British High Commission in India reposted this
What makes the Commonwealth so unique? To answer this, I start with my own history. My parents came to Britain from Guyana, as part of the Windrush generation. Through them, I can trace my lineage back to Africa – through the horrors of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. I feel the pain and anguish of that heritage, as did my parents. Yet I share with them a pride in my Commonwealth roots. It gives me a sense of belonging and solidarity with all members of the Commonwealth diaspora. This week, I met some of the brilliant members of that diaspora at a Commonwealth reception. Artists, activists and authors. People like Benson and Isabella – New Zealand-born Samoan singers who are rising stars on the English opera scene. This connection spanning continents and generations is why the Commonwealth feels like a family. But to grasp the Commonwealth’s singular nature, it also helps to turn to great figures in its history. Nearly two years since her death, we treasure Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s role in bringing the people of the Commonwealth closer together. The affection in which she is held across the Commonwealth is a testament to her skills as a diplomat – she was, quite simply, the greatest diplomat of our time. But it equally testifies to her vision for how to do diplomacy – a vision, frankly, far ahead of its time. A vision of the Global North and Global South working together, in a spirit of partnership. A vision the Commonwealth exemplifies, as a forum in which voices from all corners of the globe are heard and respected. Her late Majesty worked with six Secretaries-General, amongst them Sir Shridath ‘Sonny’ Ramphal. This great Guyanese diplomat passed away last month. He also championed this vision of the Commonwealth as an organisation which can forge closer, more equitable relations between the Global North and Global South. He described Commonwealth summits as a bit like a club. Not, he stressed, in the sense of being exclusive or elitist. In fact, the Commonwealth incorporates members great and small, from all over the world, and has now expanded to cover one third of the world’s population. But he sensed a unique chemistry between leaders at Commonwealth summits. Leaders had different points of view, faced different circumstances. But they would nevertheless come together and agree to deliver things together. Next month, for the first time since Her late Majesty and Sir Sonny passed, Commonwealth leaders will gather in Samoa for their next regular summit – His Majesty King Charles III’s first as Head of the Commonwealth, and the first ever to be held in a Pacific Island Country. Together, we can use the unique platform of the Commonwealth so that our diverse membership can tackle global challenges and make a positive impact for all.