6. The Commonwealth

♤ Formed through the 'London Declaration‘adopted in 1949 which agreed that all member countries would be "freely and equally associated". It also meant the adjective 'British' was junked. The declaration stated the Commonwealth members were "free and equal members of the Commonwealth of Nations, freely co-operating in the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress”.

♤ It has 53 members, prominent ones inculde India, Canada, Australia, The UK etc.

♤ Commonwealth Secretariat in London was set up in 1965. The Commonwealth is represented by the secretariat at the UN General Assembly as an observer.

♤ The Secretary-General is elected by Commonwealth heads of government for a maximum of two four year terms.

♤ In 1971, the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting ( CHOGM) process was set up and the meetings of the Commonwealth heads of governments, which until then only took place in the UK, travelled out of London. The first CHOGM was held in Singapore in 1971.

♤ A CHOGM has a two tier format - a) Executive Sessions, where the the heads of government interact in a more formal manner and they make statements, and are accompanied by ministers or officials, and (b) a Retreat, where the heads of government interact informally with their counterparts without the presence of any aides.