Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018
2018-09-13 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Wales
Every two years, leaders of the Commonwealth meet to discuss current issues affecting the Commonwealth and its many diverse citizens. The meeting, known as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), was last held in April 2018, in London and included People’s, Women’s, Youth and Business Fora. It is this biennial event that is emulated through Model Commonwealth Summits or Model CHOGMs.
Model Commonwealth Summits operate much like a model UN scenario, with individuals acting as the heads of government of Commonwealth countries and engaging in discussions as their country would. Critically, country representatives in a Model Commonwealth Summit must reach a consensus on the issues discussed, adding a challenging element that is of great contemporary importance. This is a fun, active way of demonstrating how the Commonwealth works and allows students to actively participate in the learning process. It teaches presentation, research and critical thinking skills, as well as global awareness and cultural understanding. Some students are chosen for roles outside of country representation (including media, communique, and others), offering a diverse range of skill-building and appealing to a wide range of students.
The RCS has a historical track record in organising Model Commonwealth Summits, which was re-established in October 2015 with the Tower Hamlets Borough and Youth Councils and the Daneford Trust. The event was informed by the comprehensive chapter ‘Running a Commonwealth Youth Summit’ in the RCS Education Resource Pack Antigua to Zambia: Getting to Know Your Commonwealth which provides step-by-step guidance on the entire process of organising a model CHOGM.
Contact the Youth and Education team for more information about how to organise a Model Commonwealth Summit in your area.
MODEL COMMONWEALTH SUMMITS 2018
On 13 September 2018, 60 secondary-school students had the opportunity to act as Heads of Government for a day and take part in a series of debates at Media City UK, Manchester. The Royal Commonwealth Society, in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, Youth Charter and Elevation Networks, facilitated a model Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) where students discussed development challenges facing young people today including education, employment and preventing violent extremism.
The day provided an excellent opportunity for young people to engage with the Commonwealth – not only to learn about each of the 53 member states, but to experience how these countries engage with each other and work to achieve consensus. It was also an opportunity for young citizens of the Commonwealth to understand their role within this community and understand how they can play a part in shaping its future.
In addition to the key thematic debates, students discussed social cohesion, mental health, respect and understanding, climate change and many other critical topics affecting Commonwealth citizens. They came together to identify problems, solutions and important aspirations that reflected the needs and realities of all member states and ended with a resolution about how they would carry the Commonwealth forward.

