership extending from Australia toZambia, Trinidad and Tobago to Tuvalu, today’sCommonwealth represents an amazing diversity ofcultures, beliefs, and nationalities. The CommonwealthFoundation is instrumental in promoting the rights ofindividuals across this broad spectrum. Working withnot-for-profit groups, charities, professional networks,and other similar organisations, we encourageindividuals to speak out on a range of developmentissues that affect them. CommonGround provides aninvaluable resource not only for those wishing to findout more about the Commonwealth, but for thosewho seek to play a more active role in helping toshape and develop it.Dr. Mark Collins, Director,Commonwealth FoundationOriginsEmpire roots 04Towards independence 05Creation of the Commonwealth 06A practical guide to the Commonwealth ➤ Origins3

OriginsEmpire rootsThe Commonwealth is the world’soldest political association of sovereignstates. Its roots go back to the BritishEmpire, which once covered a quarterof the world’s land area, and includedabout the same proportion of theworld’s population.How did theEmpire develop?Unlike many previous empires, theBritish Empire was not created byconquest, although military support didplay an important part. Instead, it grewhaphazardly, in piecemeal fashion, fromthe sixteenth to the nineteenth century.It was driven by a number of factors,listed below, and involved thesettlement and control of lands inAfrica, India, North America, South EastAsia, and the Caribbean.Trade ● The British government’s rulein India originally developed from theactivities of merchants, trading mainly incotton, silk and tea. Trade also formedthe basis of what became British controlin South East Asian states, includingHong Kong, Malaya and Borneo.Piracy ● The British presence in theCaribbean and southern parts of theUnited States was initially prompted bypiracy and an opportunity to establishgains over rival Spanish and Portugueseempires. In time, this led toestablishment of plantations growingsugar and tobacco and the extensiveinvolvement of Britain in the slave tradewith West and Central Africa.Settlement and exploration ●Settlement was an important drivingforce in the expansion of the Empire.In the 1620s, pilgrims left England toestablish a new social and religiousorder in America; the early colonisationof Australia was partly a result ofBritain’s policy of sentencing largenumbers of convicts to compulsorytransportation; and millions, in thenineteenth century, settled in NorthAmerica, Australia and New Zealand toescape from poverty in Britain.Britons were also prominent, duringthe nineteenth century, in exploring theinterior of Africa – searching for mineralwealth and markets for goods, andseeking to spread Christianity. Althoughthese areas had long-establishedindigenous populations, Britain claimedthe lands as its own.War ● In the late eighteenth and earlynineteenth centuries, Britain’s victory inthe Napoleonic War against Franceadded further countries to the Empire,including Mauritius, Sri Lanka (thenknown as Ceylon), Trinidad and Tobago,St Lucia and Malta.At the end of the First World War, anumber of German colonies in Africaalso became part of the British Empire,as reparations. These included parts orall of the states today known asCameroon and Tanzania.Power and controlThe main motive behind theestablishment and expansion of theEmpire was to increase Britain’s wealthand political power. Often, but not always,this was at the expense of local people,particularly the non-white populations.TowardsindependenceIn the early years of the Empire, theBritish government made little attemptto influence the way in which thecolonies were governed. However, bythe end of the seventeenth century,more direct rule began to be imposedfrom London. This was not welcomedby the American colonies, and a tug ofwar developed between centralgovernment in London and thecolonists’ own elected assemblies. Thisbecame the major cause of the pushfor independence by the settlers inNorth America.Assemblies andadvisory councilsAfter the defeat of British troops andthe loss of its American colony in 1781,Britain no longer tried to direct itscolonies centrally from London. Insteadpower was placed in the hands of thecolonies’ own assemblies or advisorycouncils. Although members of councilswere often nominated by Britain, thecouncils and assemblies neverthelesshad some authority. People of localstanding could not generally be ignoredby those with responsibility forgoverning the colony.IndependenceThe movement towards independencestarted in the colonies of settlement.In 1867, Canada became the first Britishcolony to gain a significant degree ofindependence, followed by Australia,New Zealand and South Africa.4A practical guide to the Commonwealth ➤ Origins5Antigua & BarbudaAustralia The Bahamas Bangladesh

