Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, often known simply as the Commonwealth, is a political association of 54 member states, nearly all of which are former territories of the British Empire. The head of the Commonwealth is Queen Elizabeth II.
Pronunciation
Commonwealth of Nations: /ˈkɒmənwelθ ɒv ˈneɪʃənz/
Etymology
The term "Commonwealth" comes from the old English word "commonweal", which translates to "public welfare". The term "Nations" refers to the collective of countries that are part of this association.
Related Terms
History
The Commonwealth dates back to the first half of the 20th century with the decolonisation of the British Empire through increased self-governance of its territories. It was formally constituted by the London Declaration in 1949, which established the member states as "free and equal".
Structure
The Commonwealth is not a political union, but an intergovernmental organisation in which countries with diverse social, political, and economic backgrounds are regarded as equal in status.
Functions
Its activities are carried out through the permanent Commonwealth Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and biennial meetings between Commonwealth Heads of Government.
Membership
Membership of the Commonwealth is voluntary and by consensus. Member states have no legal obligation one to another. Instead, they are united by language, history, culture, and their shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
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