What is the Commonwealth?
It is a unique association of 54 developed and developing nations, which once formed the British Empire, now joined together as equals working in the common interests of their peoples to promote democracy, sustainable development, human rights and the rule of law. Every four years, a member country hosts the Commonwealth Games. In 2002, the UK hosted the 17th Games in Manchester, the largest multi-sport event ever staged here.
With their common heritage in language, culture, law and education, , member countries are able to engage and work together in a "family" atmosphere where all decisions are taken through consensus
Unlike the United Nations, the Commonwealth has no charter. Instead, members subscribe to a number of declarations which enshrine common standards and principles.These have been strengthened since the first Declaration of Commonwealth Principles in Singapore in 1971.
In 1995, under the Millbrook Programme, it set up a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group comprising Foreign Ministers of eight members to deal with severe and persistent violations of the 1991 Harare Commonwealth Declaration.
How does it function?
At government level, the leaders of the Commonwealth meet every two years at a Heads of Government Meeting in what is arguably the only international forum where such a diverse group of countries come together to adopt common positions through consensus. There are also regular finance, health, law, education, environment, women’s affairs and youth Ministerial meetings.
In addition there are a range of non-governmental organisations under the Commonwealth umbrella working in numerous fields from education and the arts to development and trade.
Who runs it?
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Head of the Commonwealth and is recognised as the ’symbol of their free association’ by its members. Its operations are run through a secretariat based in the former royal palace of Marlborough House in London. It is led by a Secretary-General who is elected by heads of government for a maximum of two four-year terms. The Secretary-General is supported by two deputies. Together, they oversee 11 divisions, each headed by a Director, and three specialised units.
It has three sister inter-governmental organisations: the Commonwealth Foundation, also based at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, based in London and the Commonwealth of Learning, which is in Vancouver, Canada.
What do they do?
The Foundation supports the work of civil society and the non-governmental sector as well as promoting professional co-operation within the Commonwealth.It funds schemes aiding co-operation in priority areas such as rural development, health, non-formal education, community enterprises, gender and development, and arts and culture.
The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation is a partnership between Commonwealth governments and telecommunications businesses to promote ICT It runs extensive training programmes to further social and economic development in member countries.
The Commonwealth of Learning encourages the development and sharing of open learning and distance learning materials, expertise, technologies and other resources. Hundreds of institutions throughout the Commonwealth use its services.
Much of the strength of the Commonwealth stems from the shared knowledge and exchanges made through long-established professional associations, non-governmental organisations and informal links.
What part does the UK play?
The United Kingdom holds a leading role. It contributes substantially to programmes that promote good government, sustain development, improve education and health, make better structures for trade, improve economic management and provide technical help.
For example the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation which promotes sustainable economic and social development, receives a third of its £20 million annual budget from the UK.
The UK’s Department for International Development is one of the main contributor the Commonwealth of Learning as well as the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan. Every year, some 1,700 students benefit from Commonwealth scholarships and fellowships. The UK funds more than half of these fellowships and also spends more than £50 million each year supporting other overseas Commonwealth students on training courses and scholarships in the UK.
The Commonwealth Youth Programme is one of three special funds run by the Commonwealth Secretariat. Established in 1974, it helps member governments to prepare policies that effectively address issues that concern young people, involving them in the decision-making process.
Useful websites
- FCO (external link)
- DfID (external link)
- Commonwealth Secretariat (external link)
- Commonwealth Foundation (external link)
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