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Updated 23 August 2008
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has expressed his “great sadness” at the death of Zambian President Dr Levy Mwanawasa in Paris on 19 August 2008
“Dr Mwanawasa was an illustrious son of Africa, who had great vision for the peace, progress and prosperity of the continent and devoted his life to the attainment of these goals,” Mr Sharma said.
“He was deeply devoted in particular to the Commonwealth’s goals of delivering development and prosperity to all, as well as its ideals of democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule of law. He strove hard to implement those objectives in Zambia and the region, especially in his role as the Chairman of the Southern African Development Community.
“His death is a grievous loss to Africa, the Commonwealth and the international community. The entire Commonwealth family grieves with the people of Zambia at this difficult time.
The 59-year-old President suffered a stroke in June.
Mr Sharma held talks with President Mwanawasa at a SADC summit on poverty and development in Mauritius in April this year, shortly after taking office.
In a letter to Acting President Rupiah Banda, Mr Sharma said: “My sincere condolences to you, to the Government and people of Zambia and to the bereaved family.”
Students from across Asia are sponsored by the Commonwealth Youth Programme to attend five-year training programme
‘Bonding Beyond Boundaries Through Sport’ is a programme set up by the Commonwealth Youth Programme in April 2007 which sponsors six young athletes who come from across Asia to attend the prestigious Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association.
Among the 400 children who train here, 30 are provided with everything from clothing to accommodation so they can attend the five-year training programme, which would otherwise not be possible due to financial constraints. Six of these 30 children – from Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Maldives and Sri Lanka - are sponsored by the Commonwealth Youth Programme’s Asia Centre.
One of these young players, 15-year-old Aiman Abdullah, returned home to Brunei last year to compete in Pesta Sukan – the national tennis games in the country. He came away with a silver medal in the Men’s Singles and two gold medals from the Men’s Team and Men’s Doubles events.
Gary O’Brien, Director of Coaching, goes through a post-match analysis with the students. He says that more than making the children the best players in India, his aim is to make them the best players in their own countries, so they can have a positive impact on sport when they return.
Every few weeks the academy organises outings, such as cinema trips, so the students can relax and spend some time away from an intense schedule.
Their days begin with a 5.30 wake up call, which sets them up for lessons until mid-afternoon, when tennis and fitness training take over. The day draws to a close at 10.30 after an hour’s homework.
“Losing is a part of the game. If you can’t learn how to lose then you can’t learn how to win,” says Maryam Raidha, 15, from Maldives (pictured).
The academy conducts regular assessments of the players’ development during the programme from fitness levels to medical status and academic progress.
Mr O'Brien says that one of the key goals is to strike a balance between tennis training and academic work. He explains that the set up aims to encourage children from different cultural backgrounds in “a home away from home”.
A shared foundation of understanding and trust
The collegiality, flexibility and trust between the Commonwealth and the Pacific Forum are founded on shared values and responses to collective challenges, said Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma.
Addressing the 39th Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Alofi, Niue, on 19 August 2008, the Secretary-General stressed that the Commonwealth remains committed in its work to promote democracy and development.
Mr Sharma said he would like to see further development in the Commonwealth's engagement in the Pacific in three areas, the first of which is continued assistance to small states in addressing challenges by helping to determine persistent vulnerabilities; by diagnosing creative and effective responses; and in building coalitions of collective strength of small states in the global arena.
The Secretary-General told Pacific Islands Forum leaders that the Commonwealth will continue to provide technical assistance to improve the capacity of the Pacific Islands in their trade policy development and trade negotiations in international forums, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) and regional trade agreements. A regional trade adviser has been placed at the Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji Islands, working closely with regional trade policy analysts deployed in various Pacific Island countries, working in tandem with governments.
Mr Sharma said the Commonwealth Secretariat also wished to explore the possibility of co-locating offices with the Forum Secretariat as the feasibility of establishing a Small States office in Geneva, Switzerland, is explored in order to facilitate access by such countries to UN agencies and the WTO headquarters.
