ABSTRACT

Organisations, a group of people or other legal entities with an explicit purpose and written rules.
International- having to do with more than one nation.
International organisation is more than one nation coming together for a specific purpose. In the
present world, there are a number of international organisations, some include the United
Nations, ECOWAS (Economic community of West African states), and the commonwealth is an
international organisation known to have evolved in the United Kingdom with peace as its main
purpose.
The assignment is carried out as a research seminar to be submitted to Dr Asuk commenced on
Wednesday 4th, august 2021. The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 54
countries.
Some or all rhetorical question of the student will be explained by the student and explanation in
detail will be given in the topic.
1.1 Background to the study.
The research was aimed at gaining credibility for the course, International institutions and
organization, HDS 821.1 to be submitted and reviewed by the lecture Dr. Charles Asuk. The
Commonwealth of Nations is among the world’s oldest political association of states.
Founded by the British Empire, primarily and basically for the countries which had gained
independence from the British colonial rule, it is also essential to note, semi-independent
countries were called dominions.
The Commonwealth of Nations was founded by the Parliament of the United Kingdom on
11th December 1931, by 2020, there were 54 countries in the commonwealth, independent
and brought together for the promotion of prosperity, Peace, democracy, to protect the
government and amplify the voice of all states.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In this historical research, the charter of the commonwealth will be reviewed- a
document of the values and aspirations which unites the commonwealth signed by her
majesty
Elizabeth II, Head of the commonwealth. The 2013 charter includes: Democracy- The
role of the commonwealth ministerial action group to address promptly and effectively
all instances of serious or persistent violations of commonwealth values without any fear
or favour.
Human Rights- opposition to all forms of discrimination whether rooted in gender, race,
colour, creed political belief or other grounds. International peace and security- their
commitment to work under the United Nations.
The commonwealth heads of government adopted the charter of the commonwealth on
14 December 2012.
The commonwealth charter is a document of the values and aspirations which unites the
commonwealth.
The research will examine the intergovernmental organisations which are numbered
three (3): The commonwealth secretariat, the commonwealth foundation and the
commonwealth of learning.
To be submitted to Dr. Charles Asuk, the Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary
association of 54 independent and equal countries. Some or all information about the
commonwealth will be delivered by the student in detail.
1.3 AIM and OBJECTIVES of the STUDY: The general purpose of the study is fixated on
an international organisation, with the aim of the organization and meaning of international
organisations as defined in the abstract. The objectives of the study will give the reader and the
writer, the answer the question, “what is the purpose of the commonwealth?
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: The study is expected to broaden the student’s area
of knowledge as to the benefits of the commonwealth, the study should shed more light as to the
rumour after 2012, has Nigeria dunked out of the commonwealth?
1.5 DEFINITION OF TERM: The commonwealth of nations according to Britannica
encyclopaedia was formerly British Commonwealth of Nations, a free association of sovereign
states comprising the United Kingdom and a host of other sovereign states known to be colonies
of the United Kingdom, dependencies of Britain, chosen to maintain ties of friendship, practical
cooperation and acknowledge the British monarch as their symbolic head of association.
 CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background to the study
a) HDS 821.1/ Dr. Charles Asuk- International institutions and organisations.
b) Britannica encyclopaedia/the Commonwealth of Nations.
c) Commonwealth/commonwealth charter, title page,3,8
d) History of the commonwealth.
The commonwealth/about us

1.2 Statement of the problem

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the study
1.4 Significance of the study
1.5 Definition of Term
CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE
3.1 Britannica/the Commonwealth of Nations
3.2 HDS 821.1/ Dr. Charles Asuk- International institutions and organisations.
3.3 Britannica encyclopaedia/the Commonwealth of Nations.
3.4 Commonwealth/commonwealth charter, title page,3,8
History of the commonwealth.
The commonwealth/about us

CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Britannica/commonwealth/history/members
(a) Commonwealth/association of states
(b) Commonwealth history timeline
(c) Commonwealth
CHAPTER FIVE
 SUMMARY (PRESENTATION)
CONCLUSION