OriginsOf particular significance at this timewas the independence of India andPakistan in 1947, the outcome of whichestablished a pattern for the modernCommonwealth.Until this point, all self-governingCommonwealth states had retainedBritain’s King or Queen as Head ofState. However, India’s constitutionalassembly wanted the country tobecome a republic and to remainwithin the Commonwealth. These twinambitions precluded the Monarch fromremaining as India’s head of state. Atthe Commonwealth Prime Ministers’Meeting in 1949, it was agreed in theLondon Declaration that India mightremain a member of theCommonwealth, and a republic, byaccepting the Monarch “as a symbol ofthe free association of independentmember nations, and as such Head ofthe Commonwealth”.This development allowed othercountries that had become republics(or had a national monarch) to becomeCommonwealth members.The Commonwealth todayThe use of the word ‘British’ in the titleof the Commonwealth has long gone.Today, the Commonwealth is theworld’s oldest political association ofsovereign states, with 54 independentmember states. Thirty three of these arerepublics, five have their ownmonarchs, and 16 have QueenElizabeth II as Head of State.Queen Elizabeth II is Head of theCommonwealth, but has no authorityto interfere in the affairs ofCommonwealth member states. (Seealso page 20).Although the focus of theCommonwealth today is on improvingthe lives of people living in its memberstates, it also addresses issues of widerinternational concern, such as terrorismand climate change.The Commonwealth runs a range ofprogrammes focussing on economicdevelopment, democracy andgovernance, education, health,environment and the strengthening ofcivil society.MembershipHM Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth,speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2009Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting(CHOGM), Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 27November 2009.A different kind of organisation 10Common aims 11Joining the Commonwealth 12Around the world 158Cameroon Canada RepublicDominicaof CyprusA practical guide to the Commonwealth ➤ Membership9

MembershipMarlborough House, gardens andmember country flags.Suspension and expulsionA Commonwealth member state thatfails to uphold the basic principles ofdemocracy, human rights, or the rule oflaw, risks being partly or fully suspended,or even expelled, from the organisation.Decisions on this are taken by theCommonwealth Ministerial ActionGroup (CMAG), made up of theForeign Ministers from nine memberstates, with the authority to recommendthe suspension or expulsion of anystate that infringes any of theCommonwealth’s fundamentalprinciples.Action of this kind is a publicindication to the rest of the world of thefailure of a member state. Suspensionmeans that a country will be preventedfrom taking part in Commonwealthprogrammes and meetings, and will nolonger be eligible for aid and technicalsupport. However, existing programmesmay be allowed to continue in order tolimit the effects of suspension on acountry’s citizens.However, suspended states aredeliberately not isolated. For instance,when Nigeria was suspended from theCommonwealth in 1995, after themilitary government ordered theexecution of nine dissidents, theCommonwealth continued to work torestore just and fair government, withits voluntary and civic organisationskeeping their links. Suspension waslifted in 1999, as the country returnedto democracy.Fiji ➤ In 2009, Fiji faced fullsuspension from the Commonwealthfollowing the failure of the interimmilitary government to meet theCommonwealth’s deadline to restoredemocracy after taking power in abloodless coup in 2006.Although Fiji has lost access to newCommonwealth aid and has beenexcluded from the CommonwealthGames, contact between theCommonwealth and Fiji will continuein an effort to restore democracy.Withdrawal ● Sometimesgovernments choose to withdraw fromthe Commonwealth. This happened in1972, when the Government ofPakistan decided to leave theCommonwealth after other memberstates had agreed to recogniseBangladesh. Pakistan, however, rejoinedthe association in 1989.Following suspension from theCommonwealth in 2002, Zimbabwedecided to end its membership in2003. The communiqué issued byCommonwealth Heads ofGovernment at the end of theirmeeting in 2009 said that theylooked forward to the conditionsbeing created in which Zimbabwecould return to theCommonwealth.Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting(CHOGM) 1995. New Zealand Prime MinisterJames Bolger(left) and and CommonwealthSecretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaokuannounce the suspension of Nigeria inQueenstown, New Zealand.OrganisationHow does the Commonwealth work? 1816MaldivesMalta Mauritius MozambiqueA practical guide to the Commonwealth ➤ Organisation17

