10 YEARS OF THE COMMONWEALTH CHARTER: REMAINING RELEVANT IN THE COMMONWEALTH

VIEW ARTICLE BY THE CPA CHAIRPERSON

Hon. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP, Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee and Member of the United Kingdom Parliament.

In this first issue of The Parliamentarian in 2023, as the Commonwealth prepares to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Commonwealth Charter, it is a reminder of the magnificent reaffirmation of the basic principles that have underpinned the Commonwealth family of nations since its inception.

Signed in 2013, the Commonwealth Charter regards all member states as equal and strives for prosperity, advancement and the improvement of the lives of all the people that belong to it. As the parliamentary arm of the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is committed to ensuring that we are an effective Association, responsive to Members’ needs, and capable of addressing the significant global challenges of the future. We aspire to be a Commonwealth that is strong, respected in the world, speaks out on major issues and enlarges its networks with a global relevance and a clear profile.

The CPA is highly motivated by the standards of the Commonwealth Charter in conducting its regular activities and we continue to benchmark our ongoing projects with it firmly in mind. The CPA Strategic Plan (2022-2025) echoes the principles of the Charter with the key thematic areas and readily aligns itself to the mission, values and aims of the Association.

This year is also the 20th anniversary of the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles, which promote the Separation of Powers in jurisdictions between the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. As one of the partners that established the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles, they are also a key driving force in the CPA. During this extremely tense, stressful and unstable period in history, it is more important than ever that the Commonwealth Charter and the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles are upheld. The relevance of peaceful solutions is brought into sharp focus and differences can be solved by open discussion, tolerance and agreement. With 60% of the Commonwealth population being under the age of 30, fostering these ideals for the next generations are of crucial importance.

2023 also marks the ‘Commonwealth Year of Youth’. The CPA is dedicated to supporting youth engagement and participation such as the annual Commonwealth Youth Parliament, held most recently in the CPA Trinidad and Tobago Branch, CPA Roadshows to schools and universities and youth workshops. For the Commonwealth to continue being relevant, we need to adapt our approaches with technological and digital advances, utilise every educational opportunity and face challenges together to look toward a more contemporary Commonwealth.

The foundations of the Commonwealth Charter and the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles have proved their worth over these eventful years and are a testament to the lasting relevance and values of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth not only survives, but thrives, prospers and continues to nurture positive ideals. I very much look forward to attending the Commonwealth Day Service on March 13th this year and watching a special symbolic flag be hoisted from hundreds of flagpoles throughout this country and far beyond, depicting a united Commonwealth.