11.04.

2016

The Commonwealth of Nations

 The Commonwealth: - Intergovernmental organization

53 member states of former british colonies
- Queen Elizabeth II. as the head of the Commonwealth
- Combined area: 30.000.000 km²
- Population: 2.2 billion
- Official language: English

 History: - The British Empire starts to decolonize

- 1867 confederation of Canada
- 1926 Balfour Declaration & 1931 Statute of Westminster
 Dominions are “equal in status [and] united by common allegiance to the crown.“
- London Declaration 28th April 1949  The “modern“ Commonwealth

 Organizations: 1. Commonwealth Secretariat – supporting member states

2. Commonwealth Foundation – supporting civil society
3. Commonwealth of Learning – promoting distance learning and education
4. Commonwealth Games Federation – promoting sports development

 The Charter of the Commonwealth: 1. Democracy

2. Human rights
3. International peace and security
4. Tolerance, respect and understanding
5. Freedom of Expression
6. Separation of Powers
7. Rule of Law
8. Good Governance
9. Sustainable Development
10. Protecting the Environment
11. Access to Health, Education, Food and Shelter
12. Gender Equality
13. Importance of Young People in the
Commonwealth
14. Recognition of the Needs of Small States
15. Recognition of the Needs of Vulnerable States
16. The Role of Civil Society

 The Commonwealth Games: -Member states, exclusively, can participate

-Every 4 years
-All common types of athletics

 Sources: http://thecommonwealth.org/member-countries
http://thecommonwealth.org/about-us
http://thecommonwealth.org/our-charter
http://thecommonwealth.org/library-and-archives
http://www.commonwealthofnations.org/commonwealth/history/
http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/warsinnorthamerica/a/britainARWconseq.htm
http://thecommonwealth.org/fastfacts
http://thecommonwealth.org/sites/default/files/inline/Fast%20Facts%20on%20the
%20Commonwealth%20-%201%20April%202016_3.pdf
http://thecommonwealth.org/marlborough-house