CHAPTER THREE
THE COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS.
The Commonwealth of Nations is one of the world’s oldest political association
of states. Founded by the British Empire primarily for the countries which had
gained independence from Great Britain, it is also essential to note semi-
independent countries were called Dominions.
The Commonwealth of Nations was founded by the British Empire, the Parliament
of the United Kingdom on 11th December 1931, as at 2020, there were 54 countries
in the commonwealth, all independent and brought together for the promotion of
prosperity, Peace, democracy, protect the government and amplify the voice of
small states.
A goal of the commonwealth can be reviewed in its charter- a document of the
values and aspirations which unites the commonwealth. The commonwealth charter
signed by her majesty Elizabeth II, head of the commonwealth 2013 includes:
Democracy- the role of the commonwealth ministerial action group to address
promptly and effectively all instances of serious or persistent violations of
commonwealth values without any fear or favour. Human Rights- opposition to all
forms of discrimination whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political
belief or other grounds. International peace and security- ascertains their
commitment to work under the United Nations.
The commonwealth heads of government adopted the charter of the
Commonwealth on 14 December, 2012. The commonwealth charter is a document
of the values and aspirations which unite the commonwealth.
3.1 Research Design: university of Port-Harcourt faculty of humanities library- the
commonwealth summit, internet, internet libraries, and Taylor and Francis e-books.
3.2 Study Area: Rivers state, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. The internet was mostly
consulted for the seminar project with visits to the university of Port-Harcourt
library, the student could not notice any form of commonwealth activity in her
surrounding, maybe she did but it’s forgotten. However, activities carried out by the
commonwealth can be found on the internet.
3.3 Population for the study: There is no certain population for the study. Members
of the commonwealth will guarantee a population.
 CHAPTER FOUR (4)
THE COMMONWEALTH (cont’d)
The Commonwealth of Nations was formerly called British Commonwealth of Nations, known
to have been in existence from 1931-1949, the encyclopaedia Britannica informs that the
commonwealth is a free association of sovereign states comprising of the United Kingdom and a
number of its former dependencies who have chosen to maintain ties of friendship, practical
cooperation and acknowledge the British monarch as their symbolic head of association.
After the promulgation of the statue of Westminster, membership in the commonwealth came
on condition of allegiance to the British monarch, due to the rapid growth of nationalism in the
1920s from other parts of the British Empire. Great Britain had to reconsider the nature of the
commonwealth, the case of India had to its own degree its own foreign policy but still wanted to
be a part of the commonwealth.
Due to the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, they became members of the
commonwealth. 1949 saw the withdrawal of India due to its intention to become a republic. It
was noted that India was granted access to the commonwealth but on condition that the British
crown was accepted as the symbol of free association of commonwealth members.
The online encyclopaedia gave a list if the commonwealth countries and their year of
membership. They include United Kingdom (1931), Pakistan (left in 1972 but re-joined 1989),
India (1947), and Nigeria (1960).
The British commonwealth were different countries of the British Empire, conference evolved
among the British dominions from 1887.
The imperial conference of 1926 made agreement that they were all equal members of a
community within the British Empire, they owed allegiance to the British monarch but the
United Kingdom did not rule over them. It was called the British commonwealth of nations.
By 1949, dominions of the British Commonwealth had gradually gained independence and it
was declared the republics and other countries could be part of the commonwealth. The modern
Commonwealth of Nations was born.
King George VI was the first head of the commonwealth followed by Queen Elizabeth II after
his death. The British monarch is not automatically the head of commonwealth, member
countries choose who the head of commonwealth becomes.
 The last two countries to join the commonwealth- Rwanda and Mozambique, have no
historical ties with the British Empire. The commonwealth secretariat was created in 1965 as a
central intergovernmental organisation to manage the commonwealth work.
COMMONWEALTH HISTORY TIMELINE
Presently, membership is based on free and voluntary cooperation.
1884- Lord Rosebury called the British Empire a commonwealth of nations on his visit to
Australia also marked him as a British Prime Minister.
1887- Marked the first colonial conference between Britain and its colonies.
1926- The British prime ministers and leaders of dominions organized a meeting to discuss vital
issues (constitutional, foreign affairs, defence and trade), 1926 imperial conference, the United
Kingdom and its dominions agreed equality in status.
1930- Held the first commonwealth games in Grenada, Canada.
1931- Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa joined the commonwealth after the
statute of Westminster gives legal status, they were also recognised as independent.
1947- Pakistan becomes the 7th country to join the commonwealth with India becoming the 6th.
1949-marked the first meeting of commonwealth ministers, 21st July, 1949 also the beginning of
the modern commonwealth.
1959- 15-28 July 1959, marked the first commonwealth education conference at oxford United
Kingdom, it was recognised “the great importance of education, training as an indispensable
condition of development.”
An article on commonwealth and the country Nigeria, begins by writing the plea for their
lives (Kenule Saro-Wiwa and eight other activists), Nigeria was suspended from the
commonwealth at 1995 commonwealth summit, there was mounting international anger and
pressure for sanctions, however the Nigerian government escaped with its intransigence
unchecked.
Nigeria is a member of the commonwealth clean ocean alliance and Mangrove ecosystems
and livelihood action groups.
The commonwealth helps member countries protect their environments and use their natural
resources sustainably. The commonwealth games of 2014, Nigerian medals: Gold 61, Silver 66,
Bronze 85.

