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.

Resource Guide on Decentralisation and Local Government

Zoë Scott

This topic guide provides practical guidance for designing, implementing and evaluating decentralisation reforms and local government practices to ensure they are as effective as possible. It includes summaries of key texts and provides links to cutting edge research and recent case studies.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290296
  • Publication Date: Jul 2011
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

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 3 articles focusing on public private partnerships.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290371
  • Publication Date: Jul 2011
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days

The Contract System of Employment for Senior Government Officials

Faamausili Dr Matagialofi Lua'iufi

This publication reviews the effects of the reforms implemented under the 'new public management' programme on the roles and conditions of service of permanent secretaries and directors in the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290531
  • Publication Date: Jul 2011
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Handbook of Best Practice for Registrars of Final/Appellate, Regional and International Courts and Tribunals

This user-friendly, practical handbook is designed to assist Registrars in the day-to-day performance of their duties, thereby contributing to improving the administration and efficiency of courts/ tribunals. It provides examples of good practice to help Registrars benefit from the challenges faced by others, from the Commonwealth and worldwide.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290579
  • Publication Date: May 2012
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Macroeconomic Policy Frameworks of Small States

Gérard Adonis

This book reviews the implementation of macroeconomic policies in Malta, identifying the key issues, lessons learnt and best practices which could be adapted by other small states. It also sets out the country's challenges for the future, including attending to the conflicting demands of environmental conservation and economic development.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290630
  • Publication Date: Sep 2011
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Seychelles Presidential Election, 19-21 May 2011

The Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group for the Seychelles Presidential Election. The Group was led by Dr Julian R Hunte, the former Foreign Minister of St Lucia, and comprised five eminent persons in total.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290678
  • Publication Date: Sep 2011
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Trade Effects of Rules on Procurement for Commonwealth ACP Members

Peter Trepte

This Economic Paper assesses the potential trade effects of rules on procurement policies in Commonwealth ACP countries. It provides a practical guide for policy-makers and negotiators to determine the impact of government procurement rules and policies taken at the national level or negotiated in trade agreements.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290692
  • Publication Date: Nov 2011
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Education for Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States

Matthew Hiebert

This study analyses good practices and gaps in education for sustainable development (ESD) implementation in ten small island states vulnerable to climate change. It provides practical and realistic recommendations on how ESD may be better integrated in education policy and strategy and delivered more comprehensively.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290906
  • Publication Date: Feb 2013
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

New Century Local Government

Graham Sansom

This collection of papers shows how the role of local government is evolving throughout the Commonwealth and provides practical examples of new local government at work. It showcases emerging practice, and highlights success stories from new ways of working and challenges confronting local government in both developed and developing countries.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290937
  • Publication Date: Sep 2013
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Assessing Aid for Trade

Dirk Willem te Velde

Aid for Trade has been an integral part of ODA since the WTO 2005 Ministerial. This volume of 16 papers provides a comprehensive review of the AfT initiative, examining effectiveness, current issues and future directions including an alternative way to improve trade for developing countries from Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stigliz.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291064
  • Publication Date: Nov 2013
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

The Impact of Women's Political Leadership on Democracy and Development

Farah Deeba Chowdhury

Describes barriers to women's political participation and explains why women's inclusion is crucial to democracy. It identifies strategies – electoral reform (New Zealand), party voluntary quotas (South Africa), and legislative quotas (Bangladesh and India) – that have helped to advance the participation of women in decision-making at all levels.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291095
  • Publication Date: Dec 2013
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Swaziland National Elections, 20 September 2013

The report of the Commonwealth Observer Mission for the Swaziland National Elections, held 20 September 2013. The Mission was led by Dr Bakili Muluzi, former President of the Republic of Malawi, and was comprised of 5 eminent persons.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291118
  • Publication Date: Jan 2014
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Cameroon Legislative and Municipal Elections, 30 September 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: 9781849291132
  • Publication Date: Jan 2014
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers in Developing Countries

Munawwar Alam

This research study examines different approaches to intergovernmental transfers (ICTs) in developing countries in the Commonwealth, and assesses their relative strengths and weaknesses. It includes detailed case studies of India and Kenya, lessons learned from IGT systems in Australia and the United Kingdom.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291170
  • Publication Date: Jul 2014
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Istanbul Programme of Action for the LDCs (2011-2020)

LDC IV Monitor's first reports provide an independent assessment of the status of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (IPoA). They aim to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency in the implementation of the IPoA leading towards the graduation of the least developed countries (LDCs).

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291200
  • Publication Date: Oct 2014
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Regional Integration in South Asia

Mohammad A. Razzaque

This volume presents an objective assessment of trade and economic co-operation among South Asian nations and highlights policy issues to foster regional integration. It presents insightful perspectives on potential new areas of co-operation, emerging challenges, and country-specific views on regional and bilateral trade co-operation issues.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291224
  • Publication Date: Nov 2014
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days