CommonGround - Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the ...

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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
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