The Secretary-General said the second area of the Commonwealth's focus is on the environment and the impacts of climate change. He stated that the Lake Victoria Climate Change Action Plan agreed upon by Commonwealth Heads of Government in Kampala, Uganda, in November 2007 is focused on mitigation and adaptation. Mr Sharma added that some Pacific Islands negotiators were brought together in a Commonwealth workshop in Windsor, UK, in May this year to strengthen their knowledge of issues and their capacity to promote national interests in preparation for the continued global negotiations on a post-Kyoto climate change regime.
"We are launching new programmes on land management and forestation. We are studying the environmental impact of exporting agricultural produce: the battles over exports are not now just about preferential tariffs and prices, but also about carbon footprints. We are ready to discuss with you national studies of options in environmental policies, should you find this useful," said Mr Sharma.
In addition to these, he added that the Commonwealth is supporting natural disaster management through the development by the Commonwealth Disaster Management Agency of a disaster management information portal, as well as an insurance proposal for compensation in the event of a predefined disaster.
The Secretary-General said the Commonwealth is also lobbying for stronger and more coherent global governance in the field of environment and development. A meeting of 11 Commonwealth leaders was held in London in June which called for the reform of global institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the UN Environment Programme to meet the needs of the 21st century. Mr Sharma said these institutions play a key role in development and in governing the environment.
The third area of Commonwealth focus with the Pacific in future is the development of information and partnership networks to link governments, civil society, businesses and individuals, said the Secretary-General. He stated that the Commonwealth aims to maximise the quality of its shared knowledge and wisdom. This was demonstrated in the publication of a report by the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding in 2007 titled 'Civil Paths to Peace'. The study led by Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen examined the causes of tension in societies brought about by religious, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, ageist, sexist and geographic differences. It pointed to the multiple identities that can bind people together in harmony and peaceful co-existence.
The Secretary-General said the Pacific is an important region of the Commonwealth. In particular, the Commonwealth remained engaged in Fiji Islands in pursuing the restoration of constitutional democratic government. Mr Sharma added that the new Commonwealth Pacific Governance Programme is aimed at supporting the governance pillar of the Pacific Plan, complementing the activities of the Forum Secretariat and other regional actors. He added that a project manager is being appointed under this programme, who will be based in Suva.
"The Commonwealth will continue to remain interested, concerned, supportive and active. I look forward to working with the new Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General. We will remain engaged in the spirit of collegiality, flexibility and trust," said Mr Sharma.
Young people from Asia define ‘good practices’ and determine how they can be implemented to promote respect and understanding across the Commonwealth
Waving his team-mate’s sandal in the air, Umair Yousaf proceeded to explain to participants at a Commonwealth workshop what a 'good practice' is.
Defining the term as 'a model for positive behaviour' Mr Yousaf, who works with AIESEC, a youth organisation based in Pakistan, used this shoe analogy to demonstrate how good practices in one country may not be applicable in others.
"Whilst people across the world have different sized feet, so too do people come from different cultures," he said.
As long as there is what Dr Fatiha Serour, Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, termed 'flexibility for replicability' there is no reason why people across the world cannot benefit from sharing models of 'shoes' - good practices - as long as they take account of differences that exist.
"Today's world is a time of sharing knowledge and information, which are basic ingredients that can bring about development in a number of areas," said Farzana Ayub, 23, who works as a Regional Youth Caucus representative in Pakistan.
"Governments, civil society organisations and NGOs can achieve more by working together, but they must recognise differences in culture, race and attitude and accept them as strengths. In doing so, good practices can be shared across the world.
"As long as there is a common respect and understanding of societies, different groups can learn and benefit from each other."
This idea of promoting respect and understanding was central to this workshop for young people from Commonwealth Asian countries, which took place in Chandigarh, India, between 11 and 14 August 2008.
At their meeting in Malta in 2005, Commonwealth Heads of Government affirmed the importance of promoting tolerance, respect, enlightened moderation and friendship among people of different races, faiths and cultures. They then requested the Commonwealth Secretary-General to explore initiatives to promote mutual understanding and respect - the overarching theme of the youth workshop - among faiths and communities in the Commonwealth.
