The commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a multilateral intergovernmental organization made up of countries with links to the United Kingdom of Great Britain, most of which are former colonies, including Canada. The Commonwealth, with over 53 independent states, comprises close to a third of the world's population.

It spans all continents and forms a bridge between races and religions and between rich and poor. It enables people to discuss their common problems frankly and to work together in finding solutions

The Commonwealth became a reality in 1931 when the independence of the dominions of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa was legally recognized in the Statute of Westminster. It began to take its modern form with the granting of independence to India in 1947. Two years later, India became a republic and the Commonwealth adapted itself to accept countries that owed no allegiance to the British Crown. Today, regardless of their form of government, all Commonwealth countries regard Queen Elizabeth II as a symbol of the association and, as such, Head of the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth has grown as former colonies in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Pacific were granted their independence and chose to remain members of the association.

Each Commonwealth member is free to follow its own policies, but all subscribe to a set of common ideals agreed to by Commonwealth heads of government in 1971. By adopting the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles, Commonwealth nations expressed their commitment to international peace and order, equal rights for all citizens and liberty of the individual. Member countries are also united in their opposition to colonial domination and racial oppression, and in their commitment to achieving a more equitable global society.

The Commonwealth Flag

Commonwealth Flag

The Commonwealth flag consists of the Commonwealth symbol in gold on a blue background. The symbol comprises a radial grating forming the letter "C" surrounding a circular solid on which are superimposed five latitudinal lines and five longitudinal lines to represent the globe. The Commonwealth Flag has no official status, but it is flown at the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London and at Commonwealth events and meetings.

Members of the Commonwealth

  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas, The
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Cyprus
  • Dominica
  • Fiji Islands[1]
  • Gambia, The
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • India
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nauru[2]
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan[3]
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Samoa
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St-Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Swaziland
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom
  • United Republic of Tanzania
  • Vanuatu
  • Zambia

Notes

  • [1] Fiji Islands was suspended in December 2009.
  • [2] Nauru is a in arrears Member.

(As of date of publication)

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