Changes

[[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, 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^st major Commonwealth statement in 1971.[http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/20723/32987/singapore_declaration_of_commonwealth_principles/]

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^st 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;  

==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 organisation. From a colonial empire to a modern collective of free states the Commonwealth has mirrored the major political changes of the 20th Century.

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==