What does the Commonwealth do for my parliament?

The History of the Commonwealth

o Britain with colonies all over the worldo Beginning in 1867 Britain allows colonies self-

governmento Colonies rise to dominion status.

o Internal self-government o Independence in foreign affairs

o Term “Commonwealth” referring to British Empire first used in 1884

o Declarations & commitments form modern Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations

Balfour Declaration-1926: Dominions are autonomous, equal communities within British empire united by allegiance to British Crown.

Statute of Westminster-1931: Legal backing to dominion arrangements is provided.

London Declaration-1949: British Monarch becomes symbol for free association including an Commonwealth countries.

Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles-1971: Defined modern Commonwealth.

Declarations Modernize the Commonwealth

Harare Declaration-1991: Reaffirmed Commonwealth principles and: Stood against terrorism Pursued equality & participation by women Promoted sustainable development Promoted democracy

Millbrook Declaration-1995: Firm action against members who do not uphold Harare principles Suspension of participation at Commonwealth

meetings Complete suspension from the Commonwealth Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group Rapid Action

Force is created

Declarations Modernize the Commonwealth (cont.)

Limassol Declaration-1993, Edinburgh Declaration-1997, & Fancourt Declaration-1999: Economic matters, globalization and people-centered development.

Coolum Declaration-2002: Gave new vision and structure for the Commonwealth in 21st Century.

Aso Rock Declaration-2003: Stressed pro-poor stance.

Who’s in the Commonwealth now?

• 53 countries!• 1.7 billion people!• 2/3 without British Monarch as head of state

Commonwealth Members

Dates of MembershipNation Year Nation Year Nation Year

Antigua and Barbuda 1981 Australia 1931 The Bahamas 1973Bangladesh 1972 Barbados 1966 Belize 1981Botswana 1966 Brunei 1984 Cameroon 1995Canada 1931 Cyprus 1961 Dominica 1978 Fiji Islands 1997  The Gambia 1965 Ghana 1957Grenada 1974 Guyana 1966 India 1947Jamaica 1962 Kenya 1963 Kiribati

1979Lesotho 1966 Malawi 1964 Malaysia 1957 The Maldives 1982 Malta 1964 Mauritius 1968Mozambique 1995 Namibia 1990 Nauru 1968 New Zealand 1931 Nigeria 1960 Pakistan 1947Papua New Guinea 1975 St. Christopher and Nevis 1983 St. Lucia 1979 St. Vincent & Grenadines   1979 Samoa 1970 Seychelles 1976Sierra Leone 1961 Singapore 1965 Solomon Islands 1978South Africa 1931 Sri Lanka 1948 Swaziland 1968Tanzania 1961 Tonga 1970 Trinidad and Tobago 1962Tuvalu 1978 United Kingdom -- Uganda 1962Vanuatu 1980 Zambia 1964

What are the Commonwealth’s Core Values?Support:

DemocracyRule of lawGood governanceFreedom of expressionHuman rights

Respect:Diversity Human dignityPluralism Tolerance

Eliminate: discriminationpoverty

Promote:People-centered development Sustainable development

Overcome:Disparities in living standards Challenges of small states & less developed countries

Strive for:International peace & securityRule of international lawEnd of people smugglingEnd to terrorism.

Characteristics of Commonwealth Members

Countries:

• Comply with the Commonwealth core values

• Have a constitutional link with a Commonwealth member state

• Accept Commonwealth procedures and conventions

• Independent sovereign states

Organizations

• Voluntary membership• Equal membership by all

countries• Countries responsible for

their own policies• A culture of consultation &

co-operation. • Direct work to common

interests of Commonwealth• Promote understanding &

world peace.

Regions of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Nine Regions of CPA

Africa AsiaAustraliaBritish Islands and MediterraneanCanadaCaribbean, Americas and AtlanticIndiaPacificSouth East Asia

Languages of Commonwealth Countries

15%

50%

26%

9%

English Official

English and OtherLanguage Official

English Official, OtherLanguage Common

Other LanguageOfficial

Commonwealth SecretariatDetails

Established in 1965

Chief executive is secretary-general

Works with executives of members

Is Largest entity in Commonwealth

Cooperates with: Civil societyNGOsPrivate sector

Has 250 staff

Responsibilities

Implement decisions

Election Observer Groups

Development assistance

Foster member relationships

Encourage democracy & cooperation

Run events & training activities Politics Diplomacy Economics Education Health Gender Youth, etc.

What are the Commonwealth Small States?

32 CountriesPopulation < 1.5 million

NationSurface

AreaPopulation

(thousands) NationSurface

AreaPopulation

(thousands)

Antigua & Barbuda 440 68 Malta 320 395

Bahamas 13,880 310 Mauritius 2,040 1,200

Barbados 430 268 Namibia 824,290 1,792

Belize 22,960 578 Nauru 20 10

Botswana 581,730 1,695 Papua New Guinea 462,840 5,254

Brunei Darussalam 5,770 344 Samoa 2,840 174

Cyprus 9,250 761 Seychelles 450 82

Dominica 750 72 Solomon Islands 28,900 431

Fiji Islands 18,270 817 St Kitts & Nevis 360 45

Gambia 11,300 1,341 St Lucia 620 158

Grenada 340 103St Vincent & the Grenadines 390 109

Guyana 214,970 766 Swaziland 17,360 1,068

Jamaica 10,990 2,595 Tonga 750 101

Kiribati 730 93 Trinidad & Tobago 5,130 1,310

Lesotho 30,350 2,062 Tuvalu 30 10Maldives 300 280 Vanuatu 12,190 201

Organizations in the Commonwealth

• Commonwealth Parliamentary Association: Consultation between and among Commonwealth parliaments• Includes sub-national legislatures• Divided into regions• Organizes annual conference

• Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP): Provides professional development opportunities for women MPs

• Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF): plays a parallel role to that of the CPA for local governments.

Organizations in the Commonwealth (cont.)

• Commonwealth Foundation: • Strengthen civil society, democracy etc.• Increase exchanges between organizations• Improves standards of knowledge

• Commonwealth Games: Multinational, multi-sport event, every four years

• Commonwealth Business Council: Devoted to business interests in the Commonwealth

Organizations in the Commonwealth (cont.)•Commonwealth of Learning: A non-degree-granting University for development and educational access for commonwealth countries.

•Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative: Encourages human rights but does not possess any executive powers

•Institute of Commonwealth Studies/Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit: Think tank for the contemporary Commonwealth.

•The Royal Commonwealth Society: Provides information and education about the Commonwealth to all interested persons.

CHOGM Meetings

Established in 1971, replacing Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Meetings

Held every two years

Reiterate the core values and principles of the association

Review performance and global relevance

The Modern Commonwealth Machine: What keeps it together?

• A common heritage of • English language• Law• Parliamentary democracy

but…• Language and legal systems have changed• Many have dropped the bicameral parliamentary

systemyet, in spite of its variety, it is… • A potent force for harmonizing differences

CHOGM: Governing the Commonwealth

Policy-making

Performance evaluation

Publishes decisions

Outlines work

Appoints secretary-general

Think about this:

How can the Commonwealth help you:

Learning?

Networking?

Support?