Organisationprinciples of Commonwealthmembership, such as respect forhuman rights and the rule of law. Seealso page 11.Upholding Commonwealthvalues ● Today, there is some debateover the way in which theCommonwealth should respond tooppressive or undemocratic actions bymember states.Many believe that the most effectivestrategy is for the Commonwealth towork quietly and discreetly behind thescenes, persuading and helping aparticular member state addressparticular difficulties and challenges.However others argue for a moredirect approach and public stand,particularly where human rights areconcerned.Government to decide who, if anyone,will be her successor.About a third of the Queen’s overseasvisits are to Commonwealth countries,where she often meets communitygroups, as well as Heads of Government.She also has regular contact with theCommonwealth Secretary-General,through whom she keeps up to datewith current developments.Commonwealth Day ➤Commonwealth Day is celebrated everyyear on the second Monday in March.The idea was proposed and discussed byCommonwealth leaders in 1975, and itis marked by a large number of events,including a message from The Queen,designed to promote understandingabout the work of the Commonwealth,and highlight areas of concern.HM Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey atCommonwealth Day Observance, 10 March 2008.The Head of theCommonwealthThe present Head of the Commonwealthis Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Herposition, however, is not inherited, andit is up to the Commonwealth Heads ofHow is theCommonwealth financed?Compared to many other internationalorganisations, the Commonwealth hasa tiny budget. It works on less than oneper cent of the budget of the UKDepartment for InternationalDevelopment.The work of the Commonwealth isfunded principally through annualsubscriptions by member states paid tothe Secretariat and Foundation inLondon. Levels are fixed according toeach nation’s gross national product. Inaddition, voluntary contributions aremade to the Commonwealth Fund forTechnical Co-operation, theCommonwealth Youth Programme(with offices in Guyana, India, SolomonIslands and Zambia), and the VancouverbasedCommonwealth of Learning.Co-operationJust and honest government 22Closing the gap 24Health and education 26Climate change andsustainable development 28Culture and sport 30Opportunities 3220A practical guide to the Commonwealth ➤ Co-operation21PakistanPapuaNew GuineaRwandaSt Kittsand Nevis

Co-operationJust and honestgovernmentA democratic promiseThe Singapore and HarareDeclarations in 1971 and 1991 (seepage 11) commit the Commonwealthto promoting and supportingdemocracy in all member states.Democracy is the best guarantee forthe maintenance of the rule of law,human rights, and good governance. Itdoesn’t guarantee the absence ofserious conflict within or betweenstates, but it does reduce the likelihoodof it occurring. Good governance is alsoan effective remedy against poverty.What is democracy? ➤ Democracyrefers to a system of governmentwhere decisions are taken either bypeople directly, or throughrepresentatives whom they haveelected.Government based on representativedemocracy has a number of furthercharacteristics; it …• is based on regular and freeelections• shows a willingness to reflect andrespond to public opinion• allows individuals, civil societyorganisations, and the media tocriticise governmentpolicy, and it• protects the rights ofindividuals andminority groups.Over the past 60 years, theCommonwealth has acted on manyoccasions to reduce conflict and tosupport or help restore democracy inmember states. Central to theCommonwealth’s work is theestablishment of dialogue betweengovernments, political parties, and civilsociety groups. The Commonwealthalso offers member states training andguidance on managing elections,helping citizens understand more aboutthe election process, and monitoringthe conduct of elections, including therole of the media.Conflict resolution ➤ In 2002, thePresident of Guyana asked for theCommonwealth’s support in dealingwith hostility between the country’stwo main political parties, which washampering effective democraticgovernment. For the next four years,the Commonwealth’s special envoy, SirPaul Reeves, worked in Guyana, withgroups right across the politicalspectrum, encouraging dialogue andtransparency in government.After a while, Parliament began towork noticeably better, the Oppositionreturned, and a new party emergedjust before the 2006 election. A mediamonitoring unit was set up, and themajor media outlets agreed not toreport statements inciting racialhatred.The elections were the most peacefulin 40 years, but distrust and insecurityremain of concern. The Commonwealthcontinues to monitor events in Guyanaand provide advice and support.Encouraging civil society ● TheCommonwealth believes that civilsociety organisations are of particularimportance in promoting democracyand protecting human rights. There canbe a tendency, particularly in times ofheightened international security, forgovernments to limit the scope fordebate and dissent. TheCommonwealth encourages people’sparticipation in government, activelypromoting this through the work of theCommonwealth Foundation (seepage 19)Human rightsThe protection of human rights is afundamental principle ofCommonwealth membership, and