Civil Society Consultation on Strengthening Development Co-operation

Dr Mark Collins, Director of the Foundation

Civil society organisations sat down with the Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation in London, UK, on 10 May 2006 to seek new ideas and collaborative action in development programmes.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said civil society plays a vital role alongside government and business in the area of advocacy to enhance the interests of societies and communities. In his opening remarks, Mr McKinnon said civil society groups have had valuable input at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGMs) and other ministerial meetings. The importance of civil society in the Commonwealth was first recognised more than 40 years ago with the establishment of the Foundation. Today, Mr McKinnon pointed out, a vibrant network of some 80 civil society organisations bear the Commonwealth name and the Secretariat, Foundation and civil society groups share the same goals in promoting development and democracy.

Dr Mark Collins, Director of the Foundation, said civil society organisations help to identify priorities for socio-economic development and work in partnership with governments to promote various issues. He noted that civil society can help reinforce the important focus on respect, tolerance and faith, as well as gender equality and health that was emphasised at the CHOGM in Malta in November 2005. The participants also discussed respect, faith and understanding; monitoring and evaluating progress on gender equality; plans for the 8th Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting in Uganda in 2007; and environmental and health care issues.

Leolynn Jones, President of the Commonwealth Countries’ League, said the exchange of views had been stimulating. “I think we are all now geared up to participate more in the 2007 CHOGM and the 8th Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting in Kampala,” she said.

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 284, 10 May 2006

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