1 minute read
Foreword
from The contribution of Commonwealth Accredited Organisations to advancing the Commonwealth Charter
The Commonwealth is a vibrant family of 56 countries and 2.6 billion people that celebrates and gets its strength from its rich diversity. Accredited civil society organisations play a vital and cherished role in our collective endeavour to build a more peaceful, inclusive and sustainable Commonwealth.
Along with the governments of Commonwealth countries and the Commonwealth inter-governmental organisations, Accredited organisations are a key pillar of the Commonwealth as they all share a resolve to advancing the values and principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter, whose tenth anniversary we are celebrating this year. It is a fitting occasion, therefore, to recognise and appreciate the immense contribution that accredited organisations make, individually and collectively, in championing the causes they represent, while also overcoming a myriad of organisational challenges along the way.
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Like the Commonwealth itself, the group of accredited organisations is diverse: some are large and well-resourced while others are run by volunteers on shoestring budgets. But what each of them contributes to strengthening the ties that bind the Commonwealth family is priceless. Every one of them has a compelling story to tell, which can be glimpsed in their annual reports, about their work and the impact that has had in improving outcomes related to education, health, equity, human rights, governance and even disaster response in the Commonwealth.
This first-of-its-kind study is an attempt to fill an important gap in our collective knowledge about the important but often under-appreciated role that accredited organisations collectively play in making the Commonwealth the most unique of international institutions. The qualitative and quantitative research underpinning the study is based on the information and data that is currently available, which, it must be noted, has its limitations. It is my hope, however, that the insights and value captured in this study will trigger a regular and systematic appraisal of the collective contribution and untapped potential of accredited organisations. Accredited organisations have done much to support Commonwealth countries, in the face of grave challenges facing our world, from the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, to the impacts of climate change. Partnership between the public, private, and non-profit sectors will be important for the Commonwealth to meet and overcome the numerous difficulties it will confront in future years.
The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