theCommonwealth works in a number ofways to develop and uphold humanrights standards in member states.Best practice ● A wide network ofCommonwealth professional and civilsociety organisations provide adviceand training on human rights. Thiscan take many forms,including helping memberstates to establish their ownhuman rights commission;training groups like thepolice, civil servants andjudges, on ways of upholdinghuman rights; andencouraging memberstates to adoptpractices reflecting thehighest human rightsstandards.Too low ➤ New Zealand is one ofmany countries working to achieve theCommonwealth target of havingwomen occupying at least 30 per centof the seats on local councils. Inresponse to this, the New ZealandHuman Rights Commission ran a seriesof regional workshops and eventsdesigned to increase the nationalrepresentation of women.Dealing with abuse ● Although agreat deal of work is done by theCommonwealth helping member statesdeal with human rights issues, theCommonwealth nevertheless facescriticism for failing to be more vigilant indealing with member states who fallseriously below accepted internationalstandards. At the recent CHOGMmeeting in Trinidad and Tobago,representatives from a number ofmember states and civil societyorganisations urged theCommonwealth to take a more proactiverole in dealing with this.Commonwealth Photographic Awards 2004: RunnerUp - Africa. This photograph was taken in a smallrural village in southern Botswana.22A practical guide to the Commonwealth ➤ Co-operation23St LuciaSt Vincent andthe GrenadinesSamoaSeychelles

Co-operationCommonwealth Youth Credit Initiative(CYCI) launch in Gujarat India.Closing the gapAnother wayAmongst its members, the Commonwealthhas some of the richest andpoorest nations in the world. It has someof the fastest-growing economies, butalso some of the world’s smallest states.This diversity equips the Commonwealthwith considerable expertise, but itsbudget for the alleviation of poverty isvery small, particularly compared toother specialist organisations.The Commonwealth, therefore, is nota big player in providing cash for aid oreconomic development. Instead, as inother aspects of its work, it tends tooperate behind the scenes, advising andguiding member nations, and helpingthem obtain the support they need,often directly from other member nations.An engineer with hard-hat andsurvey equipment in Dominica.Programmes and initiativesThe Commonwealth, through its manyaffiliated organisations, runs a largenumber of development programmesand initiatives for both the public andprivate sectors, helping member statesimprove their efficiency in finance,manufacturing, and farming, andadvising on ways of diversifying exportsand attracting new investment.Fast track ➤ At the request of theKenyan authorities, the CommonwealthSecretariat undertook a study of theorganisation of the customs facilities atNairobi airport and at the docks inMombasa. Recommendations from thiswork led to the time taken for goods topass through customs falling from anaverage of eight to two days.Support for agricultural research andtraining programmes is an importantpart of the Commonwealth’s work,using its professional links andnetworks to disseminate informationand good practice to help farmers moreeffectively manage the effects ofclimate change.The size and extent of the Commonwealthalso enables it to createpartnerships with other major internationalorganisations and to have a directimpact on world opinion. One of thebest examples of this is the pioneeringwork of the Commonwealth on debtrelief for the world’s poorest nations.It was at a meeting of CommonwealthFinance Ministers in Barbados in 1987,that debt relief was first discussed.Commonwealth Foreign Ministers andcivil society groups continued to lobbyfor the idea during the 1990s and,because of their initiative, more than$110m of debt has been removed fromsome of the poorest states, releasingfunds for health, education and otherimprovements.New businesses ● Commonwealthsupport is particularly directed at thedevelopment of small and medium sizebusinesses and helping to improveprospects for younger people.Small states ● Thirty twoCommonwealth countries are classifiedas small states. These are technicallydefined as having a population of 1.5million people or less. With limitedresources, small states face particularchallenges. However, as members ofthe Commonwealth, they have anequal voice with larger member states,and a major international organisationas a platform for representation.Starting off ➤ The CommonwealthYouth Credit Initiative helps youngpeople start businesses by offeringthem small loans and business training.The scheme has helped thousands ofbusinesses get off the ground. Onebusiness owner, a young woman fromAhmadabad, in Gujarat, in India, said:"I didn't know I could ever dosomething useful. My family is veryproud of me. I have money over everyweek, after making the repayments.I put some of it back into mylaundrette and most of the rest goes tosupport my