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.

Assessment of Debt Restructuring Operations in Commonwealth Small States

Michele Robinson

This paper highlights the concerns of Commonwealth small states about unsustainable debt burdens and the emerging challenges to their overall debt sustainability. It offers key lessons learned from Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Seychelles.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291354
  • Publication Date: May 2015
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

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

This annual collection of key economic and statistical data is essential reading for economists, planners and policy-makers working on issues of concern to small states. This volume covers overseas development assistance and Post-2015 financing for development in small states; and contains 17 tables covering development indicators.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291439
  • Publication Date: Nov 2015
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

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
  • 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

A Sustainable Future for Small States

Resina Katafono

This publication reviews seven sectors that can catalyse economic development in the Commonwealth Pacific: political governance; development effectiveness and co-ordination; oceans governance; non-communicable diseases; ICT and connectivity; migration and climate change; and energy, and offers policy solutions to address these challenges.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291637
  • Publication Date: Sep 2017
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Commonwealth Legislative Drafting Manual

Roger Rose

The Commonwealth Legislative Drafting Manual guides the practitioner step by step through the various things he or she needs to know. It also contains a series of appendices relating to the procedure for the preparation of legislation, the contents of drafting instructions, and some hints to the beginner on the best approaches to the task.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291699
  • Publication Date: Nov 2017
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

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
  • 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

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

The CARIFORUM and Pacific ACP Economic Partnership Agreements

Christopher Stevens

A report on the CARIFORUM and Pacific ACP Economic Partnership Agreements that analyses the detailed implications for the economies of the countries involved of commitments signed or initialled, including an indication of the broad country and region-wide effects.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290005
  • Publication Date: Feb 2009
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Without Prejudice

Meena Shivdas

CEDAW - the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women - is a powerful international human rights instrument that reflects a global determination to achieve gender equality. This book looks at the cultural and legal challenges relating to the implementation of CEDAW, and the individual approaches adopted.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290135
  • Publication Date: Jun 2010
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Commonwealth Teacher Qualifications Comparability Table

James Keevy

Includes the comparability tables that offer country-country analysis of primary and secondary teacher qualifications offered in 35 Commonwealth countries.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290159
  • Publication Date: Feb 2010
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days