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History of the Commonwealth
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History of the Commonwealth

History of the Commonwealth

Overview of the Commonwealth

  • The Commonwealth is a voluntary association comprising 56 independent countries, representing 2.5 billion people, focused on prosperity, democracy, and peace.
  • It is one of the oldest political associations in the world, with a legacy spanning over 70 years.

Formation and Development

  • The modern Commonwealth was established in 1949 by leaders from Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom who agreed to terms for their voluntary association as free and equal members.
  • The Commonwealth Secretariat was founded in 1965 at Marlborough House in London to promote shared values such as development, democracy, and peace among member nations.

Shared Values and Membership Expansion

  • At the first Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 1971, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to shared values that have evolved over time.
  • Countries like Namibia, Cameroon, and Mozambique joined the Commonwealth despite not being part of the British Empire; South Africa rejoined under Nelson Mandela after leaving due to opposition against apartheid policies.

The Commonwealth Charter

  • In 2013, Queen Elizabeth II signed the Commonwealth Charter which encapsulates core values including democracy, human rights, and rule of law that unite member states.
  • Togo and Gabon are noted as recent additions to this diverse group of nations within the Commonwealth framework.
Video description

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. It is home to 2.7 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of our members are small states, including many island nations. Our member governments have agreed to shared goals like development, democracy and peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter. The Commonwealth's roots go back to the British Empire. But today any country can join the modern Commonwealth.