children".Help and guidance ➤ Under presentinternational law, coastal states controlthe undersea resources up to 200 milesfrom their shore. However, the UnitedNations’, has recently given countriesthe opportunity to apply to extend thislimit to give themselves rights over amuch wider area, if they can show thatthe national natural landmass extendsbeyond this limit.Making a case of this kind requiresdetailed scientific surveys and analysis,which small nations may find difficultto organise. To date, theCommonwealth has helped 15countries lodge claims for additionalareas of the seabed, giving greateraccess to mineral deposits and othermarine resources, and providing anopportunity for greater long termeconomic development.24A practical guide to the Commonwealth ➤ Co-operation25Sierra Leone Singapore Solomon IslandsSouth Africa

Co-operationHealth andeducationThe need for goodhealth carePeople in Commonwealth developingcountries often suffer as a result of poorhealth care. With relatively littleinvestment in public hospitals andmedical staff, patients either fail to seekhelp, or are required to travel longdistances for treatment. The problemcan be heightened by the loss oftrained medical staff overseas. One wayin which the Commonwealth hasworked to address this has beenthrough the development of a code ofpractice for the international recruitmentof health workers, which aims to protectthe most vulnerable states from theunmanaged exodus of skilled staff.The challenge of HIV and AIDS ●More than 65 million people havebecome infected with HIV since thepandemic began more than 20 yearsago; and more than 25 million of thesehave died. Today, about 60 per cent ofthe world’s HIV cases are amongstCommonwealth citizens, and dealingwith this is a major challenge.Through advice and training obtainedfrom Commonwealth programmes,government officials in a number ofCommonwealth countries have beenable to negotiate better access toantiretroviral drugs, which slow downthe progress of the disease. Today,almost 30 per cent of Commonwealthcitizens requiring antiretroviral therapyare receiving it, compared with just twoper cent in 2003.Children receiving dietary supplements froma mobile clinic in Garissa district, Kenya.Positive living ➤ The CommonwealthYoung Ambassadors for Positive LivingProgramme enables young peopleliving with HIV to share theirexperiences with others, and creategreater awareness. There are nownational and regional Programmes inAfrica, Asia and the Caribbean,particularly targeting young people inthe 15-29 age group.With support from the Secretariatand Foundation, the CommonwealthHIV and AIDS Action Group is workingto reduce the stigma anddiscrimination often associated withpeople living with HIV and AIDS.Crisis in non-communicablediseases ● Heart disease, diabetesand other non-communicable diseasescause half of all deaths worldwide,often tipping vulnerable familiesbelow the poverty line. In 2009Commonwealth Heads of Governmentcalled for a worldwide strategicapproach to monitor the diseases andaddress their causes and repercussions.The importanceof educationEducation is one of the most effectivelong-term ways of raising a nation’sstandard of living. It is a central priorityfor the Commonwealth, which works inmany ways to enhance the lives ofyoung people, in school, at work, and inhigher education, see page 11.Millennium Development Goals ●In September 2000, under the auspicesof the UN, leaders of the world’snations committed their countries to along-term programme of help for thepoorest people in the world. Theirdeclaration took the form of eightMillennium Development Goals, to beachieved by a target date of 2015.One of the Goals is the provision ofuniversal primary education; another isgender equality. With an estimated 30million of its children not attendingprimary school, and a disproportionatenumber of these being girls, theCommonwealth is an active partner inworking to achieve these aims.Closing the gap ➤ Nearly 30Commonwealth education networkscome together under the banner ofthe Commonwealth Consortium forEducation. The Consortium drawstogether voices from across theCommonwealth to makerecommendations to the three-yearlymeetings of the CommonwealthEducation Ministers.Meeting the demand ● Bringingmore children into school requiresgreater funding, more teachingresources, and the creation of anincreased number of qualified staff.The Commonwealth works with a largenumber of groups helping memberstates to address these issues.The Commonwealth of Learning ➤Based in Vancouver, and created by theCommonwealth Heads of Government,the Commonwealth of Learningspecialises in open and distance learningthrough information and communicationstechnology. Its school-focussed projectsinclude teacher development, teachereducation resources, and the electronicnetworking of schools and teachertraining colleges.Gender equality ● Equal access toeducation for boys and girls, and theequal treatment within schools, areimportant ways of improving the livesof both individuals and entirecommunities. The Commonwealthworks in partnership with a wide rangeof organisations to help achieve thisMillennium Development Goal.Pupils atBudo Juniorschool in thedistrict ofWakiso.A key initiative is the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan which, forfifty years, has enabled students to undertake courses overseas. Many go on tomake significant contributions towards their areas of specialism.26Sri LankaSwaziland Tonga Trinidadand TobagoA practical guide to the Commonwealth ➤ Co-operation27

