The Royal Commonwealth soCIety Magazine
Ready FoR IndePendenCe? We lay out the arguments for South Sudan’s future
the CeIP
Supporting eco-innovation across the Commonwealth
a modeRn netwoRk
The RCS International Meeting in Malaysia
FeatuRe stoRy
early and Forced marriage The RCS and Plan take the campaign to CHOGM Page 4
Issue 08 Sept - Dec 2011
welCome
Welcome… Reading this issue of RCs exChange, one thing is CleaR: the RCs is woRking haRd to see the Commonwealth ReClaim its position as a leading inteRnationalist netwoRk foR the 21st CentuRy. R Ry. we aRe takIng the Pulse oF the Commonwealth’s CItIzens and addRessIng the ConCeRns that matteR to them; ConCeRns about the envIRonment and the eConomy, human RIghts and CultuRal RelatIvIsm, dIsease PReventIon, natIon buIldIng and InteRnatIonal InteRventIon. The Commonwealth has the reach and expertise required to find solutions to such transnational problems. it can be a pioneer in thought and in action. and it can introduce profound change to the global landscape. But it cannot do so in isolation. This association must seek the support of others, and they in turn will look to it. This magazine demonstrates many instances in which the RCS has aligned itself with other organisations as a way to meaningfully address issues of true global concern. Civil society, private industry and governments collaborate with us – and with the Commonwealth – because they recognise this association’s potential, its capacity for influence and for transformation. international ngO Plan recognised that ChOgM provides an unmatched opportunity to lobby world leaders on pressing matters of human rights. Our joint campaign against early and forced marriage will present heads of government with a chance to prove the unity and relevance of the Commonwealth in tackling such a harmful practice. The ROyaL COMMOnWeaLTh SOCieTy
highLighTS DOn’T MiSS inSiDe…
CRowdsouRCIng hIstoRy
Forbury investment network recognises the considerable business links and geographical reach of the Commonwealth, essential to creating a successful international environmental investment platform. Just two months before South Sudan’s independence, its Vice President attended our international meeting to declare his country’s intention to join the Commonwealth. Riek Machar, and the new government of which he is a part, recognise the Commonwealth’s value in assisting fledgling democracies. These relationships, along with many others, indicate a pragmatic shift in how the RCS – and the wider Commonwealth – interacts with the world. Looking outward, we are sharing knowledge and expertise in order to increase the sustainability and impact of our projects, and i am excited about the potential i see to build upon these important collaborations and to forge new ones. as we head towards this year’s Commonwealth heads of government Meeting, we find ourselves in the midst of a dynamic moment of Commonwealth reform. i am proud of the part that the RCS has played in instigating and informing this reform agenda. But our job is far from over; in fact, i have a feeling that we’re only just getting started…
danny sRIskandaRajah DiReCTOR
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The Jubilee Time Capsule takes off me and my net
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The RCS in Kenya and Tanzania ContRoveRsy CoRneR
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Will South Sudan succeed? IntRoduCIng the CeIP
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Making green business possible
tRavel
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The secret to crashing a ghanaian wedding
PublIshed by
The Royal Commonwealth Society www.thercs.org edItoR
Joanna Bennett edItoRIal assIstant
ashley Johnson desIgn
www.fabrikbrands.com FRont CoveR Image
© Mads nissen for Plan international if you would be happy to receive RCS exchange by email, rather than in print, please contact Joanna Bennett at joanna.bennett@thercs.org, or call on 020 7766 9230. Write to us at 25 northumberland avenue, London WC2n 5aP. RCS exchange is printed on era Silk, the first recycled coated paper to use only waste collected from UK sources.
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news In bRIeF
international branch meeting the InteRnatIonal meetIng oF the Royal Commonwealth soCIety In kuala lumPuR showCased the RemaRkable enthusIasm and CommItment oF RCs membeRs aCRoss the Commonwealth.
The meeting also acted as a forum to discuss the particular challenges facing our branches and affiliates. Read more about the recommendations that came out of the meeting on page 12.
it was an opportunity for branch delegates and the RCS London team to meet each other and engage with the theme ‘Reinvigorating Commonwealth Civil Society’ in a series of discussions and debates.
Commonwealth Parliamentary arliamentary association dinner on the eve oF the 57th Commonwealth PaRlIamentaRy assoCIatIon ConFeRenCe In london, the loRd sPeakeR baRoness helene hayman hosted a dInneR at the RCs FoR vIsItIng Commonwealth mPs. in her speech, she endorsed the RCS’s joint campaign with ngO Plan to end the harmful practice of early and forced marriage across the Commonwealth. The issue of early and forced marriage, one of the greatest barriers to girls’ education, “really struck a chord” with her, she said. “early pregnancies come from societies that don’t value the education of women. early marriage is devastating for a girl’s early years.”
Baroness hayman expressed her hope that by presenting the issue to Commonwealth parliamentarians, they could act as a “fantastic unifying force” to come together in the drive for deeper democracy and human rights. Claire Whitaker, Deputy Chair of the RCS, said that if the Commonwealth is to take seriously the theme of the upcoming conference, ‘Reinforcing Democracy’, it is important to acknowledge as one of the most early marriage as one of the most
challenging human rights issues facing the Commonwealth today. “it is one that must be addressed through the representation, oversight and legislative efforts available to us all as parliamentarians”, she said. “your conference over the coming week provides a perfect opportunity to examine the Commonwealth’s role in reinforcing democracy over the next century, ensuring a place for girls and women at the table.”
CPA photos by Paul Milsom, Barrett & Coe 2
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MeMBeRShiP uPdates there are now added benefits for off-Peak members. membership only costs up to £200 and allows access to the club:
all members now receive the added benefit of a 10% discount at the following searcys venues and champagne bars:
• monday – all Day • tuesday – after 5pm • wednesday – after 5pm • thursday – after 5pm • Friday – all Day
• Barbican Restaurant • London Transport Museum • Paddington Champagne Bar • St Pancras grand • One new Change • Westfield London • Westfield Stratford
afternoon tea in Parliament loRd PoPat oF haRRow hosted 100 RCs membeRs and guests at ouR annual aFteRnoon tea In the house oF loRds. he ReCalled hIs own FamIly’s Commonwealth heRItage In uganda beFoRe tuRnIng the FlooR oveR to ouR guest oF honouR, dIane abbott mP. Speaking on the ‘Women as agents of Change’ theme, Ms abbott spoke passionately and candidly, noting that after 23 years in Parliament, she believes the most transforming element of British politics has come through the participation of women in elected office. She attributed her resilience and success in part to her Commonwealth history. “it gives you the belief you can leave your village from the farthest hills of the Commonwealth and come to London and become an MP”, she said. in closing, Ms abbott declared the Commonwealth to have “a potential and a role that people in British politics have to rediscover, reinforce and reinvigorate.”
