tory, ur S O Our Wo rld Our Commonwealth The story of 54 countries Hello, did you know that about 30% of the world’s people live in the Commonwealth? That’s nearly 2.5 The people of the Commonwealth billion adults and children! are a diverse group. Some live on very small islands like Nauru in the Pacific, and some live in big countries like India in Asia. Introducing the The Commonwealth Commonwealth is a vibrant family of 54 countries spread Commonwealth across every continent people work together and ocean. All countries in the by sharing ideas and Commonwealth are experiences, skills and knowledge. independent and It is about friendship equal nations. and respect between individuals and nations. 1 Commonwealth values The Commonwealth believes people have The Commonwealth rights, such as the stands against right to education intolerance, prejudice and healthcare. and racism. The Commonwealth regards girls and boys as equally important and aims to improve the lives of young men and women. The Commonwealth promotes democracy and believes everyone should be free to choose their leaders. 2 The Commonwealth story In the beginning… The Commonwealth was born out of the British Empire, which at one time included The early years countries in Asia, Africa, the Pacific, the Caribbean and the Americas. In 1931 it was called the British Commonwealth of Nations, but in 1949 leaders decided to transform it into an organisation of ‘free and equal members’, and the modern Commonwealth was created. The Commonwealth Ghana became a member in Secretariat encourages 1957. It was the first of many members to get together African countries to join the to talk about their Commonwealth as independent concerns and ideas. nations in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1961 South Africa left the Marlborough House Commonwealth because of its policy of segregating white and black In 1965 the Commonwealth people. Commonwealth leaders Secretariat was created. It is supported the struggle against white based in Marlborough House in minority rule. London to promote shared values across member countries. 3 The 90s and beyond Many other countries, big and small, from all parts of the globe and with different In 1994 South Africa cultures, languages and faiths are now returned to the Commonwealth part of the Commonwealth. In 2020, as a multi-racial and democratic Maldives re-joined the Commonwealth. country, under the leadership of Nelson Mandela. The Secretariat is led In the 1990s countries like by Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, Namibia, Cameroon and the first woman Mozambique, which were Although the Commonwealth Secretariat is based in the to hold the post. never part of the British Empire, UK, people who work there also joined. come from all parts of the Commonwealth. ? W O N K U About 60% of the people in the O The Head of the Commonwealth are Y Commonwealth is Queen under 30 years old. The Elizabeth II. She is also Head of Commonwealth Youth State for 16 Commonwealth Council helps young D member countries. Other people to work together I countries are republics or and share their ideas with have their own monarch. decision makers. D 4 Diversity and unity Hundreds of languages are in the Commonwealth represented in this community of 54 countries. The people of the Commonwealth are from many races and religions. Some large countries like Australia, which has a population of more than 24 million, are sparsely populated. Some smaller countries like Bangladesh, where over 160 million people live, are very densely populated. Commonwealth countries 32 Commonwealth also have many things in countries are ‘small states’ – common. Most use the usually with populations of English language, have less than 1.5 million. similar laws and support democracy as a form of government. 5 Helping The Commonwealth Secretariat gives small Commonwealth countries countries the opportunity to make contributions to global meetings and conversations The Commonwealth has about big issues like the many programmes that world economy and trade. assist member countries. It makes special efforts to improve education for all, and to support women and young For example, the people to start and run their Commonwealth Secretariat own businesses. It also helps helps countries look for to improve health services. solutions to economic and environmental problems. This includes climate change, which causes rising sea levels, violent storms and In 2020, widespread devastation. Commonwealth leaders will meet in Kigali, the capital Every two years, of Rwanda. Commonwealth Heads The Commonwealth also of Government meet to encourages member discuss shared challenges countries to care about and suggest possible human rights, which means solutions. ensuring that people are treated fairly and enjoy basic freedoms. 