One Flag, One People: Commonwealth Day 2019 in Cardiff
2019-03-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Cardiff Mansion House, Richmond Rd, Cardiff, CF24 3UN
Every year in March, the Royal Commonwealth Society of Wales hosts a flag raising event to celebrate Commonwealth Day. The Commonwealth flag comprises of the Commonwealth symbol in gold, displayed on a blue field. The symbol focuses on a globe, which stands for the global nature of the Commonwealth and the spread of its membership.
While the flag raising by itself is a simple act, its symbolic relevance cannot be underestimated, as it signifies the unity of 53 members states and their people.
On 11th March 2019, the Royal Commonwealth Society of Wales invited our team of six international students from Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture to the flag raising event at the prestigious Mansion House in Cardiff.
One of the first noticeable things is perhaps the presence of ethnic diversity in the room. As we were introduced to all the guests from different walks of life, I noticed one thing we all had in common, a welcoming smile that instantly gives the recipient a sense of belonging. All age groups alike, from Scouts and Girl Guides to Armed Forces Colonels were conversing, genuinely interested in the life of the other person. The interactions held around the room by different groups, some complete strangers, exuded a sense of oneness and unity.
The relevance of the Commonwealth flag, which was also raised in Commonwealth countries across the globe, became even more apparent, as people stood with a respectful demeanour to honour the flag and the values it stands for. It’s just a flag being put up, others might say, but that simple act deeply reiterates the 2019 theme: “A Connected Commonwealth”. It also tells the story of the bridges built for international trade, cross cultural exchange, diplomacy and importantly development. Commonwealth Day emphasises a legacy for future generations to coexist in peace without fear, because under that one flag we are one people.
See more of our day in Cardiff in our Gallery and on our Instagram @rcswales.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2019
2019-06-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Wales
The theme for 2019 is A Connected Commonwealth. The event was the first launch outside of the UK in many years, in the presence of Dr Greg Munro, RCS Chief Executive; Dr. Mary Ashun, Principal of Ghana International School; Mr Tom Hartley, Deputy High Commissioner to Ghana; HRH The Duchess of Cornwall; Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady of Ghana; Mr. Eric Kutortse, Chairman of First Sky Group and Serene Insurance; Edward Enninful Editor-In-Chief of British Vogue magazine and John Apea, RCS Regional Co-ordinator for Africa (pictured L-R above).
Building on the 2018 theme of Towards a Common Future, this year’s topics call upon young people to consider how they can work to use cultural, technological and environmental connections for positive change across the Commonwealth. It asks young people to consider the potential of the Commonwealth in strengthening the vast and varied links between citizens.
The Competition is an opportunity for all young Commonwealth citizens and residents, regardless of region, education or background, to share ideas, celebrate their story and have their voice heard – all whilst developing key skills. For 2019, we want to hear from more young people across the Commonwealth, all stories and voices are important.
The competition is open to all citizens and residents of the Commonwealth aged 18 and under and runs until 1 June 2019.
All entrants receive a Certificate of Participation and one Winner and Runner-up from the Senior and Junior categories will win a trip to London for a week of educational and cultural events. For more information about the competition, please see Terms and Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions.
TOPICS
SENIOR CATEGORY
Born between 2 June 2000 and 1 June 2005 (14-18 years of age)
‘You are the most optimistic, connected generation the world has ever known.’ HRH The Duke of Sussex. How can you use Commonwealth connections for positive change?
Connected by the oceans; can we work together to protect the environment?
‘We are all now connected by the Internet’ – Stephen Hawking. What does the future hold for humankind?
Family, Community, Nation, Commonwealth. What are the opportunities for shared, sustainable growth?
JUNIOR CATEGORY
Born on or after 2 June 2005 (under 14 years of age)
My cultural connections.
An overseas visitor is coming to your town for the first time. How would you connect with them?
A place I feel connected to.
The Commonwealth connects people across borders – what can we learn from our neighbours?
Judges described entries to the competition in 2018 as ‘‘fantastically imaginative’, ‘hopeful’, ‘quite exceptional’ and ‘passionate’. We expect a similarly high calibre of writing for 2019.
Keep up to date with the Competition on Twitter and Facebook. You can stay in touch with the RCS by signing up to our newsletter
HISTORY OF THE ESSAY COMPETITION
The RCS has a rich history of nurturing the creative talents of young people around the Commonwealth. We endeavour to promote literacy, expression and creativity by celebrating excellence and imagination. Run by the RCS since 1883, this international schools’ writing contest is a highly regarded and popular international education project.
In 2015, the contest was renamed ‘The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition’, in honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s role as both Head of the Commonwealth and Patron of The Royal Commonwealth Society.
The Society is grateful for the support of Claned, sponsor of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition. Claned is a cloud-based learning platform that maximizes learning outcomes by combining artificial intelligence, collaborative learning and world-class pedagogy based in Helsinki, Finland.