The ROyaL COMMOnWeaLTh SOCieTy
new breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktail offers are now available in the Commonwealth Club’s members lounge as well.
Random FaCt
the top five countries that visit the RCs website are the UK with 34% of visits, then Singapore (9%), india (7%), Malaysia (6%) and Canada (6%). Visitors from Cameroon spend the longest time on the site, with an average of 6.38 minutes.
Random Result
of the top 20 countries where early and forced marriage is most prevalent, 12 of them are in the Commonwealth. Breaking Vows: Early and Forced Marriage and Girls’ Education, Plan UK, 2011
ContaCt us email us at: info@thercs.org telephone us on: 020 7766 9200 write to us at: 25 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5AP
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the RCs and Plan head to Chogm
Jasvinder Sanghera, Because I am a Girl campaign ambassador and survivor of forced marriage
hUM TO yOURSeLF The FiRST ChORUS OF ‘gOD SaVe The QUeen’. OR, FOR ThOSe UnChaRMeD By SUCh angLOPhiLia, WhiSTLe aLOng TO The naTiOnaL anTheMS OF MaLaWi, SieRRa LeOne OR CyPRUS. FiniSheD? in ThaT TiMe, moRe than 15 gIRls undeR the age oF 18 have been maRRIed. ThaT aMOUnTS TO One eVeRy ThRee SeCOnDS; 19 eVeRy MinUTe; 27,397 a Day; 10 MiLLiOn eaRLy MaRRiageS eaCh yeaR. The anthems may be familiar, performed with frequency and pride at sporting, state and international occasions. What is less well-known on the global stage is the damning rate and harmful effects of early and forced marriage. Of the 20 countries in the world where early and forced marriage is most prevalent, 12 of them are in the Commonwealth. This is why the RCS has partnered with international ngO Plan to begin an advocacy campaign intended to raise the profile – and decrease the prevalence – of early and forced marriage.
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earlier this year, we produced Because You’re a Girl, a research report exploring the best and worst places to be born a girl in the Commonwealth. it provoked significant debate, the implications of which have led us to lobby for tangible outcomes to directly improve the lives of women and girls across the Commonwealth. We will take these lobbying efforts to a number of fora, but our focus will be on October’s Commonwealth heads of government Meeting (ChOgM) in Perth, australia, where we hope to make the case that early and forced marriage is one of the biggest barriers to girls’ education, urging leaders to make real commitments to do something about it.
The Commonwealth’s 2011 theme, ‘Women as agents of Change’, emphasises the importance of investing in “My father made the decision to marry me off and i women and girls as a means to accelerate social, economic was not given any say at all. in fact, i did not even know and political progress. But early and forced marriage about my marriage. it wasn’t until a woman came to my discriminates against girls and, in many instances, takes away home, giving me money and a dress, and said, ‘you are their opportunities to access education, excluding them from now my daughter,’ that i realised what was happening. i meaningfully influencing development in their communities. was shocked, but my sisters advised me to stay silent.” We believe that the Commonwealth’s thematic focus on sabIna, PakIstan women and the bold modernisation agenda being brought to ChOgM by the eminent Persons group – tasked with exploring options for Commonwealth reform – presents our association with a unique opportunity to show some moral leadership on this important issue. Our campaign will provide an opportunity for leaders to remove one of the most significant barriers to girls’ education whilst simultaneously proving that the Commonwealth can become a much sharper tool for the promotion and protection of human rights. at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Sydney over the summer, participants discussed the issue of forced and servile marriages, agreeing the practice constituted a fundamental human rights violation. in their final communiqué, cooperation between states was recognised as crucial to preventing forced and servile marriages, many of which have a “transnational quality”. Ministers resolved to “note the useful discussion of measures that member states can take to protect women against forced and servile marriage and agree to consider actions to support the rights of women in such circumstances and to share best practices between member states”. The RCS and Plan welcome this statement, further adding to the support garnered by the campaign. The elders group of eminent global leaders has also formed an alliance against early marriage, and working in collaboration with them, we hope to build even more support before the Perth Photo courtesy of Ashley Day Summit in October. Civil society bodies and ngOs, like the RCS and Plan, have the ability to raise awareness about this issue • girls who marry early have their first children at and provide practical assistance where they can. But the a younger age. early childbearing contributes to involvement of international policymakers, like those pregnancy-related deaths and birth complications, attending ChOgM, is essential in order to the change the which are the leading cause of mortality for girls policy and programme climate and to inspire real change aged between 15 and 19. in the lives of millions of disenfranchised young women. • One study in Bangladesh found that a one-year ChOgM can be a globally relevant international postponement of marriage between the ages of meeting. Commonwealth leaders can once again be part 11 and 16 increases adult literacy by 5.6 per cent. of an institution that serves its citizens and lives its values. • a global analysis of data by the international Center Courtesy of Ashley Day To do so we mustn’t shy away from difficult conversations for Research on Women (iCRW) determined that girls’ any longer. Cultural relativism is too harmful when the education is ‘the most important factor associated futures of so many are at stake. with child marriage.’ For more information on our advocacy work, go to our website www.thercs.org/society or email ashley.johnson@thercs.org.
• alternative education and training programmes in Kenya for girls who have missed out on schooling led to a fall in early marriage and helped women assert themselves. Breaking Vows: early and Forced Marriage and girls’ education, plan UK, 2011
The ROyaL COMMOnWeaLTh SOCieTy
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PRojeCt FeatuRe
a PeoPle’s hIstoRy certain momentS in the hUman experience tranScenD national borDerS anD cUltUral DifferenceS. Since itS laUnch on commonwealth Day thiS year, the JUbilee time capSUle (Jtc) haS alloweD commonwealth citizenS to SUbmit memorieS that SpeaK to what iS trUly UniverSal.
