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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

McKinnon welcomes civil society input to Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting

22 July 2002

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon will deliver the keynote address on Monday to The Civil Society Consultation for the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting (London, 22-23 July 2002):

Mr McKinnon said today: "The involvement of civil society is very much in keeping with the spirit of the Coolum Declaration adopted by Commonwealth Heads of Government in March this year. The leaders stressed the need for stronger consultation and collaboration between the official and non-governmental Commonwealth."

For the first time, Commonwealth citizens are having a direct input to the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting (FMM), themed Delivering the Monterrey Consensus, which takes place in London 24-26 September.

"This week's Consultation reflects the broad rainbow of the People's Commonwealth," said the Secretary-General. "The non-governmental organisations, poverty action groups, women's organisations, environmental groups and other civil society organisations will be able to make their views known to Commonwealth Finance Ministers, who are key players in delivering the Monterrey Consensus."
Hosted by the Commonwealth Foundation, the two-day Consultation concludes three months of meetings between civil society organisations around the Commonwealth. It will draw up recommendations to present to finance ministers on financing for development and the best way to achieve the Millennium Development Goal on reducing poverty.

Mrs Graca Machel, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Foundation and Paul Boateng, Chief Secretary to the UK Treasury will also address delegates at the opening session from 9:30 - 10:45am on Monday 22 July 2002.


Note to Editors:
The Commonwealth Civil Society Consultation will be held at the Treasury Auditorium, 1 Horse Guards Square, SW1P 3AG. Access to the opening session of the meeting will only be open to journalists carrying a valid NUJ card.

For press enquiries please contact Susan Simmons on 07802 784675, or Sharon Robinson (Commonwealth Foundation) on 020 7930 3783.

The consultation process sponsored by the Commonwealth Foundation involved regional meetings in Fiji Islands, Ghana, Jamaica, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. The Commonwealth Foundation is an inter-governmental organisation of the Commonwealth which seeks to connect all citizens of member states through professional networking and exchanges at all levels.

The Monterrey Consensus sought to build a global partnership for the eradication of poverty and the creation of wealth in developing countries.

19 July 2002

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
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