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Fact Sheet: The Modern
Commonwealth
Is a diverse global community
The modern Commonwealth is made up of 54 nations and 1.7 billion
people, about 30% of the world's total population. The countries
represent a diverse range of cultures, populations, governments
and economies from very small and economically vulnerable developing
countries to large industrial and advanced economies.
The majority of its members (50) fall in to the category of "developing
countries" and it is not surprising therefore that the Commonwealth
focuses largely on concerns to them. Commonwealth efforts to strengthen
the capacity of the developing members for good governance, debt
relief, and support for small states reflect this.
The Coolum (Sunshine Coast, Queensland) CHOGM is bringing together
representatives of 53 Commonwealth countries and a large number
of leaders of the developed and developing world, meeting on equal
terms to address common issues.
Is a community focussed on shared values
The modern Commonwealth is built on its members' shared commitment
to core values and principles. These have been successively elaborated
by leaders in Singapore (1971), Harare (1991), Edinburgh (1997)
and Fancourt, South Africa (1999). In brief they are:
- respect for diversity and human dignity, and resolute opposition
to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in race, ethnicity,
creed or gender;
- adherence to democracy, the rule of law, good governance, freedom
of expression and the protection of human rights;
- the elimination of poverty and the promotion of people-centred
development, and the progressive removal of the wide disparities
in living standards amongst members; and
- the promotion of the special needs of small states.
The result is that the Commonwealth is an organisation focussed
on good governance, conflict prevention and resolution, responsible
economic management and the special needs of small states.
Full texts of the Declarations can be found on the Commonwealth
Secretariat's web site at: http://www.thecomonnwealth.org/
Achieves effective change
The Commonwealth does not seek to replicate other multilateral
organisations but concentrates on niche areas where it can make
a difference. This is its strength. The Commonwealth's values-driven
focus has made it an unusually effective agent for change and for
social and economic progress. Examples of its achievements are:
promoting good governance and conflict resolution:
- played a critical role in decolonisation, dismantling apartheid
in South Africa and in re-establishing civilian government in
Nigeria in the late 1990s;
- mobilises international opinion for a quick return to democratic
practices and constitutional rule (eg. Solomon Islands, Fiji);
- maintains a strict internal discipline against members who are
involved in unconstitutional overthrows (eg. Fji and Pakistan
are suspended from the Commonwealth on this basis).
promoting economic development and management:
- built up the capacity of members to advance their interests
in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations; and
- worked effectively to progress meaningful international debt
relief measures, provided technical advice on debt-management,
and helped members establish their case for debt relief.
promoting the special needs of small states:
- traditionally provided a sympathetic political forum for smaller
states, which have trouble being heard internationally and has
worked hard with the World Bank and others for effective international
recognition of their particular vulnerability; and
- provided help geared to the needs of small states, eg. a "joint
office" to enable pooled support services to allow small
countries to be represented at the UN.
A community facing change together
The Commonwealth is collectively committed to ensuring that all
its members benefit more equitably from the opportunities presented
by increased economic interdependence. Accessing these opportunities,
within a framework emphasising respect for democracy and human rights,
was a major theme of the 1999 Durban CHOGM and its Fancourt Declaration.
An inclusive community
The Commonwealth is a cross-section of the globe, representing
diverse constituencies from the North and the South, rich and poor,
large and small.
- It provides a fertile arena for dialogue and bridge-building.
Its democratic decision-making ensures all members have an equal
voice.
- Its common language, shared traditions, and similarities in
administrative, legal and educational systems enable it to share
experience and improve standards through practical cooperation
in a wide range of sectors.
- Its inclusiveness helps it to advance the interests of its
smaller and weaker members, whose voices are not otherwise heard.
The Commonwealth is a global community committed to its members'
progress.
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
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