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entries recount world events, births, deaths and marriages with the same sense of significance, wonder and sentiment, revealing both a common humanity and heritage across our association of nations. The variety in subject and format of JTC content is fast proving the originality of the project, which will commemorate her Majesty Queen elizabeth ii’s Diamond Jubilee next year. it presents a novel way to review the last 60 years. and as an online archive that tells the people’s history of the Commonwealth through modern technology, it is a far cry from the dusty history books we were brought up with at school. The innovation behind the project is also its attraction, as entries have steadily grown since March and contributors have recollected personal and national stories through a range of video, photos, artwork, music and writing. With so many submissions being made, it is possible to see a few trends emerging. One such trend is the number of pieces that have a cross-generational element to them. illustrating this is an entry by South african student Lara Clauss. Lara tells the story of her mother’s act of defiance in taking down the “slegs blankes” (“whites only”) sign above the door to the nurses’ changing room at the hospital where she worked in 1992. another recurring theme is evident in the popularity of submissions about the Royal Family. The JTC has received entries about many royal weddings, memories of meeting her Majesty The Queen and even photos of the royal party watching lions at nairobi national Park in Kenya in 1952. given the popularity of royal-related entries, we were very excited to secure an interview with the Very Reverend Dr. John hall, Dean of Westminster. The Dean gives his account of the most recent royal wedding. he speaks of the event as being an intimate ceremony despite the estimated 2.2 billion people who watched it on televisions or listened on radios across the world. he also recalls greeting Catherine at the great West Door of the abbey, and explains how the wedding is a sign of hope for the future. a third noticeable JTC trend is the rise of the Super Schools. Since the project’s inception, we hoped the JTC would forge and strengthen links between schools across the Commonwealth, and it has. Participating schools will be rewarded with special prizes for the best entries and are being encouraged to learn from each other as they make their submissions. The JTC will also be incorporated into lessons through a selection of teaching resources that have been made available online. St Katherine’s School in Johannesburg blazed an early trail for the Super Schools. The wide-ranging themes and creativity in the presentation of the entries are truly representative of the spirit of the project. One student tells the story of her father’s last night in his family home before he was conscripted to the South african army. another contribution explains how a sewing box and thimble has been passed down from generation to generation. another is a pictorial representation of 14 June 2009, the day the Confederations Cup started in South africa.
The ROyaL COMMOnWeaLTh SOCieTy
From the big moments to the small, the entries we have received so far demonstrate what an exciting and important project the JTC is. a colourful and vibrant history of the last six decades is beginning to emerge and we are excited to follow the JTC’s growth leading up to the 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations. We are thrilled with the response to the JTC so far and the unique Commonwealth history that it is building. The strength of the ambitious project – much like that of the Commonwealth – lies in is its creativity and diversity. We are certain it will become an outstanding legacy and hope each of you takes the time to submit your own Commonwealth story. We’re keen to hear stories from the length and breadth of the Commonwealth. To tell your story, all you need do is visit www.jubileetimecapsule.org. To stay updated, you can read our blog, follow us on Twitter @jtC_2012 and visit our Facebook page. We have also recently launched the JTC newsletter which you can subscribe to by emailing jubilee@thercs.org with ‘Subscribe to JTC newsletter’ in the subject field or email Verity Sharp at verity.sharp@thercs.org. go to the websIte FoR moRe entRIes… FRom the natIonal aRChIves
25 January 1957: Gold Coast Legislative Assembly accepting Ghana’s new constitution FashIon PResenteR gok wan
6 August 1991: The day the Internet was launched, forever changing the way we interact with one another exChange
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Project Feature
Essay Competition The world’s oldest and largest essay competition continues this year, with over 6,000 entries from students across the Commonwealth. This year’s Junior Prize goes to 13-year-old Iman Agha, a student from Liberal Arts High School in Islamabad, Pakistan. Her essay stood out to judges as a creative piece that engaged with the 2011 Commonwealth theme ‘Women as Agents of Change’ and inspired its readers.
My Woman of the Year 2011 Glamour and fame, I had thought, were the two main criteria for a Woman of the Year award. This concept was instilled and strengthened in my mind by the international magazines lying around my house. However, this idea was shattered this February when I saw a photograph of a hijabwearing, baby-clutching, fist-clenching, Egyptian woman at Cairo’s Tahrir Square, protesting against their President Hosni Mubarik. Who was she? What was she shouting? What was the baby’s name? These thoughts and many more raced through my mind. I knew not the answer to these questions, but I knew what she wanted…freedom! Freedom to express herself and claim her rights, which had probably been denied to her. Flashback four years ago, driving along a road in Islamabad with my mother, we came across a roadblock where police had stopped a group of women lawyers protesting against the government of President Musharraf. My mother told me that they were protesting for their rights and freedom. Though feeling a bit scared, I still knew then that they were courageous women, who had ventured out of their homes and offices and that moment was etched in my memory. With the Tahrir woman, I felt there was a strong connection to what I had seen and magically felt transported to Tahrir square and could almost hear the shouts and the chants (though I think it must have something to do with the video on BBC!). This time I didn’t feel scared, but proud of what women across the world were doing and achieving. They could be out on the streets and show the world what they wanted. I know this was not possible just a few years ago, in many Muslim countries. I would like to nominate the Tahrir woman as the Woman of the Year 2011. She is not someone I know personally, neither is she famous. But it’s a connection that I feel 8
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personally, that is important to me. She may not be pretty or tall, but she stands tall as she has a strong character and willpower. She stands up for what she believes in. She has a voice. My Woman of the Year has a strong faith. She will not give up easily, but instead she will show the world that she can express her feelings just like a man. I strongly believe in the rights of women and my Woman of the Year, I am sure, must feel the same way. She doesn’t have to be famous, rich or live in a mansion. She can be poor, live in a mud house and be from a country I’ve never even heard of. I should just be able to know how she feels. Connect with her. Relate to her. Look at what this woman, along with others at the Tahrir square, has achieved. She is part of the great revolution in Egypt. She has made her voice heard amongst those of a million others and has forced Hosni Mubarak to resign, changed the constitution allowing for greater democratic freedom, long awaited in Muslim societies. This is no tiny feat. She is that kind of person, the kind who can show the world that “Hey, I’m here to be counted amongst the living, make my voice heard and chart a different course for my nation and my children”. She believes in herself. She doesn’t whine about how bad her life is, rather she goes out and makes a difference. She will be remembered as a woman who made a difference. For these reasons, that inspiring woman with a scarf around her head, and a good heart, pure soul and a spirit that can never be dampened, is my Woman of the Year 2011. Essay, film and photo competition winners will all be profiled in the next issue of RCS Exchange. If you can’t wait to see who won, visit www.thercs.org/youth/essaycompetition.
