Events

From Malaysia to the Maldives, South Africa to Sri Lanka...

Events at the RCS in recent months have attracted record audiences. March saw the media launch of the Commonwealth Women's Antarctic Expedition.

On the eve of the G20 meeting in London, former President of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad spoke about 'Real Financial Fairness' to a packed auditorium. President of RCS Malaysia Branch, Datuk Feisol, offered the vote of thanks.

Mahathir was swiftly followed by the new President of the Maldives, HE Mohamed Nasheed who spoke about 'Embracing the Future' in his newly democratised country

As Jacob Zuma celebrated victory in South Africa's recent elections, former President FW de Klerk was at the RCS to outline his vision for the future of the country.

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Speaking Out

International comment from the RCS...

As an advocate for progress in the Commonwealth, we believe that the RCS has a role to play as a 'critical friend' of the association. In recent weeks, several comment pieces have been published in the international press. We hope that pieces such as these will encourage debate about the Commonwealth, raising its profile, as well as that of the RCS.

On Commonwealth Day, the RCS released the results of a UK poll which tested the public's knowledge and appreciation of the Commonwealth. Click here to see the Danny Sriskandarajah's column in The Guardian.

Click here to read a column which ran in the Sydney Morning Herald and several other Australian papers in May. And click here to read a piece published in the Trindiad Guardian ahead of the Secretary-General's visit to the country.

If you have any comments or feedback, please email Danny.

Commonwealth Day

Celebrating the Commonwealth's 60th anniversary

Celebrating Commonwealth Day - and the Commonwealth's 60th birthday - on March 9, the RCS held a multi-faith Observance in Westminster Abbey.

Attending the lively service were The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh; UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah; Foreign & Commonwealth Secretary, David Miliband and his Opposition counterpart, William Hague; and President Museveni of Uganda. Musical performances and readings focussed on the theme of young people and their role in the modern Commonwealth.

On the same day, the RCS hosted a group of 60 young people who learnt more about the Commonwealth in a series of interactive workshops. This event was opened by Lord Malloch-Brown.

For details of how RCS Branches around the world celebrated Commonwealth Day, see our Branches News Round-Up below...

RCS Western Australia Branch

The RCS Branch in Western Australia has existed in one form or another since 1954. We spoke to Branch President Mrs Joan Tonkin MBE JP about the aims, activities and aspirations of the Branch today.

Click here to find out more about the Branch, its members and activities. And click here to read the comments of a young member...

Branch News Round-up

Many RCS Branches celebrated Commonwealth Day on March 9. Click here to read about the unique ways in which the occasion was marked around the world.

RCS Cameroon has been involved in a regional consultation organised by the Commonwealth Foundation and Build UK bringing together civil society organisations from across West and Central Africa.

Australian Capital Territory have formed Friends of the Commonwealth in Canberra with the Commonwealth Round Table and Commonwealth Day Celebration Committee.

Montreal is supporting the Vutikalulu Centre for Sustainable Technology in Fiji.

The Commonwealth Peoples Association of Uganda took part in a Government Committee on climate change. The branch also organised a World TB Day School Debate attended by 260 students.

Leave a Legacy to the RCS

Some of the greatest challenges facing the world today are division, intolerance, inequality and conflict. At the RCS we use the Commonwealth's message of democracy, development, respect and understanding to educate and empower thousands of people across the world.

There are many ways you can help the RCS to continue providing skills and opportunities to young people. If the time is right, you could consider leaving a gift in your will, however large or small. For more information, click here.

You can also now donate directly to the RCS online by clicking here.

Thank you for your continuing support.