“.... to make laws for the Peace, Order, and good Government of Canada.” The Constitution Act (1867).
".....to make laws on any matter for the peace, order, development and good governance of Uganda" Uganda Constitution (1995).
Through the good offices of the Commonwealth Secretary General and the work of its agencies, the Commonwealth takes concrete steps to restore stability in the cases of civil strife and to resolve conflicts between states. Their activities help strengthen member countries’ capacity to promote its fundamental values outlined in the 1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles and the 1991 Harare Declaration. Key focus includes:
- addressing any underlying causes of tension to prevent conflict and sustain peaceful solutions
- strengthening a country’s ability to govern democratically, respect human rights and the rule of law
- providing a framework for peace and stability through the constitutional development processes
- securing accurate information about conflicts to develop appropriate resolutions
- supporting effective information sharing to help identify problems and find appropriate solutions
Latest News
Eurozone crisis live: Markets slide as Greek euro exit looms
May 15, 2012Chances of Greece leaving the eurozone are growing, as political leaders prepare for last-ditch coalition talks in Athens.The political crisis in Greece has sent shares falling again on Europe's stock markets. Helena Smith of ther Guardian newspaper, UK, reports...
Africa Progress Panel calls on African governments to drive towards Millennium Development Goals
May 14, 2012African leaders urged to launch 'big push' as inequality, marginalisation and disenfranchisement threaten MDG progress. The Africa Progress Panel, chaired by Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary general, said while the continent had made notable gains in the past decade, its record on poverty does not match its overall economic growth.
Commonwealth helps advance Political Integrity Legislation in the Solomon Islands
May 11, 2012The development of a Political Integrity Bill, aimed at improving political stability and the conduct of leaders in the Solomon Islands has made significant advances thanks to support from the Commonwealth Pacific Governance Facility (CPGF).
Weathering the storm, the Commonwealth and Maldives
May 09, 2012The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in its last meeting on 16 April warned that it will consider “stronger measures” if the terms and reference and composition of the Maldivian National Commission of Inquiry is not “amended within four weeks in a manner that is generally acceptable and enhances its credibility”.
The Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group in Fiji for democracy meeting
May 03, 2012Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) said the ministers gained a sense that Fiji was a country in transition, moving to put in place processes required for elections, which would take place by September 2014.
Commonwealth and The Gambia team up to to establish an anti-corruption commission
May 02, 2012In a tête-à-tête meeting with journalists before he ended his first visit after eight years to The Gambia, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said the organisation has “entered a new chapter in its history of reform and renewal”.