PRojeCt FeatuRe
me and my net t CoveRs east aFRICa OVeR haLF OF The gLOBaL POPULaTiOn iS aT RiSK FROM MaLaRia anD haLF OF The COMMOnWeaLTh’S 54 MeMBeR STaTeS STRUggLe WiTh TaCKLing The DiSeaSe. BUT WhiLe heaLTh eDUCaTiOn POLiCieS anD aWaReneSS PROgRaMMeS eXiST aCROSS The WORLD, They OFTen negLeCT The UniQUe eXPeRienCeS OF yOUTh in DiSeaSe PReVenTiOn. The The RCS’s Me and My net project w was created as a way to give yyoung people a voice in the g global development debate. it concentrates on students’ understanding of malaria, their concerns about local and national prevention strategies and allows them to use their imaginations to create awareness campaigns of their own. a as part of the project, the RCS ran a series of successful art f the roject, the school events in east africa this summer, raising awareness of malaria in the two Commonwealth countries most affected by the disease. in July, both Kenya and Tanzania hosted Malaria youth Summits in their capital cities. in total, 100 school children were involved in two separate days of malaria education activities. The students at Malezi School in nairobi suggested improving Kenya’s infrastructure, introducing a national awareness campaign and working in collaboration with other Commonwealth countries as ways of tackling the disease. The high Commissioner of Botswana, he Mogotsi, praised the awareness campaign designed by the students, calling it “a milestone to be emulated by many more generations to come”. in Dar es Salaam, students were given the opportunity to grill experts working in Tanzanian malaria health policy and development. They also watched acclaimed Tanzanian film, Chumo, which promotes malaria prevention with a cinematic narrative. Students then wrote down their life goals on sheets of paper and placed them under a mosquito net. This exercise served as a reminder of the importance of good health in order to achieve their dreams.
The ROyaL COMMOnWeaLTh SOCieTy
the me and my net competition deadline has been extended to 28 october 2011. to see more photos fromthe events or learn more about the project, go to www.meandmy.net. “we should create public awareness, eradicate ignorance and also corruption so that we can together fight malaria. Unity is strength.” abdul karim Ibrahim ali, 14 “this is the only possible method, practical and cheap. other methods are beyond our control, like lakes, dams and forests. and chemicals are pollutants to our environment and expensive. this forum should be frequent and done over other parts of the world.” george waweru, teacher the RCs is grateful to our partners. nairobi: malezi school, PsI kenya and Cosmos education. dar es salaam: the british high Commission, the british Council, dFId, CommIt, Read International and tanzania house of talent/malaria no more. me and my net is supported by sumitomo Chemical’s olyset net.
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ContRoveRsy CoRneR
n… the bIg questIo
Should t Should the global community be optimistic for the future of South Sudan?
yes PatRICk wIntouR, assoCIate dIReCtoR, RCs South Sudan became an independent state on 9 July 2011 and there is no doubt that it faces an uncertain future. This new nation will need help and support if it is to have any chance of reaching adolescence, let alone enjoy long term security and prosperity. But there are some encouraging signs that lead me to disagree with those who call South Sudan a “pre-failed state”. in 1995, a group of senior Southern Sudanese came together and agreed that they needed to prepare for the day when the conflict would end and to train a new generation who could start rebuilding a nation not yet named. Thus, Skills for Southern Sudan (Skills) was born and over the past 16 years, while others may have had their doubts justified by continuing violence and instability in the region, much has been achieved. Thousands of civil servants, local government officials, Members of Parliament, ngO leaders and community workers have been trained and given the opportunity to plan for a better future. The provision of education and training across South Sudan has been extraordinarily difficult with the lack of even basic facilities. But thanks to the determination of a group of resourceful people, a wide range of programmes have been delivered on voter education, public administration, democracy and governance, computer skills and many others. Women have been included in every arena, involved in the governance and management of every programme. great care has been taken to provide opportunities in different parts of the country, however inaccessible. Skills are determined to make their participation in the construction of their nation a paragon of equality and freedom, and something that can be recalled with pride in the country’s history books.
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The leaders of the new government of South Sudan have made it clear that they would like to become part of the Commonwealth, and this could provide another useful network of practical support and advice as this new nation starts to find its feet. The work that Skills has started could be developed by Commonwealth organisations drawing further on the support of neighbouring Kenya and Uganda. Those who argue that South Sudan is doomed to fail may underestimate the resilience of a people who have withstood so much for so long, and who started long ago to think seriously about the future. The schools and hospitals may have been destroyed during the conflict, but the vision for the future has remained intact. For 16 years the Southern Sudanese have been taking practical steps to train its next leaders and prepare for the future, greatly increasing their chances of survival and success. There may be few tarmac roads leaving Juba, but the international community, including the Commonwealth, can build symbolic roads into South Sudan, offering this new nation experience and guidance as it seeks to develop.
no magnus tayloR, edItoR, aFRICan aRguments onlIne, Royal aFRICan soCIety South Sudan isn’t yet a failed state – it is barely a state at all, more so in law and on paper than in reality. Whilst Southerners who fought two bloody wars against the Khartoum government deserve the right to decide their own destiny, they remain dirt poor, and dirt poor countries will always find it hard to improve the lives of their people. What wealth South Sudan does hold comes almost entirely from oil. But reserves are situated dangerously on its northern border – including in the disputed region of abyei – where the ruthless attitude of the northern regime has already been demonstrated. The significant reserves the South can exploit must at present be piped out and refined in the north, effectively holding the Southern regime to ransom until it can develop (or, more realistically, get the Chinese to build) a pipeline to the sea through the badlands of northern Kenya. Secession, however justified, always seemed an incomplete “solution” and a lesser ideal compared with Dr John garang’s plans for a united, secular and democratic Sudan. But this vision died with garang in 2005 and it is difficult to imagine how another solution might have been achieved given the long history of warfare between north and South.
