The work of CSOs at community and national levels enables them to keep their finger on the pulse of society, and try out new ideas and innovative ways of working. The insights and knowledge they gain, particularly on the implications of policy for poor people, inform the Secretariat’s own work programmes. And CSOs take the work of the Commonwealth back to their members and communities, thereby broadening its impact.

For example, making the benefits of ICTs available to all to help deliver the MDGs presents a major challenge. Participation by key civil society organisations in the development of the Commonwealth Action Programme for the Digital Divide helped ensure that the needs of all citizens were kept at the forefront of decision-making. CSOs are now represented on the Steering Group to oversee implementation of the CAPDD.

Commonwealth associations

The Secretariat works with national, regional and pan-Commonwealth civil society organisations. Much – but by no means all – of this work is undertaken by some 70 pan-Commonwealth associations whose programmes are directly linked to Commonwealth values and priorities and, often, to the outcomes of ministerial meetings. These associations provide the Commonwealth with a large workforce committed to Commonwealth objectives and able to contribute human and financial resources, research capacity, case studies of good practice, and widespread professional links.

The Commonwealth is unique among intergovernmental organisations in being able to call upon such a diverse group of people from many professions and interests. In return, the Secretariat is able to provide a forum for associations’ points of view, links to government, collaboration in the design and implementation of programmes, and space in intergovernmental political processes.

CSOs and ministerial policy-making

Civil society organisations have been increasingly involved in the Commonwealth’s policy-making activities carried out through the biennial CHOGMs and periodic meetings of ministers in various sectors. This work is facilitated through the combined efforts of the Secretariat and its sibling organisation, the Commonwealth Foundation, which was created by governments to serve the non-governmental sector.

For the first time in 2003, CSOs met with the Committee of the Whole, enabling senior officials to hear at first hand about the concerns of civil society as they related to the key themes of the CHOGM. In 2005, again for the first time, the Committee will also have before it a summary of the outcomes of national meetings between CSOs and governments, on country priorities for the Commonwealth.

The 7th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting in Fiji Islands in 2004 broke new ground for CSO participation in ministerial meetings. CSOs provided inputs at all stages of the meeting’s preparations, and participated in its plenaries and working groups. The Commonwealth Foundation helped co-ordinate civil society participation in the process of developing the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015, convening the Partners’ Forum which included CSOs, parliamentarians, magistrates, judges, lawyers, women entrepreneurs and donor agencies. In the Pacific region, collaborative work has begun on implementing the HIV/AIDS recommendations of the Plan of Action.

Meetings of Commonwealth Finance Ministers over the past two years also saw strengthened CSO participation. In 2003, Finance Ministers welcomed civil society’s contribution to the discussions on private sector participation in the provision of basic services in education, health, water, sanitation, telecommunications and power to the poor. In 2004, they acknowledged the value of civil society’s work in influencing international trade and finance agendas in support of pro-poor development, and called on CSOs to forge productive partnerships to develop new proposals towards an effective, just, rules-based multilateral trading system.

CSO accreditation to the Commonwealth

Procedures for accrediting organisations to the Commonwealth have been regularised in the past two years, with 43 organisations now formally accredited to the Commonwealth. This status indicates that they have met certain criteria including good governance, accountability and commitment to Commonwealth values. Accredited organisations and members of the wider CSO community are invited to Marlborough House twice a year for discussions on Commonwealth programme priorities.