Challenges To The Modern Commonwealth

London, UK, Nov 13, 2007 – Commonwealth Finance Ministers first proposed bilateral debt relief in 1987. A generation later this idea has led to an estimated $100 billion of debt relief raised for around 30 of the world's poorest countries.

This and many other projects were used as examples of the relevance and impact of the "modern Commonwealth" by Secretary-General Don McKinnon for the London School of Economics on 12 November 2007.*

In his speech, Mr. McKinnon addressed the myths that continue to surround the Commonwealth as well as discussing the main challenges facing the 53 member countries in the 21st century.

There are three main misperceptions which Mr. McKinnon sought to dispel: the " British Commonwealth," the image of the Commonwealth as a "talking shop with no teeth," and the Commonwealth Games as the only recognized event which unites the member states.

"The British Commonwealth died in 1949, with India's independence and a new union of what were defined as 'freely and equally associated states,'" said Mr. McKinnon.

He highlighted Mozambique, a country with no colonial links to Britain that joined the Commonwealth in 1995, as an example of how the association emerged from history, but is now united by shared values and goals.

In response to suggestions that the Commonwealth lacks power, the Secretary-General asserted that the "[Commonwealth's] teeth are sharp enough to suspend members, and hard-wearing enough to grind away until we achieve the change and standards we're looking for."

Mr. McKinnon also acknowledged the visibility of the Commonwealth Games, adding that the Federation which promotes the 'Friendly Games' is one of nearly 90 organizations and associations which "make up the very special network that is the Commonwealth."

The Secretary-General then turned to the challenges facing the "modern Commonwealth" today.

He argued that staying true to the Commonwealth's values; responsive to what members want; inclusive "for the people who need us most" and open to new members and partners are necessary if the Commonwealth is to remain both "relevant and credible."

In 1971 and 1991 the Commonwealth committed itself to "the fundamental values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law" with "groundbreaking" Declarations. Then, in 1995, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) was developed, which "has the power to suspend or even recommend the expulsion of members who flout the rules."

This Group immediately suspended Nigeria when Ken Saro-Wiwa and ten others were executed. "No other international organization - even the UN - has teeth as sharp as that," said Mr. McKinnon. He also noted that Nigeria was then readmitted in 1999, demonstrating that even after a suspension, the Commonwealth works with a country to directly address areas of concern where "fundamental values" have been ignored.

At an emergency meeting held last night at the Secretariat's headquarters, CMAG "condemned the abrogation of the Constitution of Pakistan." In his speech, the Secretary-General explained that when the Group meets again in Kampala on 22 November, it will suspend Pakistan "if it decides that a series of necessary measures - which it has asked of Pakistan - have not been implemented."

In order to stay "responsive," Mr. McKinnon said that the Commonwealth must continue to address current challenges facing member states.

The Secretary-General said that the effects of climate change are being felt across the Commonwealth. "We see its effects: like shrinking rainforests, exacerbated by unsustainable logging practices; like a thawing of the tundra in northern Canada."

These are among many examples which prompted Commonwealth Environment Ministers to agree a new strategy to fight this "potential disaster" that is now a "global challenge" when they met in Nairobi in February 2007

Over the last five years, the Commonwealth has developed Recruitment Protocols that address problems faced by doctors, nurses and teachers in developing countries who migrate to the developed world. Since it was first adopted by Commonwealth Ministers of Education in September 2004, the Commonwealth's Teacher Recruitment Protocol has had a positive effect both in terms of migration and recruitment.

Despite these efforts, there are currently 70 million children in Commonwealth countries who do not go to school and 150 million who are unemployed. These children, as well as women, minority groups and social outcasts are "those who need [the Commonwealth] most." The Secretary-General said that it is necessary for the Commonwealth to "keep up our work" and remain "inclusive" to these citizens.

As well as remaining "inclusive," the Secretary-General argued that the Commonwealth should remain "open" to new members and partners.

"At various times and in various ways, we have had expressions of interest from Yemen, Algeria, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Rwanda and Sudan, as well as the old British Somaliland and various dependent territories."

Mr. McKinnon added that the Commonwealth must "continue to build alliances" and see our ideas and expertise "taken up and used by, for instance, the World Bank on Small States [and] the World Health Organization on migrating doctors and nurses."

It is by addressing these four key areas -- staying true, responsive, inclusive and open -- that the Secretary-General argued the Commonwealth will remain relevant, credible and continue to have an impact in the 21st century.

"It is these factors - and these alone - that will ensure that we are still here in 50 years time, in 100 years time."

* In the event, at the last minute Mr. McKinnon was unable to deliver the lecture, with Matthew Neuhaus, Director of the Political Affairs Division at the Commonwealth Secretariat, standing in for him

Source: Commonwealth News and Information Service

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives | Search