Difference between revisions of "Commonwealth of Nations"
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[[Image:Commonwealth.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Emblem of the Commonwealth of Nations]] | [[Image:Commonwealth.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Emblem of the Commonwealth of Nations]] | ||
| − | The <b>Commonwealth of Nations</b> is a free association of 53 mostly former British colonies. The '''Commonwealth''', as it is commonly known, brings together countries on every continent and encompasses nearly 2 billion citizens. The Commonwealth does not have a constitution | + | The <b>Commonwealth of Nations</b> is a free association of 53 mostly former [[British]] colonies. The '''Commonwealth''', as it is commonly known, brings together countries on every continent and encompasses nearly 2 billion citizens. The Commonwealth does not have a constitution; instead it is governed by a set of core beliefs, espoused by declarations or statements made at meetings of the Commonwealth. These fundamental beliefs are encapsulated by the 1<sup>st</sup> major Commonwealth statement in 1971.[http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/20723/32987/singapore_declaration_of_commonwealth_principles/] |
'''1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles.''' | '''1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles.''' | ||
*International peace and security; | *International peace and security; | ||
| − | *Democracy; | + | *[[Democracy]]; |
*Liberty of the individual and equal rights for all; | *Liberty of the individual and equal rights for all; | ||
*The importance of eradicating poverty, ignorance and disease; | *The importance of eradicating poverty, ignorance and disease; | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The Commonwealth was formerly known as the British Commonwealth and before that the [[British Empire]]. The evolution of its title has been indicative of the status of its members and the function of the | + | The Commonwealth was formerly known as the British Commonwealth and before that the [[British Empire]]. The evolution of its title has been indicative of the status of its members and the function of the organization. From a colonial empire to a modern collective of free states, the Commonwealth has mirrored the major political changes of the 20th Century. |
==Membership== | ==Membership== | ||
Revision as of 02:25, November 25, 2007
The Commonwealth of Nations is a free association of 53 mostly former British colonies. The Commonwealth, as it is commonly known, brings together countries on every continent and encompasses nearly 2 billion citizens. The Commonwealth does not have a constitution; instead it is governed by a set of core beliefs, espoused by declarations or statements made at meetings of the Commonwealth. These fundamental beliefs are encapsulated by the 1st major Commonwealth statement in 1971.[1]
1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles.
- International peace and security;
- Democracy;
- Liberty of the individual and equal rights for all;
- The importance of eradicating poverty, ignorance and disease;
- It opposes all forms of racial discrimination.
The activities of the Commonwealth as a whole are coordinated by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the main intergovernmental authority of the Commonwealth and is tasked to facilitate communication between member states.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) allows these nations to discuss common issues and to improve bi-lateral relations between member states. Synonymous with the Commonwealth is the Commonwealth Games, an event held every 4 years and similar in nature to the Olympics.
History
The Commonwealth was formerly known as the British Commonwealth and before that the British Empire. The evolution of its title has been indicative of the status of its members and the function of the organization. From a colonial empire to a modern collective of free states, the Commonwealth has mirrored the major political changes of the 20th Century.
Membership
The current membership of the Commonwealth includes: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji Islands*, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Zambia,
* Fiji’s military regime was suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth on 8th Dec 2006