The Commonwealth - News
About The Commonwealth - Fast Facts
The Commonwealth is made up of 52 independent countries that work together to pursue common goals which promote development, democracy, and peace. Our combined population of 2.2 billion is almost a third of the global population.
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Trade between Commonwealth countries is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2020.
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Half of the top 20 global emerging cities are in the Commonwealth.
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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.
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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.
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Five of the best performing 15 countries in the Youth Development Index are Commonwealth members.
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Since 1991, 12 Commonwealth member countries have moved to multi-party democracy from military or one-party rule.
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The Commonwealth Charter
Recognising that in an era of changing economic circumstances and uncertainty, new trade and economic patterns, unprecedented threats to peace and security, and a surge in popular demands for democracy, human rights and broadened economic opportunities, the potential of and need for the Commonwealth – as a compelling force for good and as an effective network for co-operation and for promoting development – has never been greater.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent and equal sovereign states, each responsible for its own policies, consulting and co-operating in the common interests of our peoples and in the promotion of international understanding and world peace, and influencing international society to the benefit of all through the pursuit of common principles and values.
The Commonwealth way is to seek consensus through consultation and the sharing of experience, especially through practical
co-operation, and as a result is uniquely placed to serve as a model and as a catalyst for new forms of friendship and co-operation.
A key role of the Commonwealth is as a recognised intergovernmental champion of small states, advocating for their special needs; providing policy advice on political, economic and social development issues; and delivering technical assistance.
Useful Links
The Commonwealth Secretariat
Web Site: http://thecommonwealth.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commonwealthsec
Twitter: @commonwealthsec
The Commonwealth Foundation
Web Site: https://www.facebook.com/RCSOttawa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commonwealthfoundation1
Twitter: @commonwealthorg
The Commonwealth of Learning (based in Canada)
Web Site: https://www.col.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COL4D
Twitter: @COL4D
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Web Site: http://www.cpahq.org/cpahq/
Web Site: Canadian Branch
http://www.parl.gc.ca/IIA/Association.aspx?DCId=4&DTId=6&Langu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Commonwealth-Parliamentary-Association-Secretariat/338403582863348
Twitter: @CPA_Secretariat
The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme
Web Site: https://www.queensyoungleaders.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queensyoungleaders/
Twitter: @QueensLeaders
The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (on forest conservation)
Web Site: http://queenscommonwealthcanopy.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queenscanopy
Twitter: @QueensCanopy
The Commonwealth Games (Canadian page)
Web Site: http://www.commonwealthgames.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeux-du-Commonwealth-Games-Canada/265526150138420
Twitter: @cgc_jcc
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Canadian Agency
Web Site: http://www.cwgc-canadianagency.ca/
The Commonwealth Writers’ Prize
Web Site: http://www.commonwealthwriters.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthWriters
Twitter: @cwwriters