#Commonwealth

The Commonwealth - Fast Facts

The Commonwealth is made up of 54 independent countries that work together to pursue common goals which promote democracy, equality, and sustainable development. Our combined population of 2.6 billion is almost a third of the global population.

The combined GDP is US$12.6 trillion in 2022.
Half of the top 20 global emerging cities are in the Commonwealth.
Seven of the top 10 countries in the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which measures rule of law, human rights, participation, human development and sustainable economic opportunity, are Commonwealth members.
Seven of the top 10 countries for gender equality in Sub-Saharan Africa are Commonwealth countries, according to World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2015.
Five of the best performing 15 countries in the Youth Development Index are Commonwealth members.
Since 1991, 12 Commonwealth member countries have moved to multi-party democracy from military or one-party rule.

Learn More

Events Calendar (RCSO and Other)

(select an event for details and to register)

HM The Queen's - Commonwealth Day Message, 3/14/ 2022

COMMONWEALTH - Insights, Inspiration, & Innovation

Harry, Meghan & Archie Returning to England for Commonwealth Day Service

RCS Ottawa

Feb 9, 2020

Harry, Meghan & Archie Returning to England for Commonwealth Day Service

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are currently based in Canada, but their official royal duties haven't concluded just yet. According to The Sunday Times, "The couple are to bring Archie back to Britain for a final round of royal duties after enjoying a big payday," referring to their recent secret appearance in Miami at the JPMorgan-sponsored Alternative Investment Summit. Commonwealth Day takes place on March 9 in 2020, and the royals annually attend a service at Westminster

Applications for Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth #Scholarships are now open!

@commonwealthsec

Dec 1, 2019

Applications for Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth #Scholarships are now open!

Applications for Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth #Scholarships are now open! #QECS give talented students from the #Commonwealth the opportunity to gain a Master's Degree, while developing new skills, experiencing life in another country and building their global networks. Full Story #youth #Commonwealth

"Women Mediators across the Commonwealth"

The Royal Family ‏@RoyalFamily

Dec 1, 2019

"Women Mediators across the Commonwealth"

Women mediators and peacebuilders welcomed The Countess of Wessex to their discussions earlier this week. HRH joined the "Women Mediators across the Commonwealth" network, as part of her ongoing work in the #WomenPeaceSecurity arena. Full Story #women #Commonwealth

@commonwealthsec

Oct 7, 2019

Commonwealth website for #children

#Commonwealth for kids: diversity, equality, friendship. Check out this Commonwealth website for #children. http://www.youngcommonwealth.org/ A great resource for parents, teachers and schools to find out more about what we do together to make a #ConnectedCommonwealth. Full Story #Commonwealth #youth

RCS Ottawa

Sep 11, 2019

Canada gives $2.7 million boost for Commonwealth Blue Charter

September 5, 2019 – The Commonwealth Secretariat New funding from the Government of Canada will help protect marine health and promote good ocean governance, aligned with the Commonwealth Blue Charter’s action group on ocean observation. The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an agreement made by the 53 member states to actively co-operate to solve ocean-related problems and achieve sustainable ocean development. Full Story #Environment #Commonwealth

RCS Ottawa

Sep 9, 2019

Commonwealth War Graves guided tours

Visiting the @CWGC’s Thiepval Memorial or Tyne Cot Cemetery between now and November? The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation Interns will be happy to give you a guided tour of either site if you visit between 11am and 4pm. Learn more, here: http://ow.ly/HQHg50uoxWG #CWGFinterns Full Story #youth #Commonwealth

Africa is leading the world in plastic bag bans

Quartz

Aug 30, 2019

Africa is leading the world in plastic bag bans

In 2017 Tanzania’s anti-plastic initiative to “protect the youth and environment,” banned the manufacture of plastic bags and in-country distribution. As of June visitors to the country will have to leave their plastic bags at the port of entry. Tanzania aims to be plastic bag free, and it’s just one of 34 African nations fighting against single-use plastics with such bans. Read more ... #Africa #Commonwealth

The #Commonwealth will assist the East African Community

RCS Ottawa

Aug 12, 2019

The #Commonwealth will assist the East African Community

The #Commonwealth will assist the East African Community (#EAC) in implementing the authorised economic operator programme, which will offer easier customs clearance for exporters in the region. Learn more about the new project #CommonwealthTrade Full Story #Africa #Commonwealth

RCS Ottawa

May 25, 2019

75th Anniversary of D-Day

Two weeks today, 6 June, will see the 75th Anniversary of D-Day being marked. The @CWGC is working with @PoppyLegion, the UK Government and other key stakeholders on a series of commemorations in Portsmouth and Normandy. Learn more, here: http://ow.ly/v17o50unSkX #DDay75 #WW2 Full Story #youth #Commonwealth

70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth

@RoyalFamily

Apr 26, 2019

70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth. The Queen has been Head of the Commonwealth – a network of 53 countries and almost 2.4 billion people, since 1952. Full Story #women #Commonwealth

@queenscomtrust

Apr 20, 2019

WE Partnership

In 2018, The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust were proud to launch a partnership in the #UK and #Canada with @WEMovement, supporting projects developed by young people to enable them to deliver greater impact in their local communities. Full Story #leadership #youth #Commonwealth

