The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. It is home to 2.5 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of our members are small states, including many island nations. Our member governments have agreed to shared goals like development, democracy and peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the intergovernmental organisation that supports member countries to achieve the Commonwealth’s aims of development, democracy and peace. It publishes authoritative, evidence-based research and knowledge products for policymakers, academics, professionals and wider publics across the world. Our areas of focus and expertise include small and developing states; environment and climate change; democracy, law and government; and social issues concerning young people, gender, health and education.

Trade, Gender, Climate

This book offers new analysis of gender issues in the trade and climate arenas. It informs the development of strategies to support national governments in mainstreaming gender issues within trade and climate, which is critical to the post-2030 development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291958
  • Publication Date: Aug 2020
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Environmental, Social and Economic Development Provisions in Investment Contracts

Motoko Aizawa

This book provides detailed guidance for government drafters and reviewers of investment contracts in the Commonwealth to achieve fairness and balance in investment relationships with respect to environmental, social and economic development matters.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291965
  • Publication Date: Mar 2021
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Global Youth Development Index and Report 2020

The Youth Development Index is a resource for researchers, policy-makers and civil society, including young people, to track progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) associated with youth development.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849292009
  • Publication Date: Sep 2021
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

A Future for Small States

This report provides an analysis of key issues concerning small states' security and development. It sets out a series of recommendations to counteract vulnerability arising from such factors as globalization, environmental degradation and global warming, and international crime.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850925111
  • Publication Date: Jan 1997
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Pollution Control and Waste Management in Developing Countries

Rogers W'O Okot-Uma

A practical view of environmental management, focusing on pollution control and waste management. It records the experience gained through Commonwealth Secretariat regional seminars conducted in Africa over several years. It uses real examples to illustrate the points made.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat and SFI Publishing
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850925579
  • Publication Date: Jan 2000
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Gender Equality and the Judiciary

Kirstine Adams

This volume fills the gap in existing literature on the promotion of the human rights of women through the judiciary. It presents useful actual experiences of judges and experts, and highlights case laws which demonstrate successful applications of international standards to advance women's interests in national courts.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850925777
  • Publication Date: Jan 2000
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Gender Budgets Make Cents

Debbie Budlender

Providing an understanding of gender responsive budgets, this text is part of the inter-agency programme of the Commonwealth Secretariat, IDRC and UNIFEM. It covers the theoretical framework, the evolution of work in this area, the role of different stakeholders and the lessons learned to date.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850926965
  • Publication Date: Jan 2002
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

The Shaping of Tertiary Education in the Anglophone Caribbean

Vivienne Roberts

As tertiary education in the Caribbean enters a period of expansion and maturity, this book is a timely study into how the sector should evolve if it is to meet its target of increasing enrolment from under 10 to 15 per cent by 2005.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850927320
  • Publication Date: Jan 2003
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Small Change or Real Change?

Gender equality is essential for sustained economic growth and for democracy, peace and security. This book presents key thinking on a topic that is of international concern: how to ensure that sufficient financial resources are available through aid modalities and from domestic sources to effect the changes to make gender equality a reality.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850928662
  • Publication Date: Dec 2008
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Manoeuvring at the Margins

Emily Jones

Highlights three areas where small states can maximise their potential influence: establishing an effective negotiating team by strengthening human resources; harnessing the support of civil society and the private sector; and, improving negotiation strategies.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290067
  • Publication Date: Feb 2010
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Public-Private Partnerships Policy and Practice

H.K. Yong

A comprehensive reference guide on Public-Private Partnerships theory and practice for senior policy-makers and other public sector officials in developing countries. The guide focuses on the key lessons learned - and emerging best practice - from successful and failed PPP transactions over the past thirty years.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290203
  • Publication Date: Sep 2010
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

The Impact of China and India on Sub-Saharan Africa

Oliver Morrissey

Through detailed country-level analysis, this study examines the trading partnerships between China, India and sub-Saharan Africa. It assesses the economic impacts, identifies challenges and provides recommendations to assist policy-makers enhance the ability of SSA countries to derive benefits and to take advantage of new opportunities.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290555
  • Publication Date: May 2011
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

The Commonwealth Guide to Advancing Development through Sport

Tess Kay

A Guide for governments and stakeholders seeking to strengthen the contribution of sport to development and peace work. Part 1 provides evidence-based analysis of the potential contribution of sport to development objectives. Part 2 provides a practical framework for analysis, planning and monitoring of sport in development and peace work.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290876
  • Publication Date: Jun 2013
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Promoting Good Governance

Sam Agere

This book aims to show that a strong and achieving public service is a necessary condition for a competitively successful nation. The concept of good governance is linked with institutionalised values such as democracy, observance of human rights and greater effectiveness of the public sector.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850926293
  • Publication Date: Jan 2000
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

A Guide to the European Market for Medicinal Plants and Extracts

This guide describes the growth and development of the European herbal industry and includes a wealth of practical information for producers and exporters of medicinal plants and extracts. It is an indispensable tool for anyone wishing to do business with the European Union – the world's largest market for herbal medicine.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850926613
  • Publication Date: Dec 2000
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Zimbabwe Presidential Election, 9-11 March 2002

The Election Observer Group Reports are the observations, conclusions and recommendations of Commonwealth Observer Groups. The Secretary-General constitutes these observer missions at the request of governments and with the agreement of all significant political parties.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850927184
  • Publication Date: Jun 2003
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days