Celebrations at Cardiff Mansion House to mark Commonwealth Day 2020
2020-03-09 08:00 - 17:00 | Cardiff Mansion House, Richmond Rd, Cardiff, CF24 3UN
On 9th March 2020, a Commonwealth Day Flag Raising Ceremony was held at Cardiff Mansion House. It was hosted by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Dan De’Ath.
The Commonwealth Flag consists of a golden symbol centring on a globe. Each year on Commonwealth Day, the Royal Commonwealth Society of Wales celebrates the recognition and connection that is shared among all Commonwealth countries globally, coming together in this ceremony to hoist the flag.
“Such an event gives us the opportunity that we join together, and associate ourselves with more public expressions and appreciations of the Commonwealth,” said Councillor Dan De’Ath, addressing the importance of the ceremony during his welcome speech.
The acknowledgement and appreciation of an increasingly connected world were shared among guests. This was echoed in the deliverance of Her Majesty the Queen’s Commonwealth Day message by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Morfudd Meredith:
“On Commonwealth occasions, it is always inspiring to be reminded of the diversity of the people and countries that make up our worldwide family.”
The participants and guests of the ceremony ranged from students of Kings Monkton School to Armed Forces Colonels, displaying a diverse and friendly environment that embodies the spirit of the Commonwealth. Boyd Clack, the patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society of Wales was present and gave a heartfelt speech before the hoist of the flag. A team of five international students from the School of Journalism, Media and Culture at Cardiff University were also invited to celebrate the event.
Reverend Canon Stewart Lisk delivered a prayer for peace in our communities and the world, addressing the difficult situation posed by COVID-19, “We also pray particularly today, for those who are anxious as a result of the COVID-19 virus in many places of our world.” He called for people to show unity and kindness for one another in a challenging time.

RCS WALES 2020 YOUTH SUMMIT
2020-10-03 08:00 - 17:00 | Coleg Gwent, Cross Keys Campus, NP11 7ZA
Each year the Royal Commonwealth Society of Wales holds its annual Youth Summit for Welsh pupils. The Youth Summit is a fantastic event which engages young people from across Wales in the interest of democracy and provides the opportunity for pupils to get involved in global events.

The RCS Wales Youth Summit is supported by the Royal Armed Forces. Each year, the RAF tasks Youth Summit participants with designing a democratic response to a humanitarian mission as representatives of Commonwealth nations. The day consists of a welcoming ceremony delivered by an impassioned celebrity, followed by a morning dedicated to strategising and delegating. A themed lunch is provided before the pupils engage in the Summit for the afternoon.
Our annual Youth Summit is a great way to involve young Welsh people in the Commonwealth as it paves the way for a new generation of politicians and humanitarians. To sign up talk to your schools administration or email debbie@rcswales.org

Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Forum 2023
2023-05-24 09:00 - 2023-05-26 17:00 | Commonwealth HQ, London
The 3rd biennial Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Forum will take place in at the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarters in London from 24 – 26 May, under the theme “Aligning Ambition and Action towards Implementing an Inclusive Energy Transition.”

The three-day event will convene senior officials from across the Commonwealth in the energy sector, youth delegates, industry experts, partner organisations and private sector participants, to discuss approaches and strategies available to Commonwealth member countries for aligning ambitious energy transition goals with action on the ground.
Organised under the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) agenda, the Forum is a platform for collaborative action amongst the 56 member countries to accelerate the transition to low carbon energy systems.
Day 1
The first day will feature keynote speeches, presentations and panel discussions with high level speakers and industry representatives, followed by a reception. Sessions will focus on:

Implementing a Just & Inclusive Energy Transition
Scaling up Mature Solutions and Enabling Innovations in Clean Energy Technology
Creating the Enabling Environment for Accelerating the Energy Transition

Day 2
A closed-door plenary will take place for delegates from Commonwealth member states with presentations from different countries on individual pathways, progress and challenges. Dedicated sessions will cover:

Country presentations and experiences
Progress from CSET Action groups
Role of young people and gender equality in the energy transition

Day 3
The third day will focus on solutions to unlock public and private sector funding for the energy transition. Discussions will be held under Chatham House rules to encourage interactive, open and robust exchanges. Sessions will cover:

Financing the energy transition
Plenary session on key takeaways from the Forum

For more information about the event, please contact Commonwealth International.

