The Commonwealth of Nations

Intergovernmental organisation of 53 memeber states, that were territories of the former British Empire = 32 republiccs, 5 monarchies with their own monarch and 16 constitutional monarchies with the Britisch ruler as the Head of State

All members have to subscribe to the Commonwealth Charter Leaders of Commonwealth member states meet every two

years to discus issues of mutual concern and interest Member states have no legal obligation to one another. They

are only united by language, history, culture and their shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. These values are enschrined in the Commonwealth Chrter and promoted by the quadrennial Commonwealth Games

Structure

Under the formula of the London Declaration, Queen Elizabeth II. is the Head of Commonwealth a title is by law a part of Elizabeth royal titles in each of the Commonwealth realms, the 16 members of commonwealth that recognise the Queen as their monarch

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is the main decision-making forum of the organisation where Commonwealth heads of government (prime ministers and presidents) gather to discus matters of mutual interest

Commonwealth Secretariat is the main intergovernmental agency of the Commonwealth, facilitating consultation and co-operation among member governments and countries. It organises Commonwealth summit, meetings of ministers, consultative meetings and providing policy advice, and facilitating communication among the member governmentsThe Secretariat is headed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General elected by Commonwealth heads of Government for no more than two four-year terms

Malborough House, London, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth‘s principal intergovernmental institation

History of the Commonwealth of Nations

Commonwealth was founded at the end of 20th Century during decolonisation of the British Empire and establishing independent governments in its former territories

In 1867 Canada became a ´dominion´ a self governing nation considered equal with Britain

Term Commonweatlh of Nations was First used by Lord Rosebury during a speech in Australia

In 1931 Statute of Westminster established Commonwealth Nations as autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status and no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs united by alligiance to the Crown

Setting of Objectives The Commonwealth has secretariat to oversee

its bussines, but no formal constitution or international laws

In 1971 the Singapore Declartion of Commonwealth Principles issued an ethnical and moral code by which memebers agree to operate, including aims of peace, democracy, liberty, equality and to racism and poverty

In 1979 Lusaka Declaration added opposition to discrimination on the basis of gender

In 1989 added new policies for enviromental sustainability