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.

Making Trade in Services Supportive of Development in Commonwealth Small and Low-Income Countries

Patrick Macrory

This Economic Paper assesses new innovative measures in trade in service negotiations that reflect the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by developing countries. It outlines the approaches that can help small and low-income countries in a manner that is practical and supportive of their economic development.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290708
  • Publication Date: Nov 2011
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Women and the Teaching Profession

Fatimah Kelleher

Examines how the teacher feminisation debate applies in developing countries. Drawing on the experiences of Dominica, Lesotho, Samoa, Sri Lanka and India, it provides a strong analytical understanding of the role of female teachers in the expansion of education systems, and the surrounding gender equality issues.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290722
  • Publication Date: Nov 2011
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Potential Supply Chains in the Textiles and Clothing Sector in South Asia

Examines one of the leading manufacturing sectors in South Asia – textiles and clothing – to assess the prospects for developing production linkages through regional co-operation. The findings show that there is significant unexploited scope for intra-regional trade which would enhance the competitiveness of the region overall.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290760
  • Publication Date: Nov 2011
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

The Big Divide

John L. Roberts

This report analyses data, 2000–2010, from 46 small island developing states (SIDS) to provide a comprehensive assessment of progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from a small states perspective. It shows a 'big divide' separates these countries across the range of MDG economic, social and environmental indicators.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290883
  • Publication Date: Dec 2012
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Pakistan General Elections, 11 May 2013

The report of the Commonwealth Observer Mission for the Pakistan elections, held 11 May 2013. The Mission was led by Sir Douglas Kidd, former Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand, and was comprised of 13 eminent persons.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291088
  • Publication Date: Jul 2013
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Strengthening Sport for Development and Peace

Oliver Dudfield

Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) brings the power of sport to solving some of the most difficult challenges of humankind, such as the realisation of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals. This collection of papers showcases innovative approaches and examples of effective SDP policies and strategies.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291187
  • Publication Date: May 2014
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Sri Lanka Presidential Election, 8 January 2015

These were important elections in Sri Lanka as an incumbent president was seeking an unprecedented third term in office under a recent constitutional amendment. The group found that the outcome election reflected the will of the people of Sri Lanka, but the electoral contest did not comply with all the key benchmarks for democratic elections.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291385
  • Publication Date: Apr 2015
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Small States

This annual collection of key economic and statistical data is essential reading for economists, planners and policy-makers working on issues of concern to small states. This volume covers overseas development assistance and Post-2015 financing for development in small states; and contains 17 tables covering development indicators.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291439
  • Publication Date: Nov 2015
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Achieving the Istanbul Programme of Action by 2020

Achieving the Istanbul Programme of Action by 2020 focuses on four specific themes: structural transformation and export diversification in the LDCs; prospects of graduation of countries from the LDC group; implications of the 2030 Agenda in view of LDC concerns; and new challenges facing LDCs in their pursuit for achieving SDGs.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291484
  • Publication Date: Aug 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Capture Fisheries

This third volume in the Commonwealth Blue Economy Series, Capture Fisheries, describes challenges in managing capture fisheries, and strategies and activities that could be undertaken by SIDS to make improvements. Includes case studies illustrating positive actions that have been taken by SIDS and their outcomes.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291545
  • Publication Date: Sep 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Small States

This unique annual collection of key economic and statistical data on small states is an essential reference for economists, planners and policy-makers. This volume contains 17 tables covering development indicators and an article focusing on climate change impacts, adaptation and policies for agriculture in African small states.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291583
  • Publication Date: Oct 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

A Sustainable Future for Small States

Resina Katafono

This publication reviews seven sectors that can catalyse economic development in the Commonwealth Pacific: political governance; development effectiveness and co-ordination; oceans governance; non-communicable diseases; ICT and connectivity; migration and climate change; and energy, and offers policy solutions to address these challenges.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291637
  • Publication Date: Sep 2017
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Commonwealth Legislative Drafting Manual

Roger Rose

The Commonwealth Legislative Drafting Manual guides the practitioner step by step through the various things he or she needs to know. It also contains a series of appendices relating to the procedure for the preparation of legislation, the contents of drafting instructions, and some hints to the beginner on the best approaches to the task.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291699
  • Publication Date: Nov 2017
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Youth Work in the Commonwealth

Youth Work in the Commonwealth: A Growth Profession aims to help countries learn from good practices, and assess gaps in establishing youth work as a recognised profession in diverse contexts.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291736
  • Publication Date: Sep 2017
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Judicial Resource Book on Violence Against Women for Asia

Niaz A. Shah

The Judicial Resource Book on Violence Against Women for Asia deepens our understanding of the forms of VAWG and raises awareness of the role that the judiciary can play in tackling them. It can be used by judicial officers and other professionals to promote justice and fairness in the judicial process for women who have been victims of violence.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291750
  • Publication Date: Mar 2018
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

A Handbook for Gender-Inclusive Elections in Commonwealth Africa

A Handbook for Gender-Inclusive Elections in Commonwealth Africa: Achieving 50:50 by 2030 reviews the systems, legislation and best practice that will need to be implemented and effectively monitored to get more women into politics and help to realise Sustainable Development Goal 5 – achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291781
  • Publication Date: Apr 2018
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days