RRX is conducting preliminary research into next generation British Commonwealth.

In future global scenarios the next generation British Commonwealth or just Commonwealth, if one prefers, will likely it seems play a significant role. Historically the British Commonwealth evolved from the old British Empire, as a set of nation states with mutual interests and shared history.

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The birth of the modern Commonwealth was set in train with the independence of India and Pakistan from Britain in 1947. India’s desire two years later to become a republic, thus cutting its constitutional ties with the British monarchy while staying within the Commonwealth, was the starting point. In the London Declaration of 1949, the word ‘British’ was dropped from the association’s title to reflect the Commonwealth’s new reality and India was accepted as the first republican member in a “free”, that is voluntary, association. At the same time, King George VI became the Commonwealth’s first Head. Commonwealth Prime Ministers arrived at a formula which removed the requirement that member countries have the British Monarch as their Head of State while stating that all recognised the King (then George VI) as “the symbol of their free association and as such Head of the Commonwealth.”

So exceptional was the spirit of accommodation on all sides in reaching this agreement that the Indian Prime Minister, Jawarhalal Nehru, was moved to say at the time that the Commonwealth could bring “a touch of healing” to the management of contemporary world problems.

In 1957, Ghana became the first country ruled by an African majority to become independent; Jamaica was the first to claim independence in the Caribbean in 1962; and Samoa the first among countries in the Pacific (excluding Australia and New Zealand), also in 1962.

Committed to racial equality and national sovereignty, the Commonwealth became the natural association of choice for many new nations emerging out of decolonisation in the 1950s and 1960s. Issues of racial justice and freedom were then at the forefront. In 1971, Heads of Government at their meeting in Singapore declared their belief in peace, liberty and human dignity, equal rights and democracy. At the same time they abhorred racial prejudice, colonial domination and wide disparities of wealth.

In this, the Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles, the Heads said: “We believe that international co-operation is essential to remove the causes of war, promote tolerance, combat injustice and secure development … We are convinced that the Commonwealth is one of the most fruitful associations for these purposes … (and that it can) provide a constructive example of the multi-national approach which is vital … (and) based on consultation, discussion and co-operation.”

Expanding on this framework, at the 1991 summit in Zimbabwe, the Harare Commonwealth Declaration adopted by Heads of Government set the association firmly on a new course: that of promoting democracy and good governance, human rights and the rule of law, and sustainable economic and social development. At the 2002 summit, priority areas of concern were identified and a plan of action agreed.

Over the years, the network of Commonwealth non-government organisations and other civil society groups has grown, making up what many describe as the unofficial or “people’s Commonwealth.” The Commonwealth family is thus a partnership of governments and of peoples.

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The emerging modern context of high performance networks between all of the Commonwealth nation states, implies significant potential for future joint projects.

Notably one might also speculate that ongoing cultural exchanges, athletic games, and conferences will form the basis for the next generation Commonwealth system.