Co-operationClimate changeand sustainabledevelopmentClimate changeDealing with climate change is one ofthe greatest challenges facing the worldtoday. All countries are affected; butsome are especially vulnerable –particularly small and low-income states.In 1987, the Commonwealth was thefirst major inter-governmentalorganisation to commission a scientificstudy on the effects of variations in theworld’s climate. Published two yearslater, the Holdgate Report warned:“Changes in climate will change thefrequency of extreme climatic eventssuch as severe tropical storms, floods,droughts or extremes of heat”, andcalled for a major international initiativeto establish global responsibilities forpreventing unmanageable rises in theworld’s temperature.The same year, at their meeting inMalaysia, Commonwealth Heads ofGovernment issued the LangkawiDeclaration, in which they undertook totake immediate action to promotesustainable development. They alsocalled for a wider international agreementunder the auspices of the UnitedNations. This came three years later atthe Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit.Small states ● The wording of theLangkawi Declaration also drewattention to the distinct environmentalproblems faced by some developingcountries arising from poverty andpopulation pressures, and by someisland and low-lying areas, threatenedby rising sea levels.Today, the Commonwealth takes aleading role in representing small stateson the international stage, and providesthem with training and guidance toincrease their effectiveness in climatechange negotiations.Under threat ➤ The Maldives comprise 1,190 islands and atolls in the IndianOcean, with a land area of about 115 sq miles (300 sq km). The highest point of theislands reaches no more than eight feet (just over two metres) above sea level, whichmeans that, as sea levels rise, the very existence of Maldives becomes in jeopardy. Ifnothing is done to combat this, it is believed between 50 and 80 per cent of theislands will disappear in 50 years time.ForestryAs well as providing a habitat formillions of species, the world’s forestsare of both economic and ecologicalvalue. Forests provide many valuableproducts, but also exert a significantinfluence on climate patterns.An international centre ➤ At the1989 Commonwealth Heads ofGovernment meeting, Guyana’sPresident announced the setting asideof one million acres (370,000hectares) of rain forest for purposes ofresearch as a wilderness preserve andfor sustainable use. Today theIwokrama International Centreprovides practical guidance on the bestways of managing and maintainingforests of this kind, along withimportant data on the ways in whichforests regulate climate.Iwokrama now works under a broadalliance that includes the EuropeanCommission, the United Nations, and awide range of specialist agencies.FisheriesThe decline of fish stocks is a problemconcerning many countries throughoutthe world, and is of particularimportance to the 47 member stateswith coastlines.The impact of over-fishing is greateston those least responsible for theproblem – members of poorer, morevulnerable, communities, who fishprimarily to survive. As well asmarginalising these groups, the loss offish stocks means that people may turnto hunting – something generally muchless desirable than coastal fishing.Commitment to action ➤ Between2007 and 2009, three Commonwealthorganisations, headed by theCommonwealth Foundation, ran aseries of programmes designed to raiseawareness about the problem of illegalfishing and the need for greatermeasures to help sustain existing stocks.These concerns were put toCommonwealth Heads of Governmentat their meeting in Trinidad and Tobago,with leaders agreeing to undertakeurgent action to strengthen marinemanagement, particularly in the watersof more vulnerable member states.MiningMining and energy production are important industries for any country, but not allgovernments have the knowledge of how to develop these sectors in the long termnational interest. However, Commonwealth states such as Australia, Botswana, andSouth Africa have considerable experience in this kind of resource managementand, with help from the Commonwealth, are able to share this expertise with othermember nations.Since the discovery of significant oil stocks in Belize in 2005, the Commonwealthhas been helping the Government develop a petroleum tax and royalty structuredesigned to benefit the management and investment of the new oil revenues.28Tuvalu Uganda United Kingdom United Republicof TanzaniaA practical guide to the Commonwealth ➤ Co-operation29