More crucial would have been to secure the technical skills and educated civil servants more readily available in the better developed north. Despite some efforts to train people, coupled with a returning diaspora population with experience of studying and working in america or europe, South Sudan is startlingly lacking in suitable individuals to staff its new ministries, teach in its schools and run its hospitals. Whilst a number of its top-ranked political figures flaunt their PhDs as badges of educational honour, such experience is far from the norm. South Sudan is a demonstration of the fact that political will does not automatically translate into economic, bureaucratic or governmental success. Whilst its population rightly rejoices in their hard won freedom, they have a difficult road ahead building a viable state from the green shoots of a new nation. www.africanarguments.org
Readers Respond Send us your thoughts on South S udan and the Commonwealth, and we wi ll publish the best response in the ne xt issue of RCS exchange. email ashley.johnson@thercs.org
Photos © UN Photo/Paul Banks The ROyaL COMMOnWeaLTh SOCieTy
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Comment
the RCs International meeting It was oveR 100 yeaRs ago, In 1910, that the Royal ColonIal InstItute – the Royal Commonwealth soCIety’s PRedeCessoR – FIRst sanCtIoned the Idea oF FoRmIng loCal bRanChes aCRoss the Commonwealth. the FIRst oF these oPened In bRIstol and was housed In an hIstoRIC buIldIng gIFted to the soCIety. by the 1930s, thIs bRanCh boasted oveR 1,000 membeRs. The institute’s first international branch was established at Christchurch, new zealand in 1913. it soon became known for lobbying the government on issues of trade and education. One century on, Bristol’s membership totals fewer than 100 and its building has required costly renovations. and the Canterbury, Christchurch branch now holds mainly social gatherings. The experiences of these two important branches echo those of many of our international affiliates, whose concerns were aired at the 2011 international Meeting of the Royal Commonwealth Society in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from the 15th to 17th of May. it was in Kuala Lumpur that 50 delegates from 10 Commonwealth countries participated in discussions about the problems, progress and potential of the international branch network. These discussions laid bare many of the challenges facing our branches, proving that while the experience and dedication of our members is evident, the current branch model is not structured to catalyse the enormous power and potential of our network. That structure is set to be transformed in order to be a sustainable model for the future. This is one of a number of key recommendations from a report published after the international Meeting. Other recommendations include involving branches more deliberately in RCS London projects and improving international communication. With 10,000 members, the RCS is the oldest and largest civil society body devoted to the Commonwealth. and with representation on almost every continent, it possesses a geographical reach and membership diversity that is the envy of many of the world’s ngOs. But our international network has grown stale, its work today passing largely unnoticed. This network needs help if it is to once again act as an influential vehicle for international understanding. Where networks succeed, they are among the most important sources of new ideas, modern principles and moral authority in the international system. But the ideals that participants in networks like ours espouse do not, all by
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themselves, produce change. To improve the effectiveness of our hardworking members across the Commonwealth, we need to become more flexible, more innovative and more relevant. as i write, we are in the middle of a consultation process with our branches. We are listening to their thoughts on the proposed changes, which include phasing out the branch model and replacing it with standardised membership of one international network. in the months ahead, we will strive to strengthen what works and to re-imagine what doesn’t. To wit, the Cambridge branch has been able to harness the enthusiasm and innovation of Commonwealth students since its inception. and the Malaysian branch’s new scholarship scheme has already garnered extraordinary local and international support. These are successes we must strive to reproduce in different regional contexts across our network. in an international system where the voices of states have dominated, international networks can bring alternative visions and new information to the debate, amplifying the voices of a diverse but united international civil society organisation. networks may not be classically ‘powerful’, but they can (and do) change the world through the production, exchange and strategic use of information. Restructuring our branch network is the first step toward becoming a more effective, adaptable and influential international actor. Our branches originated to facilitate the creation and exchange of ideas. We look forward to the cooperation of all our members as we seek to revive and recommit to that initial, invaluable intention.
InteRvIew wIth mIChael sIPPItt, ChaIRman oF FIn
Climate Change and the Commonwealth This is not a fad. it might be tempting to dismiss new Commonwealth environmental initiatives as trend-hopping or pandering, but that temptation would be completely unfounded. in fact, it was the Commonwealth that was one of the first international bodies to speak out on climate change. issued in 1989, the Langkawi Declaration on the environment was a declaration on environmental sustainability at the tenth Commonwealth heads of government Meeting (ChOgM) in Langkawi, Malaysia. it listed what the leaders perceived to be the main environmental problems at the time: the greenhouse effect, damage to the ozone, acid rain, marine pollution, land degradation and species extinction. among the pledges made in 1989 was a commitment to support the development of an international sustainable development funding mechanism. Twenty years later, at the 2009 ChOgM in Trinidad and Tobago, Commonwealth leaders recommitted to tackling what they called “the challenge of our time”, and appealed for “fresh impetus to foster new and more effective political and economic partnerships” in environmental development. The environmental concerns listed in that 1989 declaration persist. They transcend national borders and threaten Small island, low-lying, developing and developed countries alike. But practical programmes to address them are woefully lacking from Commonwealth bodies. and though the Commonwealth Consultative group on the environment (CCge) does important work facilitating high level discussions in the wings of international environmental meetings, a specific Commonwealth programmatic strategy has yet to emerge. enter the Commonwealth environmental investment Platform. a joint initiative between the Royal Commonwealth Society and Forbury investment network (Fin), the CeiP will act as a bridge between environmental entrepreneurs and international investors, giving the investors exposure to emerging markets and giving the entrepreneurs – particularly in developing countries – access to finance and business support. it is a creative and modern way to marry environmental necessities with market realities. The RCS has extensive experience delivering ambitious pan-Commonwealth initiatives, and we expect the CeiP will be no different. We spoke with the Chairman of Fin to learn more. The ROyaL COMMOnWeaLTh SOCieTy
why engage the Commonwealth In a PRojeCt lIke thIs? The Commonwealth has many natural advantages. a great deal of entrepreneurship is emerging from its substantial youth population, natural resources are abundant, there are extraordinary frameworks to connect people and the association is home to many investors and large corporations. human progress depends upon the exchange of ideas, knowledge and commerce, which brings economic development, and the Commonwealth is an ideal vehicle for that exchange to be achieved. Simply put, the Commonwealth has the links, knowledge and opportunity for investment that is critical for the success of the platform. how wIll It woRk? i would say the CeiP has three main components. The first concentrates on entrepreneurs, helping them to access equity finance and make their business proposals more attractive. There are many people out there with good ideas who just need funding. The second component focuses on investors. The platform will develop a substantial network of investors who want to be informed of opportunities in environmental technology. it will raise awareness of climate change markets and connect investors to the local CeiP hubs they are interested in. The third component seeks to educate the wider Commonwealth about the importance of ecoinnovation. Climate change requires an intelligent business response and this project will prove we don’t need to wait for international agreements or domestic policies to be introduced; all we need to do is build a business community of interest in the environment. what Is the CeIP tRyIng to aCComPlIsh? We want to foster the development of technological innovation that addresses an urgent need for the planet. it is my belief the CeiP will achieve – and pass – a tipping point. The CeiP will swiftly gain momentum both through its obvious relevance and the lack of adequate alternatives. a green industrial revolution is possible, if people seek low carbon economic growth that champions both energy efficiency and energy creation. The CeiP can help to start that revolution For more information about the platform, visit www.theceip.com.
