The horror of sexual violence in conflict must be challenged by educating women about their human rights and empowering men and boys as champions against such abuses, says leading women's rights activist Dr Denis Mukwege.
Read news - Women survivors must be at centre of fight against sexual violence Main page for this area of work
A new Commonwealth report could help put member states on track to ensuring every child has access to good quality education, Commonwealth expert Nasir Kazmi announced today.
Read news - Commonwealth to map progress on education goalsIncreased recognition of the human rights of older people will enable them to reach their full potential.
Read news - Increased recognition of older people ‘a milestone’ on road to realising their potentialThe Government of Kiribati has welcomed the Commonwealth’s support as it works to strengthen its health system.
Read news - Kiribati welcomes support to make health services more resilientA practical guide aimed at ending violence against women in parts of Asia has been praised by experts.
Read news - Guide to helping end violence against women and girls praised by expertsAfrican states need to commit to investing more in public health if they are to achieve their goal of universal health coverage.
Read news - Political commitment and public financing crucial to African states achieving universal health coverageMeasures to eradicate child labour, modern slavery and human trafficking across the Commonwealth took a step forward at a major global conference in Argentina.
Read news - Countries commit to tackling child labour across bordersA coordinated response to tackle the scourge of child marriage has never been more pressing in the Commonwealth, where a child is married every 17 minutes.
Read news - More countries must commit to tackle child marriageThe launch of Rwanda’s first ever cricket stadium and its continuing efforts to use sport as part of the reconciliation process have been praised by the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Read news - Rwanda’s use of sport in the post-genocide reconciliation process praised by Secretary-GeneralImproving government data collection and protecting human rights will help maximise the role that sport can play in sustainable development.
Read news - Advisory Body sets out steps to quantify the role of sport in advancing sustainable developmentLeading sports stakeholders are set to gather in Australia ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games to address policy issues such as the contribution of sport to the Sustainable Development Goals and the promotion of integrity in sport.
Read news - Advisory Body on Sport to address key policy issues ahead of Commonwealth GamesThe Commonwealth Secretariat is partnering with a conference opening today in Colombo that showcases advancements in medical technology in Sri Lanka.
Read news - Sri Lanka showcases medical advancementThe Commonwealth will create a safe space for frank discussions about faith and cohesion between communities and religious and ethnic groups, Secretary-General Patricia Scotland told participants of the Craigmyle Lecture.
Read news - Secretary-General opens discussion on faith in the Commonwealth Applications are now open to join a course in London that builds the capacity of young people to counter hate speech and violent radicalisation.
Read news - Applications open for training course on addressing hate speech The world economy has undergone tremendous change during the past decade, with a range of emerging issues influencing global trade and coming to the fore in discussions among policy-makers and trade negotiators.
Read publication - Emerging Trade Issues for Small Developing CountriesAn agreement signed today in Apia, Samoa will strengthen cooperation between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Pacific Community on healthcare.
Read news - Agreement on healthcare signed with Pacific CommunityEducation plays a pivotal role in equipping future generations with the tools to tackle some of the most pressing issues, not least filling the skills gap which is a global challenge faced by many member states.
Read news - Education is pivotal to the future of the young Commonwealth, Secretary-General tells conferenceA leading academic says next week’s education conference in Namibia will help tackle the education gap between Africa and the rest of the world.
Read news - Closing the education gap in AfricaTo maximise the impact of sport at community level, new tactics are needed that mainstream sports policy into national development plans. The newly adopted Kazan Action Plan provides a game plan for governments to do this.
Read news - Blog: The Kazan Action Plan is set to overhaul sports policyThis policy guide reviews the current regulatory frameworks, legal issues, empirical data, WTO member states proposals, and existing literature on e-commerce and digital trade. It is designed to help policy-makers in capacity-constrained Commonwealth small states, least developed countries, and sub-Saharan African countries to participate effectively in global work on the subject area, including in the context of the WTO work programme on e-commerce.
Read publication - E-Commerce and Digital TradeYoung people constitute one-quarter of the world’s population, and one-third of the population in developing nations. They have demonstrated their capabilities and vision as citizens and partners in development, signalling a vibrant and hopeful resource for the world.
Read publication - Youth Mainstreaming in Development PlanningNew policy guidance from the Commonwealth Secretariat will help governments to place young people’s needs and aspirations at the heart of national policy-making.
Read news - Transforming young lives: youth mainstreaming in development planning “The young people of the Commonwealth are leading us to a future of ever greater aspiration, and even greater achievement.” These were the words of Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland at the start of one of the world’s most eminent intergovernmental youth conferences.
Read news - President of Uganda opens 9th Commonwealth Youth Ministers MeetingA new Commonwealth initiative to empower young women leaders has been marked with a regional launch in the Caribbean.
Read news - Commonwealth women’s mentorship scheme launches in CaribbeanIn a matter of hours, 1000 athletes and officials will be at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium, in the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre in The Bahamian capital Nassau, to witness a once in a life-time event.
Read news - Commonwealth Youth Games: “Brightest and the best who’ll kick it out of the park”