The Royal Commonwealth Society
* Issue 4 | May 2008 | View as a webpage*
update... The monthly e-newsletter from The Royal Commonwealth Society
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April Round-Up

  
  Fitness First
Notes from a Panel Debate on:
Pakistan in Crisis: What role for the Commonwealth?

 

"Right now, the job of the Commonwealth must be to support the Pakistani people and the elected government."

Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Labour Peer

"The Commonwealth has no teeth and it remains for most people the ghost of empire"; so stated Robert Fisk in the opening seconds of his interview with Yvonne Ridley. The interview was recorded at the RCS and screened prior to the panel debate, 'Pakistan in Crisis: What role for the Commonwealth?' Fisk claimed that the Commonwealth did not have the power to counter-balance the dominance of the US and that it exerted no real influence over Pakistan. It is, he said, "a merely decorative institution". Pakistan is a corrupt State, right from the top down and the Commonwealth "can do little more than offer gracious words of advice", in Fisk's opinion. Yet this was not the view of the other assembled panellists.

Click here for the full event write-up.

  
     
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Book Now! 

  
 
Monday 19 May, 1pm - 5pm
Half-day Conference
Migration, Citizenship and the Commonwealth

This half-day conference will mark the culmination of the RCS series on migration. A combination of workshops and keynote addresses will provide an opportunity to evaluate outcomes from previous events and to formulate recommendations for action and policy change. The conference will focus upon differing concepts of citizenship; and it will seek to promote migration as a key area of interest for Commonwealth governments.

For further information and bookings contact Joanna Stephenson on 020 7766 9230.

"Migration isn't a policy, it is a fact. The only thing that matters is how we respond to it."

Trevor Phillips OBE, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission speaking at the RCS on 15 January 2008.

 
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Wednesday 2 July, 3.30-5pm
Strawberries and cream tea on the terrace of the Houses of Parliament
Guest of Honour:
Rt Hon Baroness Betty Boothroyd O.M.,P.C, Former Speaker of the House of Commons

VortexJoin Baroness Prashar CBE, for an afternoon of strawberries, cream and politics on the terrace of the House of Lords. The Guest of Honour will be Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first female Speaker of the House of Commons. Special parliamentary guests from both Houses will also be present and tickets for the public galleries at 2.30pm can be arranged by prior appointment. What better way to spend a summer's afternoon as the political temperature rises, with your finger on the pulse, a cream tea and spectacular views of the Thames?

For further information and to book, email the Membership department or call 020 7766 9228.

 

  
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Coming soon

      
 

Tuesday 3 June, 6pm

Reproductive Health and Child Mortality: Challenges across the Commonwealth

Baroness Tonge of Kew, Chair

Dr Peter Odili, former Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria

Sandra Kabir, Executive Director BRAC UK

An introduction by Nancy Dell'Olio

 

Mother and Child in MumbaiMillennium Development Goals 4 and 5 call for a two thirds reduction in child mortality and a 75% reduction in maternal mortality by 2015. However, according to a recent report many countries are far from meeting either of these goals.

This event will address the importance of education and empowerment; of access for all women to reproductive health care and family planning services; to skilled care at the time of birth; and to postnatal care after delivery. The panel will consider what strategies the Commonwealth can implement in order to ensure that its member nations are amongst those few on track to meet these crucial goals.

To book, email Claire Anholt or call on 020 7766 9202.


  

Wednesday 4 June, 6pm

Panel debate
Building Trust and Sharing Power: Lessons in Peace from Northern Ireland

Baroness Blood of Blackwatertown, Chair

The Rt Hon Peter Hain, MP, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Gerry Kelly, MLA, senior Sinn Fein negotiator and Junior Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive

The Rt Hon Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey, Nobel Peace Laureate and former MP & First Minister of Northern Ireland

The road to peace is often long and arduous. Sustained effort is needed just to bring all parties to the negotiating table and, in order for a lasting resolution to be reached following conflict, trust must be comprehensively re-built at all levels of civil society and government. Brave visionary leadership and the ability to make sacrifices for the greater good are essential. In the face of a divided community and long-running, violent conflict, the resolution accomplished in Northern Ireland offers many lessons for the rest of the Commonwealth.

What can the Commonwealth do to support countries during their transition from conflict to peace? Key actors in the long and complex Northern Ireland peace process will share their insights, first-hand experiences and the lessons they have learnt.

To book, email Claire Anholt or call on 020 7766 9202.

