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.

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 in the Multilateral Trading System

Teddy Y. Soobramanien

This study provides a fresh perspective on how measures can be taken to enhance the participation of small states and least developed countries (LDCs) in the multilateral trading system. It contributes to the ongoing general debate about reforming the World Trade Organization and global trade governance.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291392
  • Publication Date: Nov 2015
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Achieving a Resilient Future for Small States

Denny Lewis-Bynoe

Written by influential researchers and drawing on a wide cross-section of regional stakeholders and thought leaders, the study contains an assessment of the main challenges and opportunities for the Caribbean, scenario modelling of where it could be by 2050, and a vision for the region with sector specific goals of how to get there.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291460
  • Publication Date: Apr 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Election Management

Election Management: A Compendium of Commonwealth Good Practice is a guide for policy-makers and EMBs to the democratic values, principles and practices of the Commonwealth. It will assist governments, political parties and civil society to understand the role, functions and responsibilities of those tasked with delivering credible elections.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291477
  • Publication Date: Aug 2016
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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
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Common Law Legal Systems Model Legislative Provisions on Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing, Preventive Measures and Proceeds of Crime

The Common Law Legal Systems Model Legislative Provisions aims to enable Commonwealth countries to evaluate measures that can be incorporated into domestic law to prevent, detect, and effectively sanction money laundering and terrorism financing and to recover the proceeds of crime.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291507
  • Publication Date: Aug 2016
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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
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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
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Changing the Law

Changing the Law: A Practical Guide to Law Reform is designed to provide practical assistance to users seeking to deliver high standard law reform outcomes. Using examples and experience from around the Commonwealth and beyond, it guides users through each phase of a successful reform, from initiation to final implementation.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291743
  • Publication Date: Nov 2017
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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
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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
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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
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Alternative Development Strategies for SIDS

Kris Terauds

This Economic Paper builds on the 2014 SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action Pathway, which provides guidance on economic, environmental and social priorities in small island developing states. It offers detailed analysis and guidance on alternative economic development strategies and recommends policies to build competitiveness in new industries.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291989
  • Publication Date: Jul 2021
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days