Don McKinnon, then Secretary-General, consequently set up a Commission on Respect and Understanding headed by Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, which produced a report - Civil Paths to Peace - focusing on the problem of group-based violence and its impact on communities, and advocating solutions based on individuals' multiple identities.
After endorsing this report last November, Heads also requested that "options be explored for drawing Commonwealth young people in practical ways into efforts to support the recommendations of the Report."
In response to this request, the workshop was a step towards engaging young people, governments and civil society in promoting peace and understanding across the Commonwealth.
Comprehensive analysis would help efforts to ensure development is mainstreamed in this international organisation
Ransford Smith, the Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General, has urged the World Trade Organization (WTO) to undertake an evaluation of the impact of its activities and efforts on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
This would help to mainstream development in the organisation, he suggested at the end of a two-day international trade conference held in New Delhi, India.
While addressing the conference on this subject, Mr Smith added that "it is important to recognise the great progress and value that the WTO has made in promoting growth in the global economy."
The conference brought together senior ministers, trade negotiators and other leading thinkers to consider the 'Global Partnership for Development', the eighth Millennium Development Goal.
In part, this MDG calls for the special needs of the least developed countries to be addressed. "This includes tariff- and quota-free access for their exports; enhanced debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries; cancellation of official bilateral debt; and more generous official development assistance for countries committed to poverty reduction," it states.
Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the WTO, who took part in the conference, said that the mere existence of a system of rules within the organisation is in itself a major contribution to development. "It is the difference between the law of the jungle and the regulated system."
He went on to acknowledge that Development within Trade is a much more complex issue than it was 10 to 20 years ago. "Today Development is not a one size fits all," he observed, adding that this could be seen during the trade talks in Geneva last month during difficult discussions on areas such as market access.
Experiences from Commonwealth small states that have pioneered the electronic delivery of public services are outlined in new Commonwealth publication
The benefits and challenges facing small states in implementing e-government initiatives are addressed in a new publication from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
'Information and Communication Technologies for the Public Service: A Small States Focus'provides lessons and experiences from a number of Commonwealth small states that have pioneered the electronic delivery of public services. It also recommends steps that can be taken to move the deployment of e-governance forward.
Many governments around the world, particularly from the developed world, already utilise information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the networking opportunities they provide to fully modernise their respective systems as well as delivery of services.
A desire by developing Commonwealth countries to implement similar ICT strategies is complicated by a lack of finances and trained personnel with which to build the infrastructure, and the wider public's lack of connectivity to access such electronic services.
The book, edited by Devindra Ramnarine and RoseMarie-Rita Endeley, an Adviser on the Caribbean and Mediterranean regions at the Secretariat, concludes that despite these challenges e-government is here to stay and cannot be ignored.
E-governance is expected to bring about fully fledged participatory democracy, where the citizens are regularly involved in policy development. It would also result in more efficient service delivery in terms of allowing online payment of taxes, fees, fines and distribution of particular benefits.
The authors caution, however, that "the public will only find this acceptable if files and databanks are not cross-referenced or used for enforcement of policies extraneous to the purpose for which the data is collected."
The publication goes on to explain that the popularity of e-commerce, such as credit card processing, online catalogues and shopping, was one reason why ICTs came into government use in developing countries.
Another reason outlined is the success of electronic government in developed countries which can be seen with the transition from the use of e-mail to facilitating electronic voting.
"The public sector in many Commonwealth countries has undertaken a variety of e-governance and e-government projects to exploit the use of information and communication technology," writes Jacqueline Wilson, the Secretariat’s Director of Governance, in the foreword to this book.
"While there are significant benefits associated with these large and complex change initiatives, there are also many challenges that will be encountered during the journey toward e-governance and e-government."
HOW TO ORDER
This title can be bought through booksellers or online at http://publications.thecommonwealth.org/information-and-communication-technologies-for-the-public-service-569-p.aspx.
A full catalogue of Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation publications can be viewed on the website, which provides a secure online buying facility. Orders can also be made through email or by post. Pre-payment is essential. Payment by sterling cheque drawn on a UK bank, international money order, postal order or bank draft must accompany your order. Cheques should be made out to York Publishing Services.
