The document discusses the ongoing relevance and importance of the Commonwealth in 2013. It provides background on the Commonwealth, including its timeline from 1926 to present, definition as a voluntary organization of 54 countries, and characteristics such as its large population of over 2 billion people across rich and poor member states. It also outlines New Zealand's role and history with the Commonwealth, including hosting events. Finally, it describes the Commonwealth Foundation, its objective to strengthen civil society, how it assists organizations, and its mission to develop civil society capacity.

1. Ongoing Relevance and Importance
of the Commonwealth in 2013
Aorangi Club Auckland
Speech by
Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand
May 2013

2. Commonwealth
Timeline
• 1926 Imperial Conference
• 1949 London Declaration
• 1965 Commonwealth Secretariat
• 2013 Commonwealth Charter

3. Commonwealth
Definition
The voluntary organisation of 54 countries that
support each other and work together
towards shared goals in democracy and
development.

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