The commonwealth has updates on the Nigerian news titled villa daily.
CHAPTER 5
Presentation
The Commonwealth of Nations was formerly called British Commonwealth of nations.
Known to have existed from 1931-1949, Britannica informs that the commonwealth is a free
association of sovereign states comprising of the United Kingdom and a host of former
dependencies colonised by Britain who have chosen to maintain ties of friendship, practical co-
operation and who acknowledge the British monarch as their symbolic head of government.
After the promulgation of the statute of Westminster, membership in the commonwealth came
on condition of allegiance to the British monarch, due to the rapid growth of nationalism in the
1920s from other parts of the British Empire (colonies). Britain had to reconsider the nature of
the commonwealth, the case of India to its own degree was well developed even had its own
foreign policy.
Due to the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, they became members of the
commonwealth in 1949, India withdrew from the commonwealth due to its intention to become a
republic.
It was noted that India was granted access to the commonwealth but on the condition that the
British crown was accepted as the symbol of free association of commonwealth members.
The online encyclopaedia Britannica, gave a list of the commonwealth countries and their year
of membership, some include: United Kingdom (1931), Pakistan (left in 1972 re-joined 1989),
Nigeria (1960), India (1947). For more countries and their year of membership, Britannica-
Commonwealth-Association of states.
The British commonwealth include different dominions of the British Empire, conferences
among the British dominions began in 1887.

The imperial conference of 1926 made agreement that they were all equal members of a
community within the British Empire, they owed allegiance to the British monarch but the
United Kingdom did not rule over them, this was called the British commonwealth of nations.
1949, the modern commonwealth was born.
King George VI was the first head of the Commonwealth of Nations followed by Queen
Elizabeth II after his death. The British monarch is not automatically the head of the
commonwealth.
The last two countries to join the family were Rwanda and Mozambique, have no historical ties
with the British Empire. The commonwealth secretariat was created in 1965 as a central
intergovernmental organisation to manage the commonwealth work.

COMMONWEALTH HISTORY TIMELINE

Presently, membership is based on free and voluntary co-operation.
1884- Lord Rosebury called the British Empire a commonwealth of nations on a visit to
Australia.
1887- Marked the first colonial conference between Britain and its colonies.
1926- The British prime ministers and leaders of the commonwealth organized a meeting to
discuss vial issues (constitutional, foreign affairs, defence and trade), the imperial conference of
1926 agreed on equality in status.
1930- The first commonwealth games in Grenada, Canada.
1931- Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa joined the commonwealth.
1947- Pakistan becomes the 7th country to join the commonwealth, with India becoming the 6th.
1949- Marked the first meeting of commonwealth ministers, 21st July, 1949.
1959-15-28 July 1959 marked the first commonwealth education conference at Oxford. United
Kingdom, it was recognised “the great importance of education, training as an indispensable
condition of development”.
The article on commonwealth in Nigeria begins by writing the plea for their lives, Ken Saro-
Wiwa and eight other activists, Nigeria was however suspended from the commonwealth at the
1995 commonwealth summit, there was mounting international anger and pressure for sanctions,
the Nigerian government escaped with its intransigence unchecked.
Nigeria is a member of the commonwealth clean ocean alliance and mangrove ecosystems and
livelihood action groups.
The commonwealth helps member countries protect their environments and use their natural
resources sustainably. The commonwealth games of 2014, Nigerian medals include: Gold-61,
silver-66, bronze-85. Its updates on the Nigerian news is titled Villa Daily.
Rwanda and Mozambique were the last two known countries to join the commonwealth.
5.2 SUMMARY: The seminar project, the commonwealth of nations is known to be
headquartered in the United Kingdom, also known to be one of the oldest international
organizations in the world, the seminar project reviewed the charter of the commonwealth 2013,
the first head of the commonwealth was also noted, the organization originally started as the
British commonwealth of nations and later the commonwealth of nations.
5.3 CONCLUSION: the Commonwealth of nations was founded by the parliament of the
united kingdom on 14th December, 1931. Before then it was called the British commonwealth of
nations, leaders of dominions (semi-independent states) and the United Kingdom had meeting,
charter either yearly or not. The Commonwealth of Nations has sanctions for a nation for
reasons.