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.

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

Uganda General Elections, 18 February 2016

The report of the Commonwealth Observer Group for Uganda presidential election held on 18 February 2016, chaired by former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo. The group concluded that Uganda has fallen well short of meeting many of the key democratic benchmarks for the conduct of credible elections.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291538
  • Publication Date: Jul 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Marine Renewable Energy

This fourth volume in the Commonwealth Blue Economy Series, Marine Renewable Energy, explores the potential for the development of the blue economy by providing a high-level review of actions needed to progress marine renewable energy generation in SIDS.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291552
  • Publication Date: Sep 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Key Issues in Natural Resource Taxation and Revenue Management in the Commonwealth

Daniel Wilde

This Economic Paper analyses key issues in natural resource taxation and revenue management and recommends policies that can improve countries' economic performance. The discussion draws on economic theory, empirical evidence and the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291606
  • Publication Date: Oct 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Enhancing the Contribution of Sport to the Sustainable Development Goals

Iain Lindsey

This guide builds on the work of previous Commonwealth publications analysing the role of sport in achieving sustainable development. Aimed at governmental policy-makers and other stakeholders, it provides evidenced and balanced policy options supporting the effective contribution of sport towards six prioritised Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291651
  • Publication Date: Apr 2017
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Emerging Trade Issues for Small Developing Countries

Teddy Y. Soobramanien

This publication seeks to help Commonwealth developing countries adapt to emerging trade issues such as climate change, e-commerce, implementation of the SDGs, and the role of Micro, Small and Medium-sized enterprises and GVCs . It addresses systemic issues that impact on the participation in the multilateral trading system and WTO negotiations.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291729
  • Publication Date: Sep 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

Small States Economic Review and Basic Statistics, Volume 20

Small States: Economic Review and Basic Statistics is a flagship publication of the Commonwealth Secretariat highlighting the development indicators of small states and disseminating knowledge on their economic performance.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291774
  • Publication Date: Apr 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

The Economic Cost of Violence Against Women and Girls

A framework to assess the economic cost of violence against women and girls that captures linkages and secondary effects to assess the full impact of VAWG. Data gathered will be useful for reporting on SDG5 and SDG16, assess national statistical systems, and measure progress across all of the SDGs in a manner that is inclusive and fair.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291873
  • Publication Date: Jul 2019
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Overview of Youth Development in Ghana

This book makes recommendations for how Ghana can mainstream youth issues in its development strategies, providing baseline evaluations of socio-economic issues that particularly affect the youth demographic, such as underemployment, a lack of access to quality education and poverty.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291972
  • Publication Date: Apr 2021
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Commonwealth Trade Review 2021

Commonwealth Trade Review 2021, 'Energising Commonwealth Trade in a Digital World: Paths to Recovery Post-COVID', presents empirical findings of the impact of the pandemic and proposals to boost trade recovery and resilience, by harnessing digital technologies, post-Brexit trading opportunities, and promoting sustainable green and blue economies.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291996
  • Publication Date: Jul 2021
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Economic, Social & Cultural Rights in Practice

Yash Ghai

Examines the record of jurisdictions in which attempts have been made at judicial enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights. Contributions provide insights into the methods, specificity, and limits of judicial enforcement.

  • Imprint: Interights Publishing
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781869940270
  • Publication Date: May 2004
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working 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 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

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