The Commonwealth

1. The first meetings, known as Colonial Conferences, began in 1887

2. it origins from the development of British colonial policy

3. Since the Harare Declaration, the Commonwealth has laid the stress on values and goals

3.1. such as good governance

3.2. respect for human rights

3.3. sustainable development

3.4. protecting the environment

3.5. improve the life of women

3.6. fighting crime

3.7. drug abuse and the spread of AIDS

4. Members of the Commonwealth all recognise the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth

4.1. There are no constitutional functions attached to the title of Head of the Commonwealth

4.1.1. but it remains crucial as the symbolic link uniting all member states

5. contains 6 of the fastest-growing economies and is underpinned by an agreed framework of values

6. In 1917, the Imperial War Conference recognised "the constitutional relations of the component parts of the Empire"

6.1. should be based upon a full recognition of the Dominions as autonomous nations of an Imperial Commonwealth"

7. Presentation of the Commonwealth

7.1. What is the Commonwealth ?

7.2. It is the world's oldest political association of sovereign states

7.2.1. http://www.glogster.com/sarahfernandez/poster-glog-by-sarahfernandez/g-6l0l9h4nij9d2gns5u0vua0

7.3. It includes 54 countries, 6 continents and oceans

7.3.1. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/9775008/The-Commonwealth-has-never-been-stronger.html

7.3.2. The modern Commonwealth emerged from the movement of decolonisation of British colonies after the Second World War

7.3.2.1. Formal recognition of this fully independent status came with the passing by the British Parliament of the Statute of Westminster in 1931

8. Origins of the Commonwealth

8.1. In 1884, the British politician Lord Rosebery called the Empire "a Commonwealth of nations"

8.2. In 1911, these were replaced by Imperial Conferences

9. Reinventing the Commonwealth

9.1. The Commonwealth today is a community based on a shared heritage: language, education, sports

9.1.1. since most countries have a common language

9.1.2. similar legal

9.1.3. educational systems

10. The Commonwealth Games: an international multi-sport event involving athletes coming from Commonwealth Nations. It is held every four years.

10.1. The British monarch as Head of the Commonwealth

10.1.1. The Monarch is the outward and visible mark of the special relationship which exist between the member states