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membeR and staFF PRoFIles
Up Close & Personal name: he ruth elizabeth rouse natIonalIty: Grenadian RCs CounCIl membeR sInCe: 2010 oCCuPatIon: high commissioner for Grenada in the UK
what does the RCs CounCIl hoPe to aChIeve thIs yeaR?
as the vision outlines, we hope to continue to find new and innovative ways to promote international understanding, thereby helping to raise the profile of the modern Commonwealth and its values. thIs yeaR’s Commonwealth theme FoCuses on gendeR equalIty. what has youR exPeRIenCe been as a Female dIPlomat woRkIng In the Commonwealth?
i feel it is an honour to serve as my country’s representative in any part of the globe. i have had the good fortune to serve in two Commonwealth countries and have found it much easier to adjust since we share common values and a common system of government. as a female diplomat, the challenges have been many and hence i received widespread support when i established the Women in Diplomatic Service group to help build the profile of our female diplomats. We also raise funds to train young and upcoming female diplomats in our respective Foreign Ministries. Though the world has changed quite a bit from the days when women
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were only requested to serve overseas as office secretaries, there is still a long way to go. Many times, when the head of Mission is announced or expected, many people still look for someone of the male persuasion. what do you thInk the key baRRIeR Is to women enteRIng dIPlomatIC seRvICe, and how Could the Commonwealth helP to elImInate It?
i believe Foreign Ministries should institute gender-friendly policies to encourage more women to serve. When men are posted, they are usually accompanied by their spouses who take care of the home and children. however, when women are posted, in many cases their spouses do not accompany them, bestowing the burden of taking care of the office as well as the home. There ought to be a change in our culture so men no longer view being posted with their spouses as being “led about”, but as being a supportive partner. The Commonwealth may be able to institute some gender-friendly programmes to show the benefits which may likely be obtained by men when they accept a posting with their spouses.
be PRoFIled In RCs exChange…
are you an RCs member? do you have an interesting story to tell? Being featured on our member profile page is a great way to let other members know who you are and what line of work you’re in. We’re keen to build a greater sense of community amongst RCS members. If you would be willing to be featured,please send an email to ashley.johnson@thercs.org.
message FRom the membeRshIP manageR
in the months ahead, we are planning a series of delicious member events, including an evening of Commonwealth wines and cheeses, tastings of Commonwealth beers,teas, whiskeys and brandies and our annual Christmas lunch. Looking forward to 2012, i also wanted to share some important news with our members… all Off-Peak Members can now use the club BeFORe 5pm on Mondays and Fridays as well as after 5pm in the evenings the rest of the week. This gives you even better value for your membership fee! also, from 1 January 2012, all members will be able to renew their membership online. We are hoping to set up the online joining process from this date as well. Lastly, i have been responsible for organising social member events since the start of the year and they have been very well attended.
Since January, members have been attending our monthly theatre trips to see shows such as The Children’s Hour, In the Forest Dark and Deep, Blithe Spirit, Cause Célèbre and Pygmalion. The trips are organised for the first Tuesday of every month. We have also organised several food and drink events such as the Meet the Wine Maker Dinner and Wine Tasting, champagne, rum, South african and new zealand Pinot noir tastings and the indulgent Commonwealth chocolate tasting.
Do keep a lookout for our event flyers at reception. you can now book tickets for these events online, so why not set up a bookmark to our page? go to our events calendar at www.thercs.org/society/events, where you can see a full list of our member events. hope to see you at our events soon! ope to
Kerrie fuller, membership m manager
meet the team RCs staFF undeR the sPotlIght along with the warm sunshine and throngs of tourists, summer brought with it a number of additions to our london office. we are delighted to introduce you to three new hires that will round out our programmes and external affairs teams:
veRIty shaRP
jessICa smIth
ashley johnson
Verity joins the RCS Programmes Team from Macmillan Cancer Support, where she worked in events and programmes. She will endeavour to fill each and every one of the Jubilee Time Capsule days leading up to hM The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. See www.jubileetimecapsule.org, follow @jtC_2012 or go to page 6 to read about the JTC’s remarkable entries.
Jessica comes to us from a Londonbased children’s book publisher. Savvy with social media and experienced in events, she will be handling the RCS’s events and programmes communications. Jessica’s recent improvements to the website include a past events page, complete with photos, videos and notable quotes. Follow Jess @events_RCs.
ashley joins the growing external affairs Team as a communications assistant, focused on the RCS’s research and advocacy aims. a recent international studies and diplomacy masters graduate, ashley is looking forward to advancing our campaign to end early and forced marriage across the Commonwealth when she attends ChOgM in Perth.
