Moot Resources

The Moot is the name of the Editorial Board that supports The Round Table journal, as well as organizing occasional seminars, meetings and conferences on themes of Commonwealth interest.

The Round Table response to the draft EPG Report

1. Introduction

The Round Table will undoubtedly welcome the likely thrust of the Report of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group to Heads of Government in Perth. It is particularly pleasing to see a number of proposals in the report which match recommendations made by The Round Table in its submission to the EPG in September 2010. The Round Table values the opportunity to make brief comments on some of the keys issues likely to be contained in the EPG's report. It has asked a small review group, headed by the Chairman, to respond, and our comments are set out below:

2. A Commonwealth Charter

Shared values are clearly of fundamental importance to the Commonwealth. The Trinidad & Tobago Affirmation of Commonwealth Values and Principles sought to codify previous declarations of values (such as Singapore in 1971 and Harare in 1991). It is to be hoped that the proposed Charter will go beyond a re-codifying of values. Instead, it should seek to establish a comprehensive set of rights and obligations by all Commonwealth stakeholders (whether in the intergovernmental or in the 'peoples' Commonwealth). Taking the Commonwealth of Learning practice as a model, the three intergovernmental agencies (COL, CF, CS) should, in an integrated way, provide country (and regional) reports on how specific benefits have been delivered to member countries and their citizens. This might be on an annual, biennial or triennial basis. At the same time, member countries might report to the Secretariat and to their fellow members on how they have discharged the responsibilities of membership across a range of measures (assessed and voluntary financial obligations; secondment and recommendation of personnel to Commonwealth bodies; hosting of Commonwealth events, meetings and consultations; promotion of Commonwealth Day and other events; and so on). Commonwealth and civil society organisations should also be included in the matrix, with corresponding rights and obligations.

3. A Commissioner for Democracy

The additional, pro-active capacity for the Commonwealth's democracy and human rights' work envisaged in the appointment of a Commissioner is to be strongly welcomed. We have two caveats. First, in title as well as job function, it must be clear that the Commissioner has a significant human rights brief, along with responsibilities for promoting democracy and the rule of law. Second, the Commissioner's work must be directed towards enhancing the Secretary-General's role, rather than substituting for it, in any way. The Secretary-General must articulate the Commonwealth's concerns, and be its clear voice of conscience in defence of its values everywhere - within its membership; and in the wider world.

The greater emphasis on improving the effectiveness of democracy programmes is laudable. Extending the period of deployment of Commonwealth election observers would be important. In practice, this may require a functional distinction between what are, in effect, Long and Short-term Observers (though they should not be identified as such). There should be no change in the calibre of observers recruited but it might be useful to establish a register of those who are able to give a greater time commitment and therefore be used for longer periods of deployment (within any mission).

A 'Commonwealth Academy of Democratic Development' is an attractive and necessary idea. At least initially this might be a 'virtual' academy, with services delivered, on a fee basis, by a collaborative network of Commonwealth and specialist organisations.

4. Small States

The proposal to re-establish a Ministerial Group on small states is highly desirable. Small states constitute a core Commonwealth constituency and their special needs and vulnerabilities are still very much evident in contemporary issues, such as climate change.

5. The Secretariat

We applaud the EPG's determination to safeguard and increase the Secretariat's technical assistance work. The Secretariat needs to be able to attract and retain quality staff from around the Commonwealth. A competitive and equitable package of employment terms and conditions is part of the answer. However, a key aspect of the organisation's appeal to potential applicants will lie in the value of its programmes and the dynamism and relevance of the Secretariat's leadership. Inevitably, the Secretariat will need to be focussed and streamlined in its programmes, and must demonstrate value-for-money and comparative advantage. The use of workshops, either regionally or on a pan-Commonwealth basis, is sometimes of doubtful value. The Commonwealth of Learning is developing valuable tools to enable the same skills and knowledge which might be delivered at a workshop to be shared and developed through distance learning. This merits further investigation.

6. The Commonwealth and young people

As regards sport and development, we hope that any new work in this area will build on the valuable initiatives of the former CHOGM Committee on Sport. It is also important that the Secretary-General works closely - and publicly - with the hosts and organisers of the Commonwealth Games. There should be no repeat of the disastrous mishandling of the New Delhi Games in 2010.

The idea of introducing a modestly remunerated and competitive internship programme, supported by a whole range of member countries and Commonwealth organisations, is an excellent one. This will involve the careful integration, validation and marketing of these opportunities to young people.

7. Conclusion

Properly developed, many of the recommendations will be highly attractive - to member governments, we hope; but also to the general public. We trust the EPG will therefore consider putting a 'popular' version of the report into the public domain.

Finally, The Round Table submission to the EPG last September emphasised the overriding importance to the Commonwealth of bold and courageous leadership. Without that, no amount of fresh thinking and new initiatives will of their own be sufficient in revitalising the Commonwealth and setting it on a path of global service for the 21st century.

Stuart Mole (Chairman)
Richard Bourne
Melanie Torrent
On behalf of The Round Table Limited
17 June 2011

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