Royal Commonwealth Society - Strengthening Communities

The Commonwealth - Fast Facts

The Commonwealth is made up of 54 independent countries that work together to pursue common goals which promote development, democracy, and peace. Our combined population of 2.4 billion is almost a third of the global population.

The combined GDP is projected to surpass US$13 trillion in 2020.
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.

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Events Calendar (RCSO and Other)

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COMMONWEALTH - Insights, Inspiration, & Innovation

Learning and inspiring through nature and adventure

RCSCA Newsletter October 2018

Apr 3, 2018

'The Queen's Green Planet'

To mark the documentary 'The Queen's Green Planet', which features The Queen & David Attenborough discussing the @QueensCanopy, a special campaign has been launched to enable viewers to get involved with the #CommonwealthCanopy. #QueensGreenPlanet The @WoodlandTrust is providing 50,000 trees for a plant-a-tree campaign, where school & community groups can make their own contribution the #CommonwealthCanopy. #QueensGreenPlanet The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (@QueensCanopy) is

The 46th National Student Commonwealth Forum: Sustainable Development

Prince Harry wins official leadership role in a bid to attract younger people to Commonwealth

Feb 19, 2018

Prince Harry wins official leadership role in a bid to attract younger people to Commonwealth

Prince Harry has been offered an official position with the Commonwealth, in a move to make the organisation more 'relevant to a younger generation'. The 33-year-old prince is expected to play a principal role at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, which runs from April 16 to 20. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent sovereign states, that are mostly former territories of the British Empire, and covers a population of 2.4 bi

Nov 8, 2017

Lasting Impact of the 2017 Invictus Games

Invictus Games research shows a fundamental shift in Canadians’ positive perceptions towards ill, wounded and injured veterans and service members, and increased support for veterans with mental and physical injuries. Research conducted following the conclusion of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 suggests that the Games fundamentally shifted the way Canadians view and support servicemen and servicewomen and veterans. This research served as an important tool in understanding t

The day Prince Harry showed the world how to talk about our problems

Apr 18, 2017

The day Prince Harry showed the world how to talk about our problems

When Bryony Gordon invited the prince to speak about mental health, she was expecting pre-checked PR speak. What she got was pure honesty. There was a moment, waiting for Prince Harry to arrive, that I had to pinch myself. It wasn’t so much that I was about to interview a senior royal, though it would be a lie to say that I wasn’t massively overexcited about getting to spend time in a small room with the most eligible bachelor on the planet. It was more what I was about to in

The classical music concert is a vital workout for our sagging, flabby attention spans

Apr 10, 2017

The classical music concert is a vital workout for our sagging, flabby attention spans

In the age of hyper-connectivity and multi-tasking, staying focused during a two- or three hour classical music performance can feel like a workout. At a Kennedy Center concert in Washington, DC last week, I sat next to a woman who popped some gummy vitamins as Russian virtuoso Daniil Trifonov played a blistering passage from Stravinsky’s Russian Dance. As the celebrated pianist tackled a rousing Shostakovich fugue a few minutes later, she again reached under her seat, this t

March 13, 7-8pm Commonwealth Interfaith Service - Kehillat Beth Israel Synagogue, 1400 Coldrey Ave,

Feb 26, 2017

March 13, 7-8pm Commonwealth Interfaith Service - Kehillat Beth Israel Synagogue, 1400 Coldrey Ave,

This year is a very important year and marks the 150th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation… Canada is an open and inclusive country. The Commonwealth Interfaith Service represents the best of Canada. High Commissioners, High Commission personnel, members of Parliament and local representatives of seven faiths will participate, celebrating the diversity of the 2.6 billion people in the Commonwealth, and promoting a peace-building Commonwealth. Over the course of its 38 year

MARKING A CENTURY OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE IN CANADA.

Jan 26, 2017

MARKING A CENTURY OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE IN CANADA.

To inspire young women to participate in the formal political sphere in the years and decades to come - Equal Voice has invited young women from the ages of 18 to 23 to Ottawa to be one of 338 who will take their seats in Parliament to represent their community and to communicate their vision for Canada, on March 7, 2016. Full Story #women #leadership #ENGAGE

A peace-building Commonwealth

Jan 21, 2017

A peace-building Commonwealth

This Commonwealth Day, Monday 13 March 2017, we want to make a statement that can't be ignored. We want Commonwealth citizens to commit to working together to ensure a peaceful Commonwealth. "At a time of increasing instability and uncertainty in the world, the Commonwealth family of nations in its rich diversity becomes an ever more-needed source of strength and hope for all its members. Full Story #ENGAGE

Jan 4, 2017

International Trade Working Paper

Greetings from the Trade Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat! This e-alert brings you the latest issues from the International Trade Working Paper series. This series promptly documents and disseminates reviews, analytical work and think-pieces to facilitate the exchange of ideas and to stimulate debates and discussions on issues that are of interest to developing countries in general and Commonwealth members in particular. New Issues Full Story #ENGAGE

Nominations open for Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards 2016

Aug 29, 2016

Nominations open for Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards 2016

Nominations are now open for the Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards 2016, which will recognise youth workers who utilise sport and arts programmes to engage and empower young people across the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards celebrate the positive impact of youth workers on young people’s lives, their communities and their societies. Youth workers can be found in a broad range of civil society and voluntary organisations as well as government ministries and y

The search is on to find the Commonwealth young person of the year

Aug 14, 2016

The search is on to find the Commonwealth young person of the year

Nominations are now open for the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, which recognise outstanding young people who have made a significant impact in improving the lives and livelihoods of others. Young people aged 15 to 29 from Commonwealth member countries are eligible to apply for the awards, which focus this year on celebrating young people’s contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Past awardees have included young

Aug 11, 2016

Commonwealth Oral Histories

The aim of this AHRC funded project is to produce a unique digital research resource on the oral history of the Commonwealth since 1965. When completed, it will include at least 60 major interviews with leading figures in the recent history of the organisation. The project will provide an essential research tool for anyone investigating the history of the Commonwealth and will serve to promote interest in and understanding of the organisation. These interviews contain the vie