  
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Friday 6 June, 7pm

140th anniversary event
Celebrating the 'Miracle Mile'

Sir Roger Bannister and Sir Christopher Chataway

goldsmithJust over 50 years ago, the British athlete Roger Bannister, assisted by Chris Chataway, made history in breaking the four minute mile and taking sporting achievement to new heights of excellence. Join both famous figures, Sir Christopher Chataway and Sir Roger Bannister, in a special evening organised by the Thames Hare & Hounds Club and the Royal Commonwealth Society as each celebrate their 140th anniversary. This joint event is also a tribute to Michael Bostelmann, a key office-holder in both organisations. A sparkling wine reception will be followed by a delicious three course menu accompanied by wine.

RCS members:£50 Non-members:£55

To book, email Chi Kavindele or call 020 7766 9240.

  

Tuesday 17 June, 6pm

Keynote Speech
Citizenship, Identity and Culture in Modern Britain

The Rt. Hon. Lord Goldsmith, QC

goldsmithDoes British citizenship automatically denote a strong connection and commitment to the country? Does it engender a sense of belonging and membership to a community and culture within the UK? Lord Goldsmith QC, the author of the recent Citizenship Review, argues not. In this keynote address, Goldsmith, one of Britain's leading lawyers and the longest serving Labour Attorney-General, will discuss what he perceives to be a lack of coherence in the identity, rights and responsibilities of British citizens. He will explore the ways in which the meaning and significance of citizenship within modern Britain can be clarified and promoted.

To book, email Claire Anholt or call 020 7766 9202.

  
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Thursday 26 June, 6pm

140th anniversary event
RCS Annual General Meeting

Vortex140 years ago, on 26 June 1868, the body that was to become the Royal Commonwealth Society held its inaugural meeting. The AGM will mark this important anniversary. This event will also act as farewell to outgoing RCS President Chief Emeka Anyaoku and as a welcome to new RCS Chairman Sir David Green.

All are welcome to attend an open forum session, moderated by Peter Kellner, Council member and President of YouGov, in which Baroness Usha Prashar and Sir David Green will reflect upon their respective experiences as outgoing and incoming RCS Chairmen and look to the future. A celebratory reception, with canapes, will follow the AGM.

For further information and to book, email Nigel McCollum or call 020 7766 9205.

 

Thursday 17 July, 6pm

Panel Debate
The Chavez effect: the case of the Caribbean

Chair, The Rt Hon Tony Lloyd MP, Chair All-Party Group on Venezuela, former Foreign and Commonwealth Minister

Darcus Howe, Commentator and columnist for New Statesman

Sir Ronald Sanders KCMG, KCN, former Antigua & Barbuda High Commissioner

Katy Parker, Venezuela Analyst, Economist Intelligence Unit

A pre-recorded message from, The Hon Roosevelt Skerrit MP, Prime Minister of Dominica (TBC)

VortexSince his re-election in May 2006, controversial Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, has actively sought to sign economic trade agreements with all the Caribbean nations. Some nations, such as Dominica, have eagerly sought to benefit from the cheap oil and economic subsidies, while others, like Guyana, are more wary of the oil-rich Chavez administration. This debate will examine how Chavez has divided the political alliances in the Caribbean and the impact which this is having on Commonwealth countries in the region. HE Dr Samuel Moncada, Venezuelan Ambassador and former Minister of Education, will also attend and speak at the event.

To book, email Claire Anholt or call on 020 7766 9202.

     
 
 
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Features

  
 
Petition to save Commonwealth Scholarships

In a shock statement in March, Foreign Secretary David Miliband announced that FCO funding for the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) would cease.

Since 1959, more than 25,000 Commonwealth citizens drawn from every Commonwealth country have benefited from the awards.The scheme fosters unique academic excellence and no other plan enables Commonwealth citizens to pursue doctorates in the UK. The Council for Education in the Commonwealth (CEC) believes that the FCO’s decision will undermine the principle of reciprocity and infringe the very principles of equality, mutuality and inclusiveness on which the Commonwealth is built.

As former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon said, "Mobility and the exchange of ideas and knowledge remain at the heart of the ideals of the Commonwealth. This scheme was designed also to embody the ideal of reciprocity and sharing, with each country contributing according to its means. In short, the rationale for the CSFP is in harmony with the objectives of the Commonwealth itself".

We urgently need your support in fighting to reverse this retrograde decision. Already there are 1,400 names on an online petition in Downing Street. Please add your support today by visiting http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/comschols and signing the petition.

Thank you.

 

  
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Members Meet

On the last Wednesday of every month, informal drinks are held in the Mezzanine Bar. Designed to give members the opportunity to meet each other, non-members, guests and friends are equally welcome to attend.The RCS has a long tradition of acting as a hospitable space for the exchange of ideas and the forging of links and contacts and the Members Meet events are one way of continuing this tradition.There is no charge to attend and there will be a happy hour at the cash bar from 6.30-7.30pm. Complimentary nibbles will also be provided throughout the evening.

In order to properly staff and stock the bar, it would be greatly appreciated if you could confirm your attendance by contacting the Membership Department.