The ROyaL COMMOnWeaLTh SOCieTy
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Club news
The people have spoken Online reviews of the Commonwealth Kitchen “A short walk from Trafalgar Square and the banks of the Thames in a grand old Victorian building, The Commonwealth Kitchen is a spectacular surprise – a dazzlingly modern design palace that entirely belies expectation. In fact, this bright, airy space with its sharp lines, unmarred white paint and attention grabbing revolving art wall featuring works from Commonwealth artists, is unlike any other dining room in London and certainly bears no resemblance to the traditional idea of a members club.” From www.timeout.com/london
mat smith is a photographer and blogger in london who “rarely blogs about non-photo things”. but a trip to the Commonwealth kitchen earlier this year motivated him to focus his lens – and his taste buds – on chef oliver’s impressive qype tasting menu… i absolutely love a tasting menu as it’s the chef’s chance to take the diner on a journey that he has thought about in great detail, and it’s his chance to show off. in my perfect utopian world, people wouldn’t be allowed to choose dishes in restaurants at all. i have this sneaking suspicion that choice is the nemesis of genuine food diversity in the world of good dining. My favourite savoury course of the evening was a superb north Scotland monkfish with mussels and orzo pasta. The Commonwealth Kitchen really got it right: great variation of textures within the plate, perfect sidekick of shellfish, some zesty greens and a creamy pasta.
“We were thoroughly delighted. From the warm greeting on arrival to the courteous farewell, we could not have received better service. It really was exceptional. But as good as the service was, it was the food that I will remember for a long time to come.” shirley hoyland
The gorgeous side dish of Romanesco broccoli was exactly the right side of that line. it is little details like this, when i bite into them, that make me understand why i am not a real cook, nor should i ever try to be one. This mathematically interesting vegetable, an example of fractals in food, was probably the tiniest most sumptuous thing i have eaten this year so far. Perfection. There is no question the wines here were of a good standard, great clarity and depth, and they will leave drinkers with a happy organic glow as opposed to a slight headache. The service and hospitality we received was wonderful, waiting staff and restaurant manager took time to chat with us about the origin of the foods and the restaurant’s values. Looking at the menu prices, i will definitely be paying the restaurant another visit. i cannot recommend The Commonwealth Kitchen highly enough. nough. see e more at www.matsmithphotography.com
There’s a fine line between minimalism and vacuousness when it comes to this kind of food. i have especially found that wedding catering companies working to please a sophisticated palate often try too hard, and end up producing mere fashion food.
Monkfish with m ussels and or zo pa sta 16
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li brocco nesco a m o R
MaRKeT MenUS ThiS SeaSOn‌ RCS MeMBeRS ReCeiVe a 15% dIsCount On FOOD When Dining in The COMMOnWeaLTh KiTChen FOR LUnCh OR DinneR. CaLL 020 7766 9200 TO ReSeRVe yOUR TaBLe, anD SaMPLe SOMe OF The eXQUiSiTe COMMOnWeaLTh MaRKeT MenUS On OFFeR OVeR The neXT FeW MOnThS. CountRy
natIonal day
menu staRts
Papua New Guinea
16 September
9 September
Botswana
30 September
23 September
Uganda
9 October
7 October
St Vincent & the Grenadines
27 October
21 October
Dominica
3 November
4 November
Barbados
30 November
18 November
(Christmas Menu)
25 December
2 December
Virtuosic presentation, I think
you will agree
sting of my ta h t a m r e The aft The ROyaL COMMOnWeaLTh SOCieTy
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tRavel
inside
ghana ghana Is loCated In west aFRICa, wIth Its CaPItal PosItIoned on the beautIFul Coast oveRlookIng the gulF oF guInea. the RePublIC oF ghana joIned the Commonwealth In 1957, the FIRst majoRIty-Ruled aFRICan CountRy to do so. PeoPle and PlaCe CaPItal: aCCRa language: engLiSh PeoPles: aShanTi, FanTi, MOLe-DagBani, ga-aDangBe, eWe RelIgIon: ChRiSTianiTy, TRaDiTiOnaL BeLieFS, iSLaM sIze (sq km): 238,537 PoPulatIon: 22,931,299
when to go The rainy seasons fall between March and October. The rest of the year is tropical, hot and humid. The Panafest festival is held in the summer, involving pilgrimages of people coming to celebrate their ghanaian heritage. hIghlIghts accra: The capital hosts a great deal of ghanaian art, with large collections housed in the national Museum and the Centre for national Culture, which doubles as a craft market. The Kwame nkrumah Mausoleum is a splendidly adorned monument to the first president, and the national Theatre is home to musicals, plays and dance.
Cape Coast & elmina: gana’s coastline on the gulf of guinea is dotted with sandy palm-fringed beaches and lagoons, overlooked by fading trade and slave castles; one of the largest of these is the castle at Cape Coast, which was built in the sixteenth century. Today, it houses one of the country’s best museums. elmina, a short way along the coast, was the first european settlement in West africa and a former slave trade port.
All images provided by Patrick Smith, askthepilot.com 18
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kakum national Park: Conservation area for elephants, antelopes, monkeys, rare birds, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles. Visitors can follow walkways in the forest canopy, 333 metres above ground.
ConsumIng PleasuRes Food & drink: Traditional dishes include soups of palm nut and ground nut and kontomere and okro (stews) accompanied by fufu (pounded cassava). shopping & souvenirs: highlights include handmade gold and silver jewellery, modern and old african jewellery, ashanti stools and brass weights.
InvItatIon oPtIonal…
t
JOhn aPea iS On The JUBiLee TiMe CaPSULe STeeRing COMMiTTee anD PaRT OF OUR PROgRaMMeS TeaM. he LeTS US in On a ghanaian WeDDing TRaDiTiOn.
