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Rediscovering the Commonwealth to deliver a common future

As Bangladesh celebrates 50 years of independence, the UK looks forward to the next fifty years of friendship and collaboration between our two countries, including through our shared membership of the Commonwealth. The British High Commission Dhaka is working with the Daily Star and Youth Policy Forum to understand the aspirations of young Bangladeshis for the future of the Commonwealth. We encourage everyone to join the conversation.

A voluntary association of  54 independent and equal countries, 

and home to  2.4 billion people 

These are Commonwealth member government's shared goals

Bangladesh and the Commonwealth of Nations: A boost in Economy

"In 1972, when Bangladesh joined the Commonwealth as its 34th Member, the country was still in its infant stage struggling with a war-torn economy and a ravaged infrastructure due to the aftermath of the War of Independence. Over time, Bangladesh attained tremendous development on its economic front.
"Bangladesh can work towards nurturing a strong bond and support structure among the member countries of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth represents a diverse pool of countries of many unique strengths which presents opportunities to boost trade for all the members."
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Bangladesh and the Commonwealth of Nations: A boost in Economy

"In 1972, when Bangladesh joined the Commonwealth as its 34th Member, the country was still in its infant stage struggling with a war-torn economy and a ravaged infrastructure due to the aftermath of the War of Independence. Over time, Bangladesh attained tremendous development on its economic front.
"Bangladesh can work towards nurturing a strong bond and support structure among the member countries of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth represents a diverse pool of countries of many unique strengths which presents opportunities to boost trade for all the members."
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A life changing opportunity: Commonwealth Youth Network

"As the first Bangladeshi woman to run the Commonwealth Youth Council executives’ election, when I look back at my five-year-long engagement with different Commonwealth Youth Programmes, I find the experience immensely rewarding and completely reshaping me as a better person."
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A life changing opportunity: Commonwealth Youth Network

"As the first Bangladeshi woman to run the Commonwealth Youth Council executives’ election, when I look back at my five-year-long engagement with different Commonwealth Youth Programmes, I find the experience immensely rewarding and completely reshaping me as a better person."
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The Commonwealth: One of the world’s oldest political associations of states

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Photo: The 1926 Imperial Conference was notable for producing the Balfour Declaration, which established the principle that the dominions are all equal in status, and "autonomous communities within the British Empire" not subordinate to the United Kingdom. The term "Commonwealth" was officially adopted to describe the community. | via Wikimedia Commons

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Photo: Queen Elizabeth II and Commonwealth leaders, taken at the 1960 Commonwealth Conference, Windsor Castle. | British Government [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The early Commonwealth

Over time different countries of the British Empire gained different levels of freedom from Britain. Semi-independent countries were called Dominions. Leaders of the Dominions attended conferences with Britain from 8087.
The 1926 Imperial Conference was attended by the leaders of Australia, Canada, India, the Irish Free State, Newfoundland, New Zealand and South Africa. At the 1926 conference Britain and the Dominions agreed that they were all equal members of a community within the British Empire. They all owed allegiance to the British king or queen, but the United Kingdom did not rule over them. This community was called the British Commonwealth of Nations or just the Commonwealth.

Birth of the modern Commonwealth

The Dominions and other territories of the British Empire gradually became fully independent of the United Kingdom.
India became independent in 1947. India wanted to become a republic which didn't owe allegiance to the British king or queen, but it also wanted to stay a member of the Commonwealth.
At a Commonwealth Prime Ministers meeting in London in 1949, the London Declaration said that republics and other countries could be part of the Commonwealth. The modern Commonwealth of Nations was born.
King George VI was the first Head of the Commonwealth, and Queen Elizabeth II became Head when he died. But the British king or queen is not automatically Head of the Commonwealth. Commonwealth member countries choose who becomes Head of the Commonwealth.

On 80th April 1972,

Bangladesh became

the 34th country to join

the Commonwealth

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Photo: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II and Commonwealth Heads of State

Commonwealth Legacy: The triumph and the future of Democracy

"The future of democracy depends on our vigilance. By building more comprehensive global connections we can stop the rising tide of fear-mongering and other elements that are dividing and tarnishing our democracies. Democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights are interlinked, interdependent, and mutually reinforcing. One cannot exist without the others.
"The Commonwealth and the 2.4 billion people living in it, especially the youth, have the biggest duty. A united Commonwealth can become a beacon for global democracy and set the example of ideal co-operation. The Commonwealth must stay united and vigilant, now more than ever, to protect and nurture true global democracy around the world. After all, democracy is not a destination, rather an ever-going journey."
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Commonwealth Legacy: The triumph and the future of Democracy

"The future of democracy depends on our vigilance. By building more comprehensive global connections we can stop the rising tide of fear-mongering and other elements that are dividing and tarnishing our democracies. Democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights are interlinked, interdependent, and mutually reinforcing. One cannot exist without the others.
"The Commonwealth and the 2.4 billion people living in it, especially the youth, have the biggest duty. A united Commonwealth can become a beacon for global democracy and set the example of ideal co-operation. The Commonwealth must stay united and vigilant, now more than ever, to protect and nurture true global democracy around the world. After all, democracy is not a destination, rather an ever-going journey."
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Marching towards CHOGM to Ensure Gender Equality

"#Reform53 - Together for Legal Equality" is such an advocacy campaign, which is currently being run by the Commonwealth Youth Gender and Equality Network (CYGEN) and which calls for the leaders of all 54 Commonwealth countries to reform laws that discriminate against women, girls and people with diverse SOGIESC.
"Discriminatory laws remain a barrier to gender equality, and we urge reform where discrimination still exists in the penal codes of Commonwealth countries. CHOGM 2021 gives hope to the fight for gender equality. Youth activists are ready to take the lead, but we need support from civil society, the media, and those most fortunate in our society."
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Marching towards CHOGM to Ensure Gender Equality

"#Reform53 - Together for Legal Equality" is such an advocacy campaign, which is currently being run by the Commonwealth Youth Gender and Equality Network (CYGEN) and which calls for the leaders of all 54 Commonwealth countries to reform laws that discriminate against women, girls and people with diverse SOGIESC.
"Discriminatory laws remain a barrier to gender equality, and we urge reform where discrimination still exists in the penal codes of Commonwealth countries. CHOGM 2021 gives hope to the fight for gender equality. Youth activists are ready to take the lead, but we need support from civil society, the media, and those most fortunate in our society."
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How does the Commonwealth function?

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Photo: 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting(CHOGM) Family photo at Buckingham Palace

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Photo: Bangladesh Parliament Speaker with Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, at 2016 Commonwealth Day Reception

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Photo: Secretary-General Patricia Scotland with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the executive session in Lancaster House, at CHOGM 2018

The Commonwealth Secretariat (headquarters located in Marlborough House, London) was created in 1965 as a central intergovermental organisation to co-ordinates and carries out much of the Commonwealth's work.
The Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CFTC) is the main way that the Commonwealth Secretariat provides technical help to Commonwealth countries.
Leaders of Commonwealth member countries shape Commonwealth policies and priorities. Every 2 years, they meet to discuss issues affecting the Commonwealth and the wider world at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

UK Commonwealth Chair-in-Office Report 2018-2020

Strengthening the Commonwealth institutions

Fairness

Prosperity

Sustainability

Security

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