Do you have a message for the Eminent Persons Group?
Posted by JoB - 27/08/10 at 11:08 am
Although the Commonwealth Conversation came to an official end in March 2010, the work of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) set up to explore options for Commonwealth reform is just beginning in earnest…
Heads of government, meeting in Trinidad & Tobago last November, called for the creation of an EPG partly as a result of the findings of the Conversation.
The Group’s goals are to sharpen the impact, strengthen the networks, and raise the profile of the Commonwealth. They will report to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which will take place in Perth, Australia in October 2011.
The Group is chaired by former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and includes representatives from Australia, Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kiribati, Mozambique, Pakistan, Uganda and the UK. Click here to find out more.
In the past few weeks, we have met with several members of the Group to share what we discovered during the Conversation. However, if there is a particular message or recommendation you would like us to relay to the EPG, post your comment here and we will pass it on!
Alternatively, you can fill in a questionnaire designed by the EPG to gather the opinions of Commonwealth citizens all over the world. Click here to complete their survey.
Category : homepage items, The Official Commonwealth
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August 27th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
The Commonwealth needs to have a more co-ordinated approch to using Commonwealth Day (2nd monday in March) as a way to raise awareness of what it does.
August 28th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
The members of the human race need to learn to live together more peaceably and with greater mutually beneficial harmony and cooperation. The institution of the United Nations is an overarching expression of that need, but needs to be built from smaller, but similarly globe-girdling, blocks of societies with a lot in common. The Commonwealth, with its shared histories, language, legal systems, values and aspirations, is the current best model of the latter. For the sake of the human race, it needs to evolve further.
A first requisite for evolution is that the peoples of the Commonwealth – all generations, and especially their young people- know about the Commonwealth and what it stands for. That in turn requires the 54 governments, their civil societies and their civic leaders to ensure on the one hand that they disseminate this knowledge and understanding through their education and information systems; and, on the other, that they vigorously facilitate communications between their peoples at all levels and through manifold channels.
As I see it, the task of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group is to assess what kinds of multi-lateral institutions would most effectively support such dissemination and communication and promote the kinds of evolution that would reinforce the movement towards a less divided and quarrelsome humanity.
August 29th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
I will like to agree with the two previous writers adding that the Royal Commonwealth Society can play a great role in sharing its responsibilities with key organisations around the Commonwealth. The education of the youths and the younger members of the Commonwealth can be done through nationwide activities to suit the levels. Example: At primary schools there can be a period of time during the day set aside on the time table to speak on Commonwealth issues , following a special address from the Queen and Secretary General to this particular audience.
This activity can follow through to Secondary schools and Tertiary institutions. In addition to this there can be the usual celebrations by civil society organizations as they address where is the topic under discussion at this point in time. In each country the morning session can be addressed by speakers at the local level and in the afternoon it can be addressed by a guest speaker at the international level.
The heads of governments and emminent persons in each country can reflect on whether they have achieved anything in the name of the Commonwealth, who have they helped, what interests have they contributed towards and have they been able to contribute to the building up of the Commonwealth values in their countries.
These ideas are cost effective and can be done in little time. The Day will be more meaningful as all will be participating at some level.
August 30th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
The Commonwealth is an important organisation that needs to be reinvigorated to show its members and the wider world just how important a model it is for the future.
The name says everything that needs to be done ‘common’ ‘wealth’. The aim with gusto should be to bring all members up to a similar standard so that the challenges of the future can be solved together. Trade, education, employment are key items that are required for a successful and prosperous country. Using the vast wealth of knowledge of the Commonwealth’s members there is no reason why everyone cannot have the same opportunities as those in the more developed countries i.e. UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc.
