Commonwealth Business Forum

The Commonwealth Business Forum was postponed in 2002 and at this stage there are no plans to reconvene in concert with CHOGM 2002.

Background: It is a major international business event which brings together business and government leaders from throughout the Commonwealth for dialogue on innovative ways of promoting practices and policies for the enhancement of trade and investment, with a particular emphasis on providing new opportunities for business networking and partnerships in support of the Commonwealth core business promoting democracy, good governance (including high standards of corporate governance) and economic and social development of its member countries.

Participants typically include company heads and managers from Commonwealth countries; a number of Commonwealth Heads of Government and ministers, permanent secretaries and senior officials, trade and investment authority representatives, consultants, researchers and analysts, and representatives of industry associations and chambers of commerce.

Commonwealth Youth Forum

The Commonwealth Youth Forum, from 30 September - 7 October, aimed to mobilise youth in support of central Commonwealth objectives of good governance and democracy, sustainable economic and social development and the rule of law. Its theme "A new Generation: the role of young people in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century" focused on the need to address specific issues of concern to young people and to encourage participants to promote home-based community action plans on their return. It included 2 youths from 52 overseas countries (104) plus approximately 30 young Australians plus several facilitators (ie up to 150 attendees).

Commonwealth People's Centre (and Festival)

The Commonwealth People's Centre and Festival, from 2-8 October, was mounted in support of the wider Commonwealth objectives of good governance, democracy and the rule of law. The Commonwealth People's Centre (CPC) provided a meeting place for civil society organisations of the Commonwealth (including voluntary organisations, professional groups and arts/culture groups) and their Australian counterparts. The programme emphasised functional coherence between bodies operating in related areas and demonstrated how the NGO community interacts with and supports the Commonwealth's objectives. Activities of the CPC (workshops, seminars, cultural events) extended throughout the city of Brisbane and were styled as a Commonwealth People's Festival, showcasing the Commonwealth at work at grass-roots level, with the theme "The Commonwealth into the New Century: Connecting Communities" committed to the social and economic development of the peoples of the Commonwealth.

February 2002

For further information:

Contact: Terry Walls, Media Information Officer, CHOGM 2002 Task Force
Mobile: 0419 606 107
E-mail terry.walls@pmc.gov.au

Prepared by: CHOGM 2002 Task Force
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet