Commonwealth Secretary-General Holds Talks in Washington, DC
30 May 2006
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon visited Washington, DC on 25 and 26 May 2006 to hold talks with senior members of the US administration, legislators, civil society, the World Bank and the Organisation of American States (OAS). In a Keynote Speech he looked at how US, Commonwealth and global citizens can meet some of the great challenges of our times.
Among the meetings Mr McKinnon had in Washington are those with US Vice-President Dick Cheney, World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz and the OAS Secretary-General, José Miguel Insulza.
"The Commonwealth has a long and successful track record in helping member countries build sustainable democracies. It is a force for advancing freedom, democracy and development in the world. My discussions built on the dialogue we have already established with important non-Commonwealth governments and partner international organisations," said Mr McKinnon.
On 25 May Mr McKinnon delivered a speech at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. His speech entitled 'Building Sustainable Democracies -- the Commonwealth Way' set out the ways in which the Commonwealth has been promoting the democratic ethos and good governance, how it has worked to prevent and resolve conflict situations, and how it is seeking to bridge cultural and other divides.
The Commonwealth has developed strategic partnerships with many US-based organisations in recent years, especially in the democracy field, and is conscious of the need to engage on the international stage with countries and organisations working towards democracy-building.
CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service, Issue 286
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