4. Commonwealth
“The Commonwealth is not an organisation with
a mission. It is rather an opportunity for its
people to work together to achieve practical
solutions to problems.”
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 2009
5. Commonwealth
Characteristics
• 2 billion people across the world
Large (eg India, Nigeria) Small (eg Kiribati,
Tuvalu, St Vincent) Rich (eg Canada, UK,
Australia) Poor (eg Malawi, Uganda)
• Half its people are aged 25 or less
6. New Zealand and Commonwealth
• NZ has always been a member
• NZ hosted CHOGM in 1995
• NZ hosted Commonwealth Games in 1950,
1974 and 1990
• NZ has supplied people for its leadership, for
example Sir Don McKinnon
7. Commonwealth Foundation
The objective of the Foundation is to strengthen
and mobilise civil society in support of
Commonwealth principles and priorities.
8. Commonwealth Foundation
The Foundation
• assists civil society organisations, professional
bodies and networks
• supports exchange between civil society bodies
• stimulates the flow of information between civil
society organisations
9. Commonwealth Foundation
Mission
To develop the capacity of civil society to act
together and learn from each other to engage
with institutions that shape people’s lives.
10. Commonwealth Foundation
Capacity Development
Locally driven processes by leaders and agents
of change that bring about changes in political
factors, policies and organisational
arrangements in order to achieve
development goals
