The event will provide an opportunity for diplomats and government officials, academics, students, civil society representatives and others to deepen their understanding of the organisation’s character and critically assess its value and potential.

Date:

Thursday, 26th May 2022

Time:

UK 13:30-15:00, East Caribbean 8:30-10:00, Taiwan 20:30-22:00

Webinar Platform:

CIsco Webex

https://nccutw.webex.com/nccutw/j.php?MTID=m3f5c1f1a1cfd57945739b6d2e74cf0c6

Meeting number: 2561 389 7326

Password: 21st

Organising institutions:

iDERA, TCSS, Africa Leadership Centre

Panellists:

• Ambassador Ransford Smith, Former Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Author of the “Commonwealth, its History and Relevance”. A three-part series published in the Jamaica Gleaner. Click to read more: Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 .

• Professor Funmi Olonisakin, Professor of Security, Leadership and Development at King’s College London and its Vice President (Global Engagement).

• Professor Fu-Kuo Liu, Director of the Taiwan Center for Security Studies at the National Chengchi University.

• Dr. Ilias Iliopoulos, Professor of Diplomatic History and International Relations at the National University of Athens.

• Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Former Governor of the Sri Lanka Central bank

• Moderator: Ambassador Edwin Laurent of the Caribbean Think-tank, iDERA.

Background:

The “modern” Commonwealth is a diverse grouping of 54 sovereign States made up of a mix of advanced industrialised countries, developing and least developed countries, some of the largest as well as the smallest countries. Together they are home to one-third of the world’s population, having a GDP in excess of US$13 trillion and accounting for 15% of global trade. But the organisation’s impact, purpose and continuing relevance in the 21st century are often questioned, both outside and indeed within the Commonwealth itself. This is despite, firstly the evident cumulative, economic and political power of its individual member states that share fundamental principles and values, and secondly the organisation’s unique mechanism for high level political consultation and collaboration.

Notwithstanding, this grouping of States constitutes an important component of the international political and economic infrastructure, which at times during its history, has wielded significant political authority and international influence.

Programme

1. Opening remarks by co-hosting institutions

2. Introduction of the panellists

3. Panellists’ presentations

• Ambassador Ransford Smith
• Prof. Funmi Olonisakin
• Prof. Fu-Kuo Liu
• Prof. Ilias Iliopoulos
• Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy

4. Moderated panel discussion

5. Open exchanges with participants

6. Conclusion and group photograph