Secretariat support for Dominica
Elections
Dominica received Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) Initiative training in May 2018. Its election officials improved their knowledge of campaign and party financing, women’s participation and new media.
The Commonwealth sent a Commonwealth Observer Group to observer the 2019 elections in Dominica.
Human rights
At a working session in April 2019, the Secretariat helped Dominica’s Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs improve reporting on human rights under the United Nation’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. Dominica decided to set up an instrument for reporting and follow-up as a result of this assistance.
Anti-corruption
In 2018-19, the Secretariat gave training in leadership and management to senior officers from Dominica’s anti-corruption agency.
Youth
From July 2016 to January 2017, the Secretariat sent an expert to Dominica to help draft a new National Youth Policy. The Secretariat also helped Dominica improve its policies to encourage young people to set up businesses.
Trade
The Commonwealth’s Geneva office helped Dominica build skills in international trade talks.
Blue Charter
Dominica is a member of the Marine Protected Areas Action Group.
Dominica and the Commonwealth
The current Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, is the 6th Commonwealth Secretary-General.
The Secretary-General was born in Dominica and was their candidate for the post at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta in 2015.
She is the 2nd Secretary-General from the Caribbean and the 1st woman to hold the post.
