June 28th, 2018
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence, the King of Swaziland has announced that the country's name is being returned to its pre-colonial name of eSwatini.
https://www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk/commonwealth/africa/swaziland/eswatini-whats-name/
1st Post, June 29th, 2018
The courts in British territory of Bermuda have overturned a ban on same-sex marriage enacted in 2017. The ruling has been stayed for six weeks to allow the government to appeal; if no appeal is forthcoming, same sex marriage will once again be legal on the island.
Same sex marriage is now forecast to be legal in all British Overseas Territories save Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, the Turks and Caicos Islands.
http://www.royalgazette.com/same-sex-marriage/article/20180607/delight-as-gay-couples-again-win-right-to-marry
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2nd Post, June 29th, 2018
Enjoy the latest circular from RCS Vancouver Island.
https://mailchi.mp/e08b5fa3ebd6/here-it-isrcs-vi-may-2017-circular-522839?e=417d69892e
June 30th, 2018
A quick look back to April, and the first in a series of essays shared by the University of London's School of Advanced Study. The series opens with Dr Sue Onslow, senior lecturer and deputy director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, examining the many ways to examine the institution's relevance in the modern world.
https://talkinghumanities.blogs.sas.ac.uk/2018/04/09/crisis-crisis-commonwealths-cross-racial-character-makes-saner-world-ensures-relevance/
July 1st, 2018
This Month in Commonwealth History: July
July 1, 1965: The Commonwealth Secretariat is founded, with Canadian diplomat Arnold Smith as the first Secretary-General
July 8, 1964: The 13th Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference is held in London; the creation of the Commonwealth Secretariat and devotion to fighting racial inequality are discussed
July 16, 1970: The British Commonwealth Games open in Edinburgh; these Games are the first to use the metric system.
July 28, 1951: The 1st Commonwealth Division is created, amalgamating the British, Canadian, Indian, Australian, and New Zealand forces fighting in Korea
July 30, 1954: The newly renamed British Empire and Commonwealth Games open in Vancouver, British Columbia
July 4th, 2018
Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zambia are concluding negotiations on the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) of Professional Accountants and Auditors, one of many agreements being set up to ease movement of professionals and services between the five Commonwealth countries.
Is it time for other member nations to follow suit?
http://thecommonwealth.org/media/news/breakthrough-agreement-sight-trade-services
1st Post, July 5th, 2018
Time is running out! Canadian students and researchers wishing to pursue doctoral studies in New Zealand through the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan have until July 10, 2018 to apply.
Visit http://www.scholarships-bourses.gc.ca/…/2…/2018-07-04a.aspx…for more information.
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2nd Post, July 5th, 2018
Enjoy the latest issue of the Commonwealth Observer by RCS Manitoba chair Murray Burt.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cnI7JkrQbnua8s-8y3SC-f_vG-8O5m8YV7nqvdQWk-s/edit
July 7th, 2018
Join our Ottawa Branch on Saturday, August 11th for their annual Garden party on the Rideau, hosted by past chair Dr. Peter Meincke.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/rcs-ottawa-garden-party-on-the-rideau-tickets-47086787850
July 8th, 2018
The Canadian writer’s tale of love and conflict during the Second World War was named winner of the Golden Man Booker Prize for fiction at a ceremony in London on Sunday.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ondaatjes-the-english-patient-voted-best-man-booker-prize-winner-in-2/
1st Post, July 9th, 2018
Three Commonwealth countries (the UK from an Australian missile range, India, and New Zealand) have had successful orbital launches, with many more having developed space tech. Is it time for us to pool our resources?
https://arabiangazette.com/commonwealth-space-programme/
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2nd Post, July 9th, 2018
A reminder for followers in the Toronto area: our Toronto Branch's annual Commonwealth Garden Party and Luncheon is quickly approaching. Join our members on Sunday, August 12th for an afternoon with former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David Onley.
Details below!
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/commonwealth-garden-party-and-luncheon-tickets-46486396062
1st Post, July 11th, 2018
Decriminalization of homosexuality may be on the way in India, one of over 30 Commonwealth countries that currently have criminal penalties for gay or lesbian sex acts. However, the court does not yet appear to be interested in examining wider issues for the country's LGBT community.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/on-day-1-sc-sets-rapid-pace-for-hearing-on-section-377/articleshow/64938647.cms
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2nd Post, July 11th, 2018
Applications are open for The Round Table's Harry Hodson Prize. The Prize is awarded for a publishable article, contributed by anyone aged 30 years or younger as on December 31st of the year in which the article is submitted.
Click below to learn how you can get your paper published by a leading Commonwealth policy journal.
https://www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk/journal/harry-hodson-memorial-prize/
July 13th, 2018
Are you 18 to 29 and interested in helping global development through sport? A position with The Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Network is for you! Click below to learn how to be a volunteer committee member!
http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/social-development/sport-for-development-peace/application-for-the-commonwealth-youth-sport-for-development-and-peace-network-steering-committee-members/
July 14th, 2018
Newly-appointed Commonwealth Youth Ambassador Prince Harry and his wife the Duchess of Sussex were impressed by the many suggestions proposed by Commonwealth youth leaders at the recent training summit in London.
http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/social-development/education/youth-leaders-wow-royal-couple-with-their-ideas/
July 20th, 2018
RCS Toronto member and Queen's Young Leader Kevin Vuong is running in this year's municipal elections in Toronto for councillor for the city's Ward 20.
https://www.thestar.com/news/toronto-election/2018/07/18/political-veterans-and-rookies-square-off-in-ward-20.html
July 20th, 2018
So far, Australia, Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and St Lucia have joined the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Agreement, which aims to reduce plastic waste in our oceans. Will Canada follow suit?
https://www.plantbasednews.org/post/commonwealth-countries-join-forces-fight-ocean-plastic-pollution