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 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

Social Policies in Seychelles

Liam Campling

This book provides comprehensive analysis of social policy development in Seychelles, focusing on the political and economic developments that have led to the current situation. The challenge now is to maintain current levels of social policy interventions in the face of severe indebtedness and the stagnation of economic growth.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290654
  • Publication Date: Dec 2011
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working 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

Social Policies in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Biman Chand Prasad

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are two small states that have struggled to develop successful social policies since independence. This study traces their social histories and examines factors that have hindered progress. Future development requires a move away from traditional social structures and a focus on political stability and economic growth.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290838
  • Publication Date: Jul 2012
  • 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

Anticipatory Social Protection

Marilyn Waring

This publication will help policy-makers and development practitioners to make informed decisions about programme design and delivery so that beneficiaries' access to and participation in social protection mechanisms are fully realised.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290951
  • Publication Date: Oct 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

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

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. Contains 65 tables covering development indicators and an article focusing on the role of data and statistics.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291255
  • Publication Date: Jun 2014
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Maldives Presidential Elections, 7 September, 9 November and 16 November 2013

The report of the Commonwealth Observer Group for Maldives's presidential election held on 7 September, the re-run election held on 9 November, and the run-off election held on 16 November 2013. The Group was chaired by Dr Lawrence Gonzi, former Prime Minister of Malta, and was comprised of 17 members in total.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291262
  • Publication Date: Feb 2014
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days