One last part that I think is important and it concerns the UK, the UK should leave Europe as a full member and return to its roots with the Commonwealth. Europe is selfish and appears to be democratic, but in reality goes against what the Commonwealth stands for. Free trade and democracy are some of the foundation stones of the Commonwealth and the UK must make a stand to show Europe and the world that the future resembles more like the Commonwealth than a future United States of Europe.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:52 pm
I am aware that a Commonwealth Free-Trade agreement would be a difficult thing to achieve, as is anything involving 53 countries with not neccessarily similar aims, but I believe that it is the best idea to make the Commonweath relevant to the modern world. It would hold benefits for both the developed economies (Cheaper raw materials, new markets), and the weaker economies (New Markets, employment due to greater economic activity, investment from richer nations), as well as directly affecting individuals by providing work etc. It would also provide an incentive for national governments to remain close to the organisation, as in these less idealistic times, the only way to ensure the continued relevence of the Commonwealth is cold, hard cash.
September 9th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
I believe that two reasons exist for the declining interest in the Commonwealth:
1. Corruption by political leaders in some Commonwealth countries.
2. Apthay among both politicains and bureaucrats.
I suggest that the EPG strongly urge/require ALL Commonwealth countries/leaders institute a training syllabus for ALL new politicians AND newly recruited civil servants working in international affairs, on membership in global organisations including the Commonwealth. And that the focus be on a)benefits of belonging to these organisations and, b)what they can do to benefit the Commonwaelth and other organizations. Furthermore that the politiicans and bureaucrats promote public participation in their country’s global connections.
September 17th, 2010 at 12:17 am
The most useful thing the Eminent Persons Group can do is to work out what things the Commonwealth should stop doing. Its mandate is too broad and it is pulled in too many directions. If the EPG can come up with a list of key priorities for the Commonwealth, and identify areas of work that should be cut, that would be a fine thing. Getting Member States to agree to that list may be another matter…
September 19th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
I support the perspectives on this but think the Commonwealth also needs to take a deep look into the management of the agencies. We find too many people who are either ineffective or abusive in their management. The management of human resources of the principle agencies should be independently reviewed, not by a group of friends or politicians but rather an international auditing company.
November 25th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Why not continue to use this site as a method of getting in touch with the people of the commonwealth. It worked remarkably well and still has a following.
Strike while the iron is hot and feel the benefit.
February 24th, 2011 at 5:08 am
I suggest that the principle of sustainable development requires the development of a policy for implementation by Member Countries. A model could be Statistics NZ 2009 report- “Measuring New Zealand,s Progress Using a Sustainable Development Approach 2008″ The full report can be found at http://www.stats.govt.nz/sustainable development.I quote from the address by Geoff Bascand, Govt Statisician, NZ, published by NZ Institute of International Affairs Jan/Feb 2011 edition of the Review,page12quote ‘ It provides an overarching view of the state of New Zealand’s environmental, economic,and social position through time and in terms of the resources available in the future. It permits meaningful insights into that performance within an internationally agreed framework.’unquote. I commend this work and article which marks World Statistics Day 20 October 2010 to the Eminent Persons Group for consideration.
March 9th, 2011 at 4:29 am
the commonwealth is the future for britain in the 21st century. we need to reconect with our people around the world after nearly 40 years of neglecting them. britain and the commonwealth have shared values and shared laws which make trade and enterprise easier for all concerned. please tell me why a commonwelth federation is not a long term goal of the British government and all governments throughout the commonwealth? is the time not ripe for a level headed balance in the world
May 22nd, 2011 at 7:20 am
The majority of people I know (in Australia) have a very low opinion of the Commonwealth, perceiving it as being out of touch and irrelevant to today’s world, and identifying it with colonialist thinking and the traditions of the British Empire. Yet the Commonwealth has such great potential, and in fact is really quite modern! Approximately 1/3 of the world’s population resides in Commonwealth countries, and half the population of the Commonwealth is under 25. Of the 54 members of the Commonwealth, 45 are classified by the IMF as ‘emerging or developing economies’. This organisation is in a unique position to create change; however, if such change is to be accomplished it must project a sense of modernity in order to continue attracting support across the world.