The response of The Round Table to the Commonwealth High-Level Review

Commonwealth High Level Review

Founded in 1910, the Round Table journal is widely regarded as the major source of commentary, research, and insight into the affairs of the Commonwealth. Since its inception it has sought to influence the area of international relations that is uniquely represented by the Commonwealth.

This submission by The Round Table to the High Level Review reflects the wide-ranging experience and knowledge of the Commonwealth that is represented by the members of The Round Table. The following proposals are intentionally brief and oriented towards actions that The Round Table considers would best serve both the Commonwealth and the whole international community in the next decade.

1. The Round Table warmly welcomes the emergence of the NGO sector as a significant player in Commonwealth affairs (reflected in its increased presence at the Heads of Government Meetings) and believes that it is essential to encourage still further interaction between the official and the unofficial Commonwealth.

The Round Table is powerfully aware of the crucial significance of the 'unofficial Commonwealth' and all those agencies that promote the principles that inform the modern Commonwealth. Indeed, the energy and often passionate interest of the wider Commonwealth in human rights, good governance, alleviation of poverty, and conflict resolution convince us that such issues are of central importance for the future of the Commonwealth. In addition to the wishes of governments, the agencies of civil society are frequently an essential catalyst for change and a critical point of reference for the Secretariat and the other 'official' agencies. The work of the Commonwealth Foundation in supporting these agencies should be encouraged.

2. It is vital that the official Commonwealth should be given the financial resources to carry out its tasks. There should be fresh investment in the Commonwealth by all member governments.

The Commonwealth is very well placed to pursue an even more innovative and positive role in international affairs. However, increased resources are a fundamental requirement for the achievement of the recommendations in this Response.

3. The current emphasis on human rights and good governance should be extended and fully integrated into the Secretariat. It should become a central plank of policy for the future.

Technical assistance has always been an important way of supporting good governance and should be maintained. Election monitoring also serves an important democratic purpose. In promoting democracy, the Commonwealth in many instances is able to take advantage of the special links which exist between Commonwealth countries. Nevertheless the Commonwealth's election monitoring activities should be more fully integrated with comprehensive strategies for strengthening and deepening democracy, including both preparation and follow-up.

4. A Commonwealth Human Rights Commissioner should be appointed.

International respect for the Commonwealth and the continuing support of Commonwealth members is intimately linked to the perception of the Commonwealth as a principled organisation. Human rights are central and need to be signalled in the most public way. The appointment of a Human Rights Commissioner, linked to the Commonwealth Secretariat, would underline the Commonwealth's commitment to human rights and greatly facilitate communication with other international bodies and the many NGOs with interests in this area.

5. The Commonwealth should continue to bring pressure to bear when governments fail to respect Commonwealth principles. In this context, CMAG is of central importance. Its mandate should be expanded to enable it to act in situations where there is grave concern that Commonwealth values are being eroded.

CMAG represents an innovative and creative development of the Commonwealth's capacity for responsiveness and effective action. It now needs to be given a wider mandate, to gain experience in the area of conflict prevention, and to increase international credibility and respect.

6. Logistical and financial support in particular for the good offices work of the Secretary-General and CMAG activities should be enhanced.

The good offices activities of the Secretary-General and CMAG urgently require enhanced support if they are to achieve their potential. This would encourage more sustained efforts at early warning and analysis of potential conflict, as well as being an aid to conflict prevention and resolution.

7. Freedom of expression and information should be made more explicit in the priorities of the Commonwealth - including in the field of information technology.

There is no doubt that the revolution in information technology has had the most profound effect on relationships between and within countries. The Commonwealth Secretariat should ensure that its own operations are transparent and that it makes use of the latest technology. The Commonwealth should encourage governments to utilise IT to increase access to information and improve dialogue between governments and citizens. It is also vital to sustain a free press and open public broadcasting as a central condition of a participative democracy.

8. The Commonwealth should intensify its mission to extend the opportunities and alleviate the adverse effects of globalisation on low-income and small countries.

The growing poverty of the majority of people on the planet remains the most significant cause of inequality, human rights abuse, and environmental degradation. The Commonwealth has proven consensus-building capacity in this area, which should be brought to bear in addressing these questions. The Commonwealth should seek to enhance and progress the Edinburgh and Fancourt declarations. The work of Commonwealth Finance Ministers, the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation, and the Commonwealth Business Council, should be supported.

9. The potential of the Commonwealth as an association that can 'help the world to negotiate' and assist individual countries to come to democratic solutions, should be much more effectively broadcast within and without the Commonwealth.

In the new global environment, and with access to greatly enhanced means of communication and influence, the Commonwealth needs to take advantage of every opportunity to make its activities better known and appreciated. A strategy to promote the Commonwealth in the short term through the print and electronic media, and in the longer term through education, should be put into operation at once. All governments in the Commonwealth should ensure that knowledge of the Commonwealth is acquired by the young, and the inclusion of Commonwealth Studies as a required part of national curricula is to be particularly commended. The Ingram and Simons reports are still relevant, and their recommendations should be implemented in full.

See the Appendix

Each issue also contains a 'Commonwealth Update', prepared by Oren Gruenbaum, covering the main events in Commonwealth member countries and in pan-Commonwealth bodies.