When was commonwealth of nations established

She took up this role in April New Zealand hosted the meeting in The Commonwealth Foundation is a development organisation of the Commonwealth that aims to build the capacity of civil society across member states.

New Zealand is a founding member of the Commonwealth and we're actively involved in many of its activities. We've hosted many Commonwealth meetings and consultations. We're currently one of the nine members of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group CMAG , which was established at a meeting in Queenstown in to discuss and decide ways to deal with members that violate the Commonwealth values as set out in the Harare Declaration external link.

Since , New Zealanders have participated in many Commonwealth missions to observe elections in member countries. This includes voluntary contributions to a number of Commonwealth organisations including:. Find out more about New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships external link. These countries, many of them islands, are particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in the global economy and to natural disasters.

We appreciate the challenges of being relatively small and geographically isolated. New Zealand also has a direct interest in ensuring the Pacific region is economically prosperous and environmentally secure. The Gleneagles Declaration, discouraging sporting contacts with apartheid South Africa. September The Lancaster House conference leading to independence for Zimbabwe convenes in London.

Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group Report formally presented. At the conclusion, the assembled Commonwealth Heads of Government issue the Harare Declaration , adding the core principles and values of the core principles and values of the Commonwealth, detailing membership criteria, and redefining and reinforcing its purpose.

April Black majority rule in South Africa. South Africa rejoins the Commonwealth. Nigeria suspended from the Commonwealth following the sentencing to death of writer and activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and a group of fellow activists. Mozambique joins the Commonwealth, the first country without having had constitutional ties to an existing member.

The first games to be held in Asia. Thabo Mbeki becomes the first Commonwealth Chairperson-in-office. October Visit by Commonwealth ministers to Zimbabwe. Announcement that Zimbabwe has done little to honour commitments to end the crisis over seizures of land. Together we will support Maldives to realise its ambitions. Find out more. The Revised Agreed Memorandum on the establishment and functions of the Commonwealth Secretariat was first published at the conclusion of the meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers in London.

Later amended by member governments following the meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government in Australia, it was most recently revised following the enactment of the International Organisations Bill in the United Kingdom, April The modern Commonwealth came into being 70 years ago with the London Declaration , signed on 26 April, Across the Commonwealth, organisations are celebrating the 70th Anniversary with a series of events, conferences, competitions and workshops throughout the next year.

All Commonwealth Declarations. So with the deliberate focus on reaching a young audience the second Monday in March was selected as one when all Commonwealth children would be in school. Thus 14 March became the first simultaneous observance across all the Commonwealth. Site search. The early Commonwealth Over time different countries of the British Empire gained different levels of freedom from Britain. Birth of the modern Commonwealth The Dominions and other territories of the British Empire gradually became fully independent of the United Kingdom.

Commonwealth library and archive The Commonwealth library and archives are available for historical research and study at Marlborough House in London.