The Commonwealth Conversation

Title: Conversation Event in Toronto
Description: A panel discussing the theme ‘Harnessing Diversity: shaping the future of the Commonwealth’ was held on October 20th from 4-6 pm in the Upper Library at Massey College, University of Toronto.
Date: 2009-10-20

The RCS Toronto branch submitted a report raising several points regarding the role of the Commonwealth in the 21st Century. The following are some of those issues raised:

On which key global issues should the Commonwealth focus its efforts?

It was felt by some that the Commonwealth must stand for something – and the world must know what it stands for!

Human Rights

Nations that violate the human rights of its citizens should not be allowed to continue its membership in the Commonwealth. Developed countries can set the example for how rights can be protected in civil society.

What role should the Commonwealth play in the new century?

The G-20 has become the main body for dealing with the global economy. Does the G-20 limit its scope to the 20 member nations? No, the Commonwealth must shift its focus from its own 53 members onto issues in the world that deal with the core principles previously outlined: democracy, rule of law, free enterprise and human rights.

Title: Conversation Event in Nigeria
Location: Abuja
Description: The Nigerian leg of the Commonwealth Conversation met in Abuja on Monday 12th October 2009, to discuss the challenges facing the Commowealth and the future direction of the Association.
Date: 2009-10-12

The event kicked off with an interactive session on the Commonwealth and its activities and was officially declared open by the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Chief Ojo Maduekwe. The event was also chaired by His Excellency Ambassardor Daniel Hart.

Participants were drawn from Labour Union, Civil Servants, Law makers, Women societies, Diplomatic Corps, Youth Organisations, Civil Society Organisations, the Media, Government officials, business executives, professional bodies and Faith based organisations.

The Conversation agreed on some of the following recomendations:

STRUCTURE OF THE COMMONWEALTH

The Conversation agreed that Commonwealth Regional offices should be established in all the regions of the Commonwealth within the next two (2) years and Country offices in the next five (5) years so as to create a platform for working closer with the people of the Commonwealth.

DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

The Commonwealth Election Observer Group should be more objective in the analysis of elections among members states. In addition to this, fraudulently elected leaders should not be recognised by the Association.

COOPERATION AMONG MEMBER STATES

Also, immigration and mobility among member states should be eased such that citizens of member states can move freely within the Commonwealth States without visa for a visit of less than thirty (30) days.

Title: Conversation Event in Kenya
Location: Nairobi
Date: 2009-10-27

On Tuesday 27th October 2009, a Commonwealth Conversation was held at the British Council in Nairobi. Thirty-four participants drawn from academia, civil society, youth groups and the media took part in a lively discussion on the Commonwealth.

A majority of participants felt that the association is still associated in the public mind with Britain and British colonialism. There was strong awareness of a number of Commonwealth activities such as the Commonwealth games and Commonwealth scholarship programmes. It was agreed, however, that more general awareness of the association and its activities should be raised among Commonwealth citizens. Participants questioned the Commonwealth’s track record on democratisation and rule of law issues, suggesting the association did not make its presence felt during Kenya’s recent post-election crisis, despite Commonwealth observers being stationed in the country.

Participants suggested the Commonwealth’s profile could be raised in Kenya by the opening of a Commonwealth office in Nairobi and the appointing of a global Commonwealth Goodwill Ambassador.

Rob Macaire, UK High Commissioner to Kenya, blogged his thoughts on the Conversation:

Last week we held the local edition of the global conversation on the Commonwealth that I mentioned in my last blog. Here are some notes that I took of the event;

Many people still associate the Commonwealth with Britain and believe that membership should allow free visa travel to the UK and other Commonwealth countries. There was quite a lot of awareness on specific areas of Commonwealth activity such as Commonwealth games, Scholarship programmes, media training and coordination on legal systems.

There was a feeling that the Commonwealth could do more in exerting pressure on rights issues and constitution building in Kenya. One of the audience commented that the Secretariat should be given more power to address issues to do with Member states.

An overwhelming conclusion was that more needed to be done to promote Commonwealth and raise awareness on the activities been carried out.

I urge you to look at the website of this global conversation which has thrown up some lively debate

Title: Conversation Event in Zimbabwe
Location: Harare, University of Zimbabwe
Description: A “Commonwealth Conversation” took place in Harare, at the University of Zimbabwe. A distinguished panel faced an audience of some 250. Debate was free and flowing.
Date: 2009-10-09

Cameras at the event captured some of the thoughts of the attendees:

Continue reading…

Title: Live Online Discussions
Location: The RCS
Date: 2009-11-03

Continue reading…

Title: Commonwealth Conversation Event in Canada
Location: Ottawa
Description: High Commissioner Cary, Nick Hopton, and other members of the High Commission met with a group of parliamentarians from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to discuss the future of the Commonwealth.
Date: 2009-09-17

From the UK in Canada website:

The British High Commission hosted Nicholas Hopton from the International Organizations Directorate who was in Ottawa to further the Commonwealth Conversation and to discuss international institutional reform (IIR) with his Canadian counterparts. Thinking about ways to improve various international organizations, from the UN to NATO and the Commonwealth, is a priority for the UK government.

Part of his program included talks with the Royal Commonwealth Society of Ottawa and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on the future of the Commonwealth, as part of the Commonwealth Conversation. He noted the following after his discussions:

“Visiting Canada to discuss the Conversation with Canadian parliamentarians, the Ottawa and Vancouver RCS and officials. We share a responsibility — along with the other members and the Commonwealth Secretariat — to strengthen this unique and diverse international organization. The Commonwealth has the potential to be more effective in delivering on its common values –democracy, rule of law, human rights, good governance. We must get young Canadians to engage more on what they want from their Commonwealth. The Conversation is the way to do that.

His visit produced a frank and thoughtful exchange of ideas on how we can move forward in making our international institutions as effective as possible.

Title: Commonwealth Conversation Event in New Zealand
Location: Auckland
Date: 2009-10-16

On Friday October 16, the Commonwealth Conversation visited One Tree Hill College, Auckland, where 40 students produced a video to be presented to Prime Minister John Key on the future of the Commonwealth. 

This event was facilitated by the Auckland branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society.

On 21st October, a group of students presented their video and a report of their discussions at the New Zealand Parliament, Wellington at another Commonwealth Conversation Event.

Title: Expert Panel Discussion: Climate Change
Location: RCS
Date: 2009-10-13

Danny Sriskandarajah, Director of the RCS, blogged on this meeting:

I’ve just come out of a fascinating Commonwealth Conversation on climate change. We had some of the world’s leading experts on climate change around the table to discuss how the Commonwealth could add value in the global efforts to promote sustainability. The discussion was held under the Chatham House Rule so I cannot say who said what but I did want to flag up a few key things that emerged.

Continue reading…

Title: Commonwealth Conversation Event in Nigeria
Location: Abuja
Date: 2009-09-24

Mr Blackson Olaseni Bayewumi, National Coordinator of the Commonwealth Youth Organisation of Nigeria, introduced this event alongside Commonwealth High Commissioners and former Commonwealth Secretary General Cheif Anyaoku:

As this year marks 60th Year Anniversary of the Commonwealth and our Political Leaders across the Commonwealth will be meeting during the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of government meeting taking place in Trinidad and Tobago, there is no better time to engage in this global discussion than now. The RCS will present a set of recommendations to the CHOGM for consideration based on people?s contributions to the conversation from all over the world.

It is on this note, that our Organisation, an affiliate of the Royal Commonwealth Society, presents the Nigerian edition of the Conversation.