wexas Recommends kingdom of the ashanti tour
ghana is one of the friendliest West african nations and this group tour touches the heartbeat of the region, a diverse and rich culture in a beautiful land. Visiting two wildlife sanctuaries, you can view West africa’s abundant wildlife up close on a foot safari, or view the forest from a rainforest canopy walkway. From vibrant markets and golden beaches to the former slave forts on the coast, the castles and the mud-and-stick mosques, ghana is a country of surprises waiting to be discovered Day 1: Join tour in accra Day 2: Sightseeing in accra Day 3: Kumasi sightseeing Day 4: Techiman Day 5: Mole national Park Day 6 Mole national Park Day 7 to 8: Bolgatanga region Day 9 to 10: Wa region Day 11: Techiman Day 12: Lake Bosomtwi boat trip Day 13: elmina Castle & St Jago Fort Day 14: Kakum national Park Day 15: anomabu, then accra where tour ends Prices from: £1890pp for a 15-day tour including return flights, 14 nights standard hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, transport by bus and boat and the services of a tour leader and driver. Terms and conditions apply, offer subject to availability. For more information and to book please call 020 7838 5968 The ROyaL COMMOnWeaLTh SOCieTy
o exPeRIenCe the beauty and CultuRe oF ghana, theRe aRe a Few PlaCes you must vIsIt: the hIstoRIC Castles and FoRts oF CaPe Coast, the CRoCodIle sanCtuaRy In axIm, the bReathtakIng wlI wateRFalls In the volta, manhyIa PalaCe In kumasI and mole natIonal PaRk In tamale. these aRe all a must. howeveR, InItIatIon Into ghanaIan CultuRe Is InComPlete untIl you vIsIt a ghanaIan weddIng ReCePtIon. Unlike weddings in north america or europe, you don’t have to know the couple to attend their wedding or reception – a classic example of the legendary ghanaian hospitality. a well-attended wedding carries social prestige, so the more the merrier. That said, my experience tells me that knowing the first name of the bride or groom increases the likelihood that (a) you will be able to sit at the head table or (b) sit close to the head table, exponentially increasing your chances of being one of the first people to get served at dinner. One unspoken rule – if you are not the bride, groom, clergy or close relative – would be to not turn up on time. Many believe that being late shows that you are an important person in the community. When you arrive late, more people see you and this reminds the other guests that the ceremony was attended by influential people. in many ways, this is even more important than being on time to watch the couple be joined together in marriage. Photographers are also crucial to a successful ghanaian wedding. Depending on how financially healthy the couple are, there could be up to 20 photographers taking pictures of the party-goers for possible publication in a glossy magazine. ever the entrepreneur, each photographer brings a laptop, colour printer and assistant to print pictures on the spot for the happy revelers. The real fun begins when the music – “highlife”, a ghanaian blend of jazz and brass-band african rhythms and “hiplife”, a ghanaian appropriation of hip hop – begins blasting from 30-foot speakers situated around the venue. everyone, whether rich or poor, old or young, enemies, lovers, invited and uninvited, dance together, hugging one another in joyous delight. The young copy the energetic choreography of MTV, while the old play it safe by recreating dance moves from the days of Sinatra and nat King Cole. Things usually start to wind down around 5am. everyone is content in the knowledge that they squeezed out every drop of fun from the evening. in ghana, the african proverb “the friends of our friends are our friends” never rang so true. So next time you decide to visit ghana, make sure you bring your dancing shoes and be ready to party in the black star of africa.
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events dIaRy
events at the RCS over the past few months the RCs has staged a number of exciting and topical events examining the core values of the Commonwealth and emerging trends in international affairs.
june
building an alliance of the middle way in Pakistan: toward a secure and stable Future tuesday, 21 june 2011 This seminar held in partnership with Radical Middle Way, an organisation working in the UK and Pakistan to counter extremism, focused on the future of Pakistan and efforts and opportunities to promote stability in a nation plagued by religious extremism and a crisis of governance. zimbabwe: Prospects for Commonwealth engagement, thursday, 30 june 2011 The event explored the prospects for Commonwealth engagement with zimbabwe, one of the Commonwealth’s most emotive issues. Discussion revolved around when, and how, the Commonwealth could re-engage with a country that severed ties with it in 2003; the benefits there would be for zimbabwe; and the extent to which the country would welcome such efforts. “The time has come in my view for Prime Minister Tsvangirai to be received on his next visit to London in Marlborough house as the Prime Minister of zimbabwe, a country very interested in the Commonwealth.” he matthew neuhaus “The official Commonwealth could speak with a stronger voice… it may be too late at this stage to interject. What is going to make a key difference… is not the Commonwealth as an official organisation, but individual Commonwealth members, particularly the SaDC members, particularly other african Union members.” Professor stephen Chan obe
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july south sudan: the birth Pains of a new nation Friday, 8 july 2011 On the eve of South Sudan’s independence, the RCS held an event to discuss the uncertain ncertain future that faces this fledgling nation and how the Commonwealth can assist in its struggle to establish itself stablish itself as an independent and functioning state. The event came about as a positive response to South Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar’s speech at the RCS international Meeting in May, where he stated, “We have great enthusiasm for securing the recognition of the Commonwealth and membership of this association. Our government is young; its institutions are weak and our economy is underdeveloped. as a new member of the Commonwealth, we would seek support in terms of technical assistance, training and scholarships.” This event was held in partnership with Skills for Southern Sudan, a charity working to build the capacity of government and civil society organisations within South Sudan, and represented on the panel by trustee Sekina Dario. “For the Commonwealth, opening their doors to South Sudan provides an opportunity to renew itself. it is an opportunity for it to be visible, but more than that, the opportunity of reminding itself what it stands for. The Commonwealth is known for being a transformative agent. here the Commonwealth will join in the process of shifting South Sudan from the manacles of the past to a greater future.” Chuks Ihekaibeya, Independent consultant for the southern sudan development Plan
what’s ComIng uP… september The RCS will host an FCO civil society outreach event with Lord howell in the lead up to ChOgM. october andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for international Development, will visit the RCS as a keynote speaker. We will also continue to host a number of inspiring and challenging events on this year’s Commonwealth theme, ‘Women as agents of Change’. To receive full details of our events programme, subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter by sending your email address to eventsteam@thercs.org. Details of all our events, as well as information on past events, are listed on our website at www.thercs.org/events. you can book your place online or contact our events Team on 020 7766 9210. you can also follow the events Team on Twitter @events_RCs.
South Sudan Independence Day: Preparations and Celebration On 9 July 2011, South Sudan became the world’s newest nation and the 54th country in Africa. Is it about to become the Commonwealth’s 55th? “Membership of the Commonwealth would assist us greatly in meeting all our goals and I hope that one day soon we will be welcomed into this family of nations.” Riek Machar, Vice President of South Sudan, speaking at the RCS International Meeting in Malaysia, May 2011 Photos © UN Photo/Paul Banks