Co-operationCulture and sportThe promotion of culture and sport arenot obvious ways in which to addresssome of the world’s most pressingissues. But the Commonwealthbelieves that cultural expression,creativity, and competition can be astrong force for human developmentand social justice.The cultural connectionCulture – in the sense of arts andcultural expression – may be harnessedto benefit communities in many ways.Creative industries can make asignificant contribution to both localand national economies. With relativelylow start-up costs, they may also offeran effective means of introducinggreater economic diversity.A legal framework ➤ TheCommonwealth supports the PacificIslands Forum in its work to developlaws and guidelines designed to helpproducers of traditional arts and craftsprotect their intellectual property fromunwanted commercial exploitation.Culture may also be used as aninstrument of social or political change.The visual and performing arts can beparticularly effective (especially in hardto-reachcommunities) in conveyingmessages about legal and politicalrights, or health and environmentalconcerns.Promoting and valuing culture is alsocentral to developing respect andunderstanding between people withdifferent identities. A failure to takeculture seriously may result in missedopportunities, the marginalisation ofgroups or communities, and thedestruction of habitats and livelihoods.Taking culture seriouslyThe promotion of culture is central tothe work of the CommonwealthFoundation, see page 19. It runs anumber of prizes and programmeshelping Commonwealth artists, writers,musicians and filmmakers to make aliving from their work. Amongst thebest-known of these is theCommonwealth Writers’ Prize,established in 1987 to take the best ofCommonwealth writing in English to awider audience.Culture also plays an important part inthe Foundation’s other work ongovernance, democracy and humandevelopment, through the use of music,drama, and street theatre to convey keyideas about political rights or healthconcerns, to both mass and hard-toreachaudiences.Musicians performing at a CommonwealthDay celebration in the CommonwealthYouth Programme (CYP) Africa RegionalCentre in Lusaka, Zambia.Medal Winners at the 2002Commonwealth Games in Manchester, UK.SportThe Commonwealth Games arearguably one of the most widely-knownCommonwealth activities. The idea wasfirst raised in 1891 by the Rev AstlyCooper, who suggested the competition“as a means of increasing the goodwilland good understanding of the Empire.”The first Games, however, were notheld until 1930, after a proposal byCanadian, Bobby Robinson. Knowninitially as the British Empire Games,the first competition took place in theCanadian city of Hamilton, with$30,000 being provided by the city tohelp cover the travel costs of theparticipating nations.Since then, the Games have beenheld every four years, except in 1942and 1946 as a result of the SecondWorld War, and today they are knownsimply as the Commonwealth Games.For many years, the programmeconsisted of only single sportscompetitions, such as athletics, boxingand swimming. The 1998 Games inKuala Lumpur were the first to includeteam sports.A further development took place in2000, with the introduction of theCommonwealth Youth Games, open toathletes aged 18 and under. The firstcompetition was held in Edinburgh andthe next, in 2011, will be on the Isle ofMan.In 2002, Manchester hosted the Gamesand, for the first time, at any multi-sportworld event, a number of events wereheld for athletes with a disability.New Delhi won the right to hold theGames in 2010 and Glasgow in 2014.In the first Commonwealth Games,400 competitors took part in 59 eventsin six sports. Today there are 17 sports;and the Games village in Delhi has thecapacity to welcome 8,500 competitorsand officials.The ties of sport ● Although theCommonwealth Games is the sportingevent that unites all Commonwealthcountries, other sports, such as cricket,football, rugby, hockey, and badminton,are also played widely throughout theCommonwealth, serving to bringpeople and nations together.International Test cricket is playedprimarily between Commonwealthmember states.30A practical guide to the Commonwealth ➤ Co-operation31Vanuatu Zambia The Commonwealth Flag