6 A Commonwealth From children having fun with their friends to serious athletes training to set new world records, the people of connected by sport the Commonwealth love sports. The Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s The Games include athletics, Baton Relay is the longest and most swimming, rugby sevens, accessible in history, travelling netball and lawn bowls. They through the entire Commonwealth for They are held every 388 days and 230,000 kilometres. The Commonwealth have Para-Sports events for elite four years. The very Games are called the athletes with a disability. first Games were in ‘Friendly Games’ because A baton carrying a Hamilton, Canada in special message from they use sports to bring But there can be lots of other 1930. 400 athletes Queen Elizabeth ll visits people across the globe sports too, like boxing, cycling, attended. every nation and territory together. gymnastics, badminton, of the Commonwealth. triathlon and wrestling. 7 Getting involved The Commonwealth’s Sport for Development and Peace programme shows countries how sports can be Children and young Clyde, the popular used to promote healthier lives and people right across the mascot for the 2014 teach young people tolerance. Commonwealth can Games, was designed by also get involved in 12-year-old Beth Gilmour the Games! from Scotland. Over 6,600 athletes and team officials from 71 nations and territories made history over 11 unforgettable days of world class sporting action. ? W Here are some other O cool sporting facts about In July 2017, around 1,300 N athletes from 70 nations and Commonwealth The Youth Games territories competed in the K Countries. largest ever Commonwealth were started in 2000 The fastest man in the world comes from Youth Games in The Bahamas, and are for athletes U the Commonwealth. in the Caribbean. from 14 to 18 years old. Former sprinter Usain Bolt from Jamaica O is the current world record holder in the men’s 100m dash, clocking 9.58 seconds in Y 2009. At the 2015 World Championships in Beijing he clocked 9.79 seconds. D Australia has won the Cricket World Cup I five times. The West Indies and India have both won twice. D 8 Commonwealth Day Commonwealth Day is the second Monday of March every year. The theme for the 2020 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), for Commonwealth Day Commonwealth Day is a It is also a great opportunity and for the work of the time for our 2.4 billion- for the Commonwealth to talk Commonwealth more strong family to celebrate The next about some of the important generally is ‘Delivering diversity, strengthen their Commonwealth values in its charter, like a Common Future: friendships, and recognise theme will run for democracy, human rights Connecting, Innovating, the achievements of the two years 2020-21. and development. Transforming’. Commonwealth. 9 In London, Queen Elizabeth II attends a A time to celebrate special multi-cultural, multi-faith event at Westminster Abbey, with performances from choirs, dancers and musicians. Schools, communities and governments around the Commonwealth celebrate Commonwealth Day in a variety of ways. There are street parties, poetry performances, storytelling festivals, fashion shows, flag ceremonies, and sports, dance and music events. Special messages based on the theme for that year are issued by The Queen and Commonwealth Day the Commonwealth themes have covered Secretary-General. many areas of the Commonwealth’s work. Previous themes include ‘Towards a Common Future’ in 2018 and ‘A Connected Commonwealth’ in 2019. 10 Activities Why not create your own special Have a public speaking project? Maybe have a fashion parade competition on the showing the national dresses of importance of people different Commonwealth countries. from different countries working together. Use the internet or books from the library to Pretend you are a research different cultures Draw and paint the Write a story about journalist and write a in the Commonwealth and flags of the 54 member your own country and news story about the make a poster to present countries and display how it became part of Commonwealth, based to your class. them around your the Commonwealth. on the information in classroom. this book. 11 What have you learnt? 1 What percentage of the world’s population live in the Commonwealth? 2 How many athletes attended the first Commonwealth Games? 3 When is Commonwealth Day? 4 Why are the Commonwealth Games called the ‘Friendly Games’? 5 How many countries are in the Commonwealth? 6 What was the Commonwealth called in 1931? 7 Which country re-joined the Commonwealth in 1994? 8 Where is the Commonwealth Secretariat based? 9 Where will the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2020 be held? 10 Who is the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth? 10 8 6 Patricia Scotland Patricia Kigali London in House Marlborough Africa South Nations of Commonwealth British The 9 7 2 1 4 54 together globe the across people bring to sports uses It March in Monday second The 400 30% About 5 3 Quiz answers Quiz 12 Member countries Member Country Capital Member Country Capital 10 1.