The Commonwealth Conversation

At the end of their meeting in Trinidad and Tobago in November 2009, Commonwealth leaders called for the establishment of an ‘Eminent Person’s Group’ to undertake an examination of options for reform. But who should be in it?

H.M. The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, highlighted the Commonwealth’s Relevance in its 60th Anniversary Year during her 2009 Christmas Broadcast. Her speech also featured video interviews with delegates at the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Trinidad and Tobago.

In a closing statement from the Port of Spain Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) yesterday, Commonwealth leaders recognised the work carried out by the Royal Commonwealth Society in the Commonwealth Conversation and called for the creation of an Eminent Persons’ Group to look at options for reform.

After a fantastic opening ceremony (I hope you saw my tweets), things seem quieter at CHOGM. The leaders have gone into their ‘retreat’ (which looks just like any other big table with lots of be-suited men around it) and bilateral meetings.

It’s been a long day with lots of things happening.

A curious thing happened at the press conference to launch our report. The Director of Communications at the Commonwealth Secretariat asked if the Commonwealth’s low profile was all his fault.

I have been struck by two things. First, that the scale of what will transpire over the next few days in Port of Spain is unimaginable, at least by local standards.

Journalist Derek Ingram asks, “should Rwanda be admitted to the Commonwealth”?

After an intense few days, our report is off to the printers and will be published next week, just as Commonwealth leaders and officials turn up for CHOGM in Trinidad.

The Commonwealth fails to live up to its promises on human rights, says the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.