THE COMMONWEATH
The Commonwealth is an organisation of 54 independent member states.
Commonwealth is a free association of about 50 independent states.
o no written law
o no elected parliament
o no supreme body
o The Queen of the UK – the head of Commonwealth
o big British influence on education, law, parliamentary procedures
ORIGINS
o 1839 – report on discontent in the Canadian colonies
o 1850’s – the system of responsible government (Britain was afraid of Canadian who wanted to be independent like States)
o After I World War – The British Commonwealth
o 1931 Statue of Westminster
o Australia
o New Zealand
o South Africa
o The Irish Free State
o After II World War – The Commonwealth of Nations
o 1947 India and Pakistan became independent
o colonies that did not join: Burma, Yemen, Cameroon
o colonies that joined, then left: Rhodesia, Pakistan, South Africa, Ireland
o 2009 – the last entry: Rwanda
o Now about 50
COMMONWEALTH COUNTIRES
o kingdoms: Malaysia, Tonga, Brunei, Lesotho
o republics: India, Ghana, Malta, Cyprus
o dominions: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica
THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT
o based in London
o staffed by people from all countries
o cost paid by members governments – contribution on the basis of income and population
o the UK – 30%
o Canada – 18%
o Australia – 8%
o promotes consultation, distribution of information
o organises meeting, conference, training courses
o is located in Marlborough House in London
o Commonwealth Games:
o the third largest international sport event in the world
o organized every 4 years
COMMONWEALTH FUNDATION
o intergovernmental organisation
o support development of professional organisation
Commonwealth Business Council
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