Co-operationOpportunitiesAlthough the Commonwealth is rightlyperceived as a major internationalorganisation, its structure is built arounda wide array of civil society groups,which play a vital part in informing andshaping Commonwealth policy.However, the Commonwealth alsoencourages involvement fromindividuals through consultation,competitions and exchanges. A numberof these opportunities are listed below.The CommonwealthPeople’s ForumFor more than ten years, theCommonwealth Foundation hasprovided an opportunity, at eachCHOGM venue, for individuals as wellas civil society groups, to meet anddiscuss issues of current concern. Aparallel event for 15-29 year-olds is alsoheld alongside the main Forum. Detailsof the most recent meetings in Trinidadand Tobago are available from theFoundation’s website,www.commonwealthfoundation.com.Youth programmesA great deal of the Commonwealth’swork relates to the present and futureneeds of younger people. The RoyalCommonwealth Society organises anumber of activities specifically foryoung people, and some of these arelisted below. More details can found onthe Society’s website, www.thercs.orgDelegates at the sixthCommonwealth YouthForum, Entebbe, Uganda,November 2007.32Youth Summits ● An opportunity foryoung people to come together anddebate important issues of the day.Youth leadership ● Nkabom,meaning ‘coming together’, is a ten-dayprogramme open to about thirty 18-26year-olds, from all parts of theCommonwealth. Held every two years,in a different Commonwealth location,the Programme aims to help youngpeople engage more effectively withtheir own and the internationalcommunity, and to give them skills andconfidence to act as effective agents ofchange.Competitions and awards ● Eachyear the Royal Commonwealth Societyholds competitions and awards foressay writing, photography and filmmaking.They are open to anyone underthe age of 30, with prizes that includecash, equipment and further guidance.Exchange Schemes ● TheCommonwealth Youth ExchangeCouncil can provide support, guidanceand funding for youth exchangesbetween the UK and otherCommonwealth countries. Details ofplanning and organising this areavailable from the Council’s website,www.cyec.org.uk.ContactsListed below are some of the many organisations associated with the Commonwealth.ABCDEFGHJLAssociation of Commonwealth Archivistsand Records Managers www.acarm.orgCommonwealth Association of Architectswww.comarchitect.orgRoyal Agricultural Society of theCommonwealth www.commagshow.orgCommonwealth Broadcasting Associationwww.cba.org.uk/index.phpCommonwealth Business Councilwww.cbcglobal.orgCommonwealth Countries Leaguewww.ccl-int.orgRoyal Commonwealth Societywww.thercs.orgThe Commonwealth Associationwww.comassoc.orgCommonwealth Dental Associationwww.cdauk.comCommonwealth Consortium for Educationwww.commonwealtheducation.orgCommonwealth Council for EducationalAdministration and Managementwww.cceam.orgCommonwealth Education Trustwww.cet1886.orgCommonwealth Engineers Councilwww.ice.org.ukCouncil for Education in theCommonwealth www.cecomm.org.uk/homeCommonwealth Forestry Associationwww.cfa-international.orgCommonwealth Foundationwww.commonwealthfoundation.comFriends of the Commonwealthwww.commonwealthfriends.orgCommonwealth Games Federationwww.thecgf.comCommonwealth Geographical Bureauwww.commonwealthgeography.orgCommonwealth Association for Health andDisabilities supramaniam@lineone.netCommonwealth HIV and AIDs Action Group(Para55) www.para55.orgCommonwealth Human Ecology Councilwww.chec-hq.orgCommonwealth Human Rights Initiativewww.humanrightsinitiative.orgCommonwealth Journalists Associationwww.commonwealthjournalists.comCommonwealth Judicial Education Institutewww.cjei.orgAssociation for Commonwealth Literatureand Language Studies www.aclals.ulg.ac.be/Commonwealth Association of Law ReformAgencies www.calras.orgCommonwealth Lawyers Associationwww.commonwealthlawyers.comCommonwealth of Learning www.col.orgCommonwealth Legal EducationNPTUYAssociation www.cleaonline.orgCommonwealth Local Government Forumwww.clgf.org.ukM Commonwealth Association of Museumswww.maltwood.uvic.ca/camCommonwealth Magistrates and JudgesAssociation www.cmja.orgCommonwealth Medical Associationwww.commonwealthmedics.orgConference of CommonwealthMeteorologists www.commonwealthmet.orgCommonwealth Nurses Federationwww.commonwealthnurses.orgCommonwealth Association for PublicAdministration and Managementwww.capam.orgCommonwealth Association of PaediatricGastroenterology and Nutritionwww.capgan.orgCommonwealth Association of Plannerswww.commonwealth-planners.orgCommonwealth Parliamentary Associationwww.cpahq.orgCommonwealth Pharmacists Associationwww.commonwealthpharmacy.orgR Royal Overseas League www.rosl.org.ukS Commonwealth Secretariatwww.thecommonwealth.orgCommonwealth Association of Science,Technology and Mathematics Educatorswww.castme.orgCommonwealth Organisation for SocialWork www.sasw.org.sg/coswCommonwealth Association of Surveyingand Land Economy www.casle.orgCommonwealth Scholarships Commissionwww.cscuk.org.ukInstitute of Commonwealth Studieswww.commonwealth.sas.ac.ukRoyal Commonwealth Ex-Services Leaguewww.commonwealthveterans.org.ukCommonwealth Association of TaxAdministrators www.catatax.orgCommonwealth TelecommunicationsOrganisation www.cto.intCommonwealth Trade Union Groupwww.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-17116-f0.cfmLeague for the Exchange of CommonwealthTeachers www.lect.org.uk/home.aspxAssociation of Commonwealth Universitieswww.acu.ac.ukW Commonwealth War Graves Commissionwww.cwgc.orgCommonwealth Women's Networkwww.commonwealthwomen.netCommonwealth Youth Exchange Councilwww.cyec.org.uk