@Canadian_Crown

Apr 12, 2019

101st Anniversary of Vimy Ridge

Today in 1917, Canadians launched their attack on Vimy Ridge. In 2017, to mark the 100th Anniversary Prince William placed the last pair of boots at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial marking the 3598 Canadians who died at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. #cdncrown #cdnhist #cdnpoli Full Story #leadership #security #Commonwealth #youth

Protect the environment through sustainable agriculture

@queenscomtrust

Apr 12, 2019

Protect the environment through sustainable agriculture

Four young leaders came together by chance and discovered a unique, innovative way to protect the environment through sustainable agriculture . Read more from M-Shamba co-founder Felix Collins as he talks about developing a #SocEnt start-up Full Story #innovation #youth #Commonwealth

@OneYoungWorld

Mar 24, 2019

@queenscomtrust Scholarship

We're delighted to announce the @queenscomtrust Scholarship - the Scholarship will support young leaders from Commonwealth countries who drive change in health, environment, sport & education to attend the #OYW2019 Summit. Apply now: http://bit.ly/2u6PsEH #TeamQCT Full Story #youth #Commonwealth

@KensingtonRoyal

Mar 24, 2019

@StVincentsActon tree planting

The Duke of Sussex joined a @StVincentsActon tree planting in support of the @QueensCanopy, together with @WoodlandTrust. Find out more about the QCC's work to unite the Commonwealth family of nations in creating a global network of indigenous forests: https://queenscommonwealthcanopy.org Full Story #Commonwealth

@commonwealthsec

Mar 24, 2019

#ConnectedCommonwealth

The #Commonwealth is one of the world’s oldest political association of states, compromising of 53 independent and equal sovereign states. Learn more about our history with our interactive timeline, available on our website http://thecommonwealth.org Full Story #leadership #Commonwealth #youth

What do you think are the key issues young people are facing today?

@queenscomtrust

Jan 26, 2019

What do you think are the key issues young people are facing today?

Amazing to see our President continuing to engage with #youngleaders across the #Commonwealth in his role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador What do you think are the key issues young people are facing today? Tweet and let us know! #ThursdayThoughts Full Story #Commonwealth #youth

@commonwealthsec

Jan 26, 2019

How the Commonwealth is promoting #democracy

Building, supporting and strengthening legal systems in our member countries is a key aim of the #Commonwealth. Find out how the Commonwealth is promoting #democracy in member countries in our #CommonwealthExperts series. #CommonwealthElections Full Story #Commonwealth

Cape Town delayed its Day Zero but South Africa’s water woes are far from over.

Quartz

Jan 20, 2019

Cape Town delayed its Day Zero but South Africa’s water woes are far from over.

This time a year ago Cape Town’s residents were in panic over tightening water restrictions as it looked to become the world’s first major city to run out of water. But, climate change’s arid reach is extending to other South African cities and towns. Read more . #Commonwealth #Africa

Nigeria’s middle class is trying to leave in droves for Canada.

Quartz

Jan 19, 2019

Nigeria’s middle class is trying to leave in droves for Canada.

Despite Nigeria’s vast oil wealth, electricity supply is far from regular and makes life miserable and expensive. Middle-class Nigerians can end up spending up to three times more running petrol or diesel power generators than they do on electricity bills. Read More #Newsletter #Africa #Commonwealth

The Commonwealth - Fast Facts

The Commonwealth is made up of 54 independent countries that work together to pursue common goals which promote democracy, equality, and sustainable development. Our combined population of 2.6 billion is almost a third of the global population.

The combined GDP is US$12.6 trillion in 2022.

Half of the top 20 global emerging cities are in the Commonwealth.

Seven of the top 10 countries in the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which measures rule of law, human rights, participation, human development and sustainable economic opportunity, are Commonwealth members.

Seven of the top 10 countries for gender equality in Sub-Saharan Africa are Commonwealth countries, according to World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2015.

Five of the best performing 15 countries in the Youth Development Index are Commonwealth members.

Since 1991, 12 Commonwealth member countries have moved to multi-party democracy from military or one-party rule.

Learn More

Events Calendar (RCSO and Other)

(select an event for details and to register)

HM The Queen's - Commonwealth Day Message, 3/14/ 2022

COMMONWEALTH - Insights, Inspiration, & Innovation

Harry, Meghan & Archie Returning to England for Commonwealth Day Service

Applications for Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth #Scholarships are now open!

"Women Mediators across the Commonwealth"

Commonwealth website for #children

Canada gives $2.7 million boost for Commonwealth Blue Charter

Commonwealth War Graves guided tours

Africa is leading the world in plastic bag bans

The #Commonwealth will assist the East African Community

75th Anniversary of D-Day

70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth

WE Partnership

101st Anniversary of Vimy Ridge

Protect the environment through sustainable agriculture

@queenscomtrust Scholarship

@StVincentsActon tree planting

#ConnectedCommonwealth

What do you think are the key issues young people are facing today?

How the Commonwealth is promoting #democracy

Cape Town delayed its Day Zero but South Africa’s water woes are far from over.

Nigeria’s middle class is trying to leave in droves for Canada.