If you require the order form as an attachment in Word format please email the Publications Section (see address below). Post and packaging charges should be added to every order in the following way: UK orders: 15 per cent of order value (minimum charge £2.00). Non-UK orders: 25 per cent of order value (minimum charge £3.50).
Send orders to: Publications Section, Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6534; Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081; Email: publications@commonwealth.int.
Representatives from youth organisations met at the Commonwealth’s headquarters to address threats posed by climate change
A roundtable discussion hosted by the Commonwealth Youth Programme took place at Marlborough House, London, on International Youth Day 2008.
Twelve young people from youth organisations across the United Kingdom discussed the role youth can play in addressing the threats posed by climate change. They were asked for their input on what the Commonwealth Youth Programme's top priorities should be relating to climate change as well as proposed strategies to achieve these aims.
At the opening of the discussion, Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Director of Economic Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat, told participants: "If we do not act quickly and decisively as a global community now, in your lifetime, there will certainly be catastrophic consequences."
Suggestions from the group included encouraging schools, churches, and communities to increase their involvement as well as making targeted appeals to a wide range of groups by making the effects of climate change relevant for them.
They also suggested providing financial incentives for young people to create sustainable and climate-friendly businesses; sending electronic signatures to politicians to elicit support for change; and using so-called social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace to spread information and generate increased awareness and interest in climate change.
One of the participants was Jacob Rix, a 17-year-old member of the British Youth Parliament. "I think that climate change is perhaps the biggest challenge facing our generation. It is going to be us that live with the consequences, not the adults," he said.
"We need to start taking action now. It's the little things we do like turning off our light switches, putting the television on standby, but also putting pressure on governments and international organisations that can actually reduce our carbon footprint."
Melody Hossaini, Project Officer of the National Youth Agency, who was also present throughout the day, added: "We never can underestimate the power that we can hold, the difference that we can make.
"What it comes down to is that I am responsible, you are responsible and we are responsible. Not just government, not just policy-makers on climate change. It's everybody."
Many of the views expressed by the participants will be relayed to Commonwealth education ministers when they meet in June 2009.
The Commonwealth Foundation will also create spaces for young people on a soon-to-be-created Environment Commission so that their views can be included.
"We want to feed some of your recommendations about how to effectively engage young people more in this debate into this commission," said Vijay Krishnarayan, Deputy Director of the Foundation.
Their recommendations will also guide the Commonwealth Youth Programme's new four-year strategic plan, which is currently being drafted.
Kamalesh Sharma welcomed in Maori ceremony in Wellington
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma was given a Maori ceremonial welcome to New Zealand in its capital, Wellington, on 18 August 2008.
The Secretary-General, who is on his first official visit to New Zealand, held talks with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Margaret Wilson. She is also President of the New Zealand branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Their talks revolved around the issue of interaction among parliamentarians in the Commonwealth and the vital role of governance, democracy and the rule of law.
The Secretary-General also met senior foreign affairs officials to discuss progress in implementing political mandates set at the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala in 2007, as well as the reform of international institutions and support for small states in responding to the challenges of climate change. There was also discussion on developments in Fiji Islands ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Niue, and the September meeting in New York of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group.
In a meeting with the Executive Director of the New Zealand Agency for International Aid (NZAID), Dr Peter Adams, and his senior officials, Mr Sharma outlined his desire to work more closely with NZAID to strengthen governance, enhance development assistance and improve growth and the capacities of Commonwealth countries through greater co-ordination and coherence in technical assistance programmes.
They discussed the role of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation and its capacity-building programmes for the Pacific region. NZAID provides £1.5 million annually to the Commonwealth Fund, and a further £240,000 a year to fund the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), which is targeted at improving skills and opportunities for young people. The Commonwealth Secretariat manages four regional CYP youth centres - in Solomon Islands for the Pacific region; India for the Asia region; Guyana for the Caribbean region; and Zambia for the Africa region.
Also on 18 August, Mr Sharma delivered the 7th Annual Foreign Policy Lecture to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.
The Secretary-General was scheduled to meet his Special Representative Sir Paul Reeves and Foreign Minister Winston Peters in Auckland on 19 August, before heading to the 39th Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Alofi, Niue, from 19 to 21 August.