Commonwealth News: March 2010

Top stories

Commonwealth has “defied prophets of doom” to remain relevant and credible

• The association’s identity is dynamic, not static

Experts map strategies to boost trade negotiations, regional blocs

• Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General reinforces value in regional integration

“Britain’s leading futurist” to deliver Commonwealth Lecture, 28 April 2010

• Dr James Martin will speak on the theme "Science and Technology: Impacts on Society in the 21st Century"

Trainers learn how to improve negotiating skills of East African public servants

• Commonwealth programme looks to build up a critical mass of seasoned negotiators in East Africa

News from the Commonwealth Secretariat:

Governments have duty to protect against human rights abuses perpetrated by businesses

• UN framework looks at how foreign companies are abusing environmental and labour standards overseas

  Factbox: Features

  - Teaching together

  - Video competition offers winners a trip to London for International Youth Day

  - Renewed efforts must be made to address inter-communal violence: Nigeria’s top civil servant

  - Expert Analysis: Sovereign Debt – Where is the biggest problem?

  - Country profile: Spotlight on Solomon Islands

Commonwealth showcases maritime boundaries programme to Queen, leaders

• The Secretariat has helped 15 countries secure access to potentially lucrative additional areas of seabed

Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General announced

• Stephen Cutts was selected “from an exceptional field of candidates”

Caribbean ministers and leaders review progress of youth programmes

• Young people of the Commonwealth are becoming ever more impatient with the "yawning deficit between our statements of intent and actual action" – Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General

Kenyan biotechnologist visits Commonwealth Secretariat

• Dr Florence Wambugu, CEO, Africa Harvest was among the special invitees to the Commonwealth Day reception

News from Commonwealth organisations:

Exhibition highlights shocking life expectancy of women in Sierra Leone

• Photos will be displayed from 17 March – 30 April at event organised by Royal Commonwealth Society and Amnesty International UK

Glasgow named host for Commonwealth Sports Development Conference

• Practitioners, policy makers and a variety of funders and investors will share ideas, network and hear about innovative programmes from across the Commonwealth at the June meeting.

African governments resolve to improve governance, build human capacity and empower citizens through ICTs

• At 4th annual e-Governance Africa Forum, leaders in ICT development proposed solutions to challenges facing governments in their efforts to develop and deploy information and communications technologies

Commonwealth Business Council members meet Rwandan President

• Photos and video footage from lunch with CBC representatives, High Commissioners and Rwandan delegation now available