Commonwealth NDC Webinar Series
2023-05-31 14:30 - 18:00 | Webinar Online
The Commonwealth Secretariat through its Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub supports member countries in accessing climate finance to support climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience efforts, thereby contributing towards the implementation of their Nationally Determined Contributions.

Under the NDC Partnership’s Climate Action Enhancement Package (CAEP) Partnership Action Fund (PAF) initiatives, the Commonwealth Secretariat delivered targeted support for the enhancement and implementation of NDCs in five member countries since 2021, namely Belize, Eswatini, Grenada, Jamaica and Zambia, through the provision of in-country technical expertise.
This Commonwealth NDC Webinar series, in collaboration with the NDC Partnership, seeks to support the accumulation and transfer of critical knowledge across countries and regions based on these experiences and the wider programming of the Secretariat, for the replication and scaling up of innovative and successful climate action projects and initiatives.
Under each webinar below is a selection of useful related documents.
Webinar 4: Resource Mobilisation for NDC Implementation: Experiences and Lessons from Commonwealth Countries 31 May 2023, 2:30pm – 4:00pm BST
Resource mobilisation is a critical component and pre-requisite to addressing climate change. It is even more pertinent for small and other vulnerable nations disproportionately affected by the adverse impacts of climate change.
Grenada, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) with unique vulnerabilities to climate change has therefore prioritised resource mobilisation to implement its ambitious climate targets as depicted in its second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
This webinar seeks to share learning and experiences across the Commonwealth on planning, strategising and applying resource mobilisation actions for NDC Implementation.

Memorial Service For Minority Ethnic & Commonwealth Servicemen & Women
2023-11-14 09:30 - 11:30 | Cathays Park, Cardiff, 19 King Edward VII Ave, Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, United Kingdom
The Chairman of the Royal Commonwealth Society Mr Rogeiro Verma said: “This is a historic moment that will ensure that for years to come, the families of commonwealth citizens who gave their lives in the World Wars and those who were left behind will know that Wales honours their sacrifices and recognises their selfless contributions and legacy.

Commonwealth Day: Service of Celebration
2024-03-11 | Westminster Abbey, London, SW1P 3PA
Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Commonwealth Day Service is the world’s premier, public event to celebrate the Commonwealth of Nations and provides an opportunity to focus attention on this voluntary association of 56 countries and their commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law and equality for its 2.5 billion citizens.
​This annual event, held at Westminster Abbey, celebrates the unity, diversity, and linkages of the modern Commonwealth and seeks to foster greater understanding of the Commonwealth’s achievements and role, particularly amongst its young people.
Guests of honour among the 2,000 strong congregation included the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Prime Minister of Samoa, High Commissioners, senior politicians and dignitaries from across the UK and the Commonwealth, alongside athletes from the home nations who competed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last summer, faith leaders, and over 750 school children and young people from throughout the UK.
Upon Their Majesties’ arrival at Westminster Abbey, The King and The Queen Consort were met by the Dean of Westminster, before greeting members of the Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club, who performed at the Great West Door ahead of the Commonwealth Service. The Service commenced with a procession of Commonwealth member states’ flags. As 2023 is the Commonwealth Year of Peace, a specially designed Commonwealth Flag for Peace was also processed this year.
The King delivered His Majesty’s Commonwealth Day Message from the Great Pulpit. The Service also included special musical performances from saxophonist Yolanda Brown, West End stars Roshani Abbey and Nuwan Hugh Perera, and the all-female, Amalgamation Choir, from Cyprus. Marking Rwanda’s role as the current Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, having hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2022, the Rwandan National Ballet, Urukerereza, also performed.
A reflection was given by young Samoan environmental advocate Brianna Fruean, who was the youngest recipient of a Commonwealth Youth Award aged, just 16 years old. Samoa is the incoming Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, and will host CHOGM in 2024.
The Commonwealth Day Service is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer and on the BBC YouTube channel for an international audience.
