The Commonwealth Conversation

A Common Family?

This critique of ‘the Commonwealth family’ is written by a young African member of a Commonwealth civil society organisation.

The inter-governmental Commonwealth works in many of its member states and assists them in election observation, peace building and technical assistance. There are also so called Commonwealth ‘civil society’ organisations in almost every country.

Despite these connections and good works, there are still many people that do not know anything about the Commonwealth, suggesting that there is much room and need for the organisation and its work to be highlighted.

Because of the Commonwealth’s ‘under the radar’ approach, the burden of publicity falls on the “friends of the Commonwealth” organisations.

In many countries the Commonwealth is only heard of if they host the heads of government meeting. Perhaps Commonwealth civil society bodies are not getting enough support to raise the profile of the Commonwealth? Do they need proper guidance and a watchful eye in order to be relevant?

I question many times why I am a member of my African Commonwealth organisation. I wonder who determines what activities we can and cannot take part in and if what we do is the same as what is being done by other membership organisations in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Uganda, and Malta?

I ask myself why the leadership never changes and why Commonwealth bodies do not recruit able personnel to run these organisations or oversee their progress? Universal targets could be set in line with the current focus of the Secretariat. This focus is badly needed.

Commonwealth organisations around the world need to work together along with the Secretariat to ensure that any projects the organisation designs and implements are promoted throughout the association.

Country-based organisations should also be called upon by the media to comment on Commonwealth affairs in order to raise their own profile, as well as the association’s.

In every Commonwealth state there should be an effective representative organisation. They do not need to comment on behalf of the Secretariat but provide the link between local people, NGOs, politicians and the inter-governmental Commonwealth.

This would increase knowledge of the Commonwealth’s activities and educate the public about its valuable work. Promotion, profile and a co-ordinated approach are what the Commonwealth currently needs.

Category : Connecting with Young People, My Commonwealth, The Commonwealth's Relevance
Tags: Civil Society, Family
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