Translation & Interpreting English Language and Culture

The Commonwealth

Commonwealth, also called Commonwealth of Nations, formerly (1931–49) British

Commonwealth of Nations, a free association of sovereign states comprising the United
Kingdom and a number of its former dependencies who have chosen to maintain ties of friendship and
practical cooperation and who acknowledge the British monarch as symbolic head of their association.
In 1965 the Commonwealth Secretariat was established in London to organize and coordinate
Commonwealth activities.

Historically, the Commonwealth was an evolutionary outgrowth of the British Empire. The traditional
British policy of allowing considerable self-government in its colonies led to the existence by the 19th
century of several dependent states that were populated to a significant degree by Europeans
accustomed to forms of parliamentary rule and that possessed large measures of sovereignty. By
1931 they were recognized as having special status within the empire by the Statute of Westminster,
which referred specifically to a “British Commonwealth of Nations.” The rapid growth of nationalism in
other parts of the empire from the 1920s produced a long series of grants of independence, beginning
with that to India in 1947, and required a redefinition of the Commonwealth. In 1947 India
and Pakistan became members of the Commonwealth, the first with chiefly non-European
populations. In 1948 Burma (Myanmar) became independent and rejected membership. In 1949 India
announced its intention to become a republic, which would have required its withdrawal from the
Commonwealth under the existing rules, but at a meeting of Commonwealth heads of government in
London in April 1949 it was agreed that India could continue its membership if it accepted the British
crown as only “the symbol of the free association” of Commonwealth members. That declaration was
the first to drop the adjective British, and thereafter the official name of the organization became the
Commonwealth of Nations, or simply the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth was also beset by
other difficulties, some members opting to withdraw from the organization, as did Ireland (1949), South
Africa (1961), and Pakistan (1972), though both South Africa and Pakistan eventually rejoined (the
former in 1994 and the latter in 1989). Commonwealth membership grew dramatically in the second
half of the 20th century as former dependencies attained sovereignty. Most of the dependent states
granted independence chose Commonwealth membership, and the organization has even grown to
include Mozambique (joined 1995), which was the first country granted entry that was never part of the
British Empire or under the control of any member.

The Commonwealth differs from other international bodies. It has no formal constitution or bylaws. The
members have no legal or formal obligation to one another; they are held together by shared
traditions, institutions, and experiences as well as by economic self-interest. Commonwealth action is
based upon consultation between members, which is conducted through correspondence and through

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conversations in meetings. Each member country sends an emissary, called a high commissioner, to
the capitals of the other members. A Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is held every two
years. At the meeting in Singapore in 1971, members adopted a declaration that restated the
Commonwealth’s voluntary and cooperative nature and committed the organization to promoting
international peace, fighting racism, opposing colonial domination, and reducing inequities in wealth.
This declaration was echoed at the meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1991, when leaders further
committed the organization to human rights and democracy.

Britain has huge overseas investments, both government and private, in the Commonwealth. When
Britain joined the European Economic Community (later succeeded by the European Union [EU]) in
1973, the trade privileges of member countries began to be reduced. Now Commonwealth members
have trade agreements with the EU. Many of the exports of Commonwealth countries go to other
member countries. In 1996 the Commonwealth Africa Investment Fund was established to increase
investment in that continent. There are also significant educational links between members, as many
British teachers travel overseas and many students from Commonwealth members study in Britain.
Other cultural links include the Commonwealth Games, a sporting competition held every four years.

In addition to independent members, the Commonwealth also comprises dependent territories, which
are formally governed by the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand. Most of the older
dependencies are colonies. Dependencies include Anguilla, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands,
the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, and the Turks and Caicos Islands (United Kingdom); Christmas Island,
the Cocos Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, and Norfolk Island(Australia); and Niue and Tokelau (New
Zealand). The United Kingdom has followed a policy of leading the dependencies toward self-
government by creating territorial governments in them. These governments comprise a lawmaking
body (often called the legislative council); an executive body (called the executive council), which with
the governor is the executive authority; and an independent judiciary. At first government posts are
appointive, but an increasing elected element is introduced, as constitutions are altered, until elected
officials are made wholly responsible for local affairs. After a colony achieves internal self-government,
its legislature may apply to the British Parliament for complete independence. It then decides whether
to remain in the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Charter

The Charter brings together the values and aspirations which unite the Commonwealth - democracy,
human rights and the rule of law - in a single, accessible document.

The Charter expresses the commitment of member states to the development of free and democratic
societies and the promotion of peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all peoples of the
Commonwealth.

The Charter also acknowledges the role of civil society in supporting the goals and values 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

References
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Commonwealth-association-of-states
http://thecommonwealth.org/our-charter