Conclusion
The reach of the Commonwealth and the diversity of its membership place it in a good position to build consensus around global challenges. As an association of 54 member-states, made up of people from diverse ethnic, religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, the Commonwealth has a tremendous potential to articulate the shared concerns of people across the world.
Although the Commonwealth is well positioned to speak out on global issues, the Commonwealth’s credibility depends on its ability to uphold its values and pursue its aspirations. In the Perth CHOGM Communiqué, leaders stressed that the Commonwealth and its member-states must work harder at defending the shared values and principles of the association, and recommended ways to enhance the Commonwealth’s mission and mandate.
The proposal to establish a Commonwealth Charter is part of the broader objective of revitalizing the association and ensuring its continued relevance in a rapidly changing world. That the Commonwealth cannot be all things to all people was reflected in the Perth Communiqué and the Eminent Persons Group report. Based on its history and membership, the Commonwealth has developed particular strengths, or comparative advantages, that could feature more explicitly in its eventual Charter.
The Committee believes that the proposed Charter can be an inspirational document that has moral standing in Commonwealth countries. However, in order to achieve maximum appeal and impact, the Commonwealth Charter should be shorter and focus on the Commonwealth’s comparative advantages and the values and principles that are central to its mandate. By clearly outlining its core values and aspirations, the Charter has the potential to be an important tool for strengthening the Commonwealth’s capacity to promote democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule of law.
The consultation process on the Charter provides an opportunity for the people of the Commonwealth to create a document that they have ownership of. However, if the Charter is to resonate with all Commonwealth people, it is important that the consultation process not be seen as one group of countries imposing its values on others. The equal participation of countries large and small, industrialized and developing, is critical to the process of drafting a Charter that is reflective of the values and aspirations of all Commonwealth people.
Establishing a Charter presents an opportunity for the peoples of the Commonwealth to come together behind a document that not only explains what the Commonwealth is, but also where the Commonwealth wants to go. The Committee is hopeful that the process of consultation on the Charter can make a significant contribution to revitalizing the Commonwealth. In the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, the establishment of a Commonwealth Charter would carry special significance. This is an opportune moment in the history of the Commonwealth and the citizens of the Commonwealth should seize it.