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.

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

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

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

Building the Resilience of Small States

Denny Lewis-Bynoe

This study refines and expands the Commonwealth resilience framework, developed to measure the resilience of small states' economies to adverse economic shocks, natural disasters and extreme weather events. It proposes policy measures for building resilience, and the areas in which key development partners can provide support.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291286
  • Publication Date: Sep 2014
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Antigua and Barbuda General Election, 12 June 2014

The 2014 general election was conducted in a peaceful, credible and transparent manner. Voter turnout was high and the Mission commended the Electoral Commission on its management of the entire electoral process. The report makes a number of recommendations for consideration ahead of the next elections.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291316
  • Publication Date: Sep 2014
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Commonwealth Trade Review 2015

Fundamental changes are taking place in the global trade landscape, and the Commonwealth, with its diverse membership, is adapting to and coming to terms with these changes. Offering insightful perspectives on topical issues that can contribute to promoting the role of trade in development, Commonwealth Trade Review 2015 addresses these issues.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291453
  • Publication Date: Nov 2015
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The Blue Economy and Small States

Island nations have benefited from their ocean resources, with marine uses and activities contributing to their economic development. There is a growing appreciation of the critical role oceans play in sustainable economic growth and the need to manage and protect coastal and marine ecosystems that are the fundamental basis for that growth.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291569
  • Publication Date: Sep 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

The Commonwealth at the Summit, Volume 4

The Commonwealth at the Summit: Volume 4 brings together the full text of declarations, statements and communiqués issued by Commonwealth Heads of Government between 2007 and 2015.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291576
  • Publication Date: Nov 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Global Youth Development Index and Report 2016

The Commonwealth's 2016 Global Youth Development Index and Report is an overview of the development of young people (aged 15 -30) in 183 countries, including 49 Commonwealth countries. It analyses 18 indicators across five domains -- education, health and well-being, employment and opportunity, political participation and civic participation.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291590
  • Publication Date: Oct 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

A Handbook on Regional Integration in Africa

Brendan Vickers

This publication advises and informs on current dynamics, opportunities, challenges and policy options for Africa's regional integration agenda. It is a unique resource for supporting capacity-building on African regional trade issues.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291675
  • Publication Date: Apr 2017
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days