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.

Small States

This unique annual collection of key economic and statistical data on states with fewer than 5 million inhabitants is an essential reference for economists, planners and policy-makers working on issues of concern to small states. This volume contains 68 tables covering development indicators and 4 articles focusing on the green economy.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290791
  • Publication Date: Dec 2012
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Social Policies in Samoa

Desmond U Amosa

Samoa is a role model in the Pacific region for its economic and social achievements. This in-depth study traces the history of government policy and examines the fundamentals underpinning the country's progress. It also examines how the fa'a Samoa, the culture, enabled the country to build resilience after crises in the 1990s.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290821
  • Publication Date: Jul 2012
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Integrating Sustainable Development into International Investment Agreements

J. Anthony VanDuzer

This Guide is designed to assist developing countries to negotiate International Investment Agreements (IIAs) that are more effective in promoting their sustainable development. A useful reference tool for developing country negotiators and interested parties.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290869
  • Publication Date: May 2013
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Educators in Exile

Barry Sesnan

This study addresses a gap in the literature on the role and status of teachers in emergencies. Through field research from Kenya, South Africa and Uganda, it identifies issues facing refugee teachers and makes recommendations on how policy can address their needs, and thus improve access to education to populations affected by an emergency.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290913
  • Publication Date: Feb 2013
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Gender Responsive Investment Handbook

Vanessa Erogbogbo

Gender Responsive Investment is a process of ensuring gender-equitable access to financial services and investment. This Handbook supports policy-makers to identify the policies, laws and regulations that hinder women's access to finance, and assists financial institutions to deliver inclusive, well-designed products and services for women.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291002
  • Publication Date: Jun 2013
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

e-Governance in Small States

Anthony Ming

ICTs can create digital pathways between citizens and governments that are affordable, accessible and widespread. This book aims to strengthen the understanding of policy-makers by outlining the conditions and processes involved in the planning and execution of e-government projects.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291026
  • Publication Date: Jul 2013
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

The Right to Trade

Joseph E. Stiglitz

Aid for trade has not delivered on its initial promise. To create a genuinely pro-development trade liberalisation agenda, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph E Stiglitz and Andrew Charlton put forward proposals that will help international trade work for developing countries and preserve a development-friendly multilateral trading system.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291057
  • Publication Date: Jun 2013
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Tourism and Inclusive Growth in Small Island Developing States

Mark P. Hampton

How tourism might facilitate inclusive growth in small states. The study provides analysis of the gains achieved by direct and indirect channels and the gaps in data collection. Uses data from Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles, examines land-based and cruise tourism operations and explores how local supply chains could be enhanced.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291071
  • Publication Date: Aug 2013
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Transitioning to a Green Economy

Nadine Smith

What does the concept 'green economy' look like in practice? This book contains case studies from eight small states: Botswana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Mauritius, Nauru, Samoa and Seychelles. It provides insights into the success of various initiatives and highlights how small states themselves are making practical progress.

  • Imprint: Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291279
  • Publication Date: Mar 2014
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Village Level Aquaculture Development in Africa

H.R. King

The current status and development of small-scale village based aquaculture, particularly fish farming, in Africa, has been the subject of some discussion in recent years. The ensuing conclusions and recommendations were crystallized in a 10-point Resolution on Village Aquaculture Development in Africa.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850923278
  • Publication Date: Jan 1988
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Compendium of Election Laws, Practices and Cases of Selected Commonwealth Countries, Volume 2, Part 2

Carl W. Dundas

This compendium presents the constitutional provisions and election laws of a number of selected Commonwealth countries in a user-friendly way.

  • Format: Hardback
  • ISBN: 9780850925753
  • Publication Date: Jan 1998
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Business Guide to the World Trading System

This book provides an overview of achievements of the Uruguay Round and the legal system established by it, and explains the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO). A sequel to 'Business Guide to the Uruguay Round' (1995), this edition contains updates on new developments which have taken place since 1996.

  • Imprint: International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO and Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850926217
  • Publication Date: Jan 1999
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working 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

Citizenship Education in Small States

Una M. Paul

Identity and diversity in all its forms present major challenges to countries seeking to best equip citizens with the skills to participate effectively in their diverse societies. They set out the strategies and actions needed to support small states wishing to promote the values of good citizenship.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780850927313
  • Publication Date: Jan 2002
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days