Australia and the Commonwealth
Australia is an active member and supporter of the Commonwealth of Nations and particularly values its role in advancing the interests of developing countries and small states in world affairs.
The Commonwealth has earned a unique profile as an association dedicated to the promotion of a set of fundamental political principles of importance to Australia: those of democracy, good governance and the rule of law. It has made its mark in the pursuit of democratic principles. But its networks and interests range widely and it contributes to issues as diverse as youth affairs, gender equity, human rights, health and education.
An effective forum. Its diverse membership and its capacity for informal dialogue have made it an effective forum for the discussion of contemporary issues of pressing concern to all its members. Australia has applauded its contribution to the development and advancement of the Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, its ground-breaking work with the World Bank on the vulnerability of small states and its sophisticated approach to the challenges and opportunities that globalisation presents to its members.
Delivering direct benefits. Many of the Commonwealth's successes have delivered direct benefits to Commonwealth countries in Australia's neighbourhood. The countries of our region have benefited from assistance in conducting elections and from the Secretary-General's Good Offices work in conflict prevention and resolution. The Commonwealth has also assisted in building and strengthening democracy and democratic institutions in our region. The Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation responds to requests for technical assistance in a range of areas.
Youth. The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) works directly with member governments on issues that are important to young people. CYP views young people as the Commonwealth's most valuable resource. They are a development force and can bring about positive change. By empowering youth, CYP is addressing development issues of today and safeguarding the future of the Commonwealth. Youth for the Future is a Commonwealth initiative designed to improve the relevance and usefulness of the Commonwealth of Nations for young people. It is essentially a grouping of programs which have been designed to encourage and utilise the skills and enthusiasm of young people in Commonwealth countries. Youth for the Future arose from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Coolum, Australia in March 2002. It is a key outcome of a high level review of the Commonwealth and one of the concrete steps taken to build a Commonwealth for the 21st century.
Providing assistance. At other times, the Commonwealth has provided a vehicle for Australia to deliver assistance to countries further afield. Australia was closely engaged in the Commonwealth's work in breaking down the system of apartheid in South Africa. We worked with the Commonwealth to assist Zimbabwe's transition to independence in 1981 and in observing its national elections in 2000. In Mozambique and Namibia we used the Commonwealth to deliver development assistance.
Helping small states. With an eye on the changing needs of the Commonwealth membership, Australia has also put forward a range of initiatives at various times aimed at furthering the interests of Commonwealth small states and developing countries. At the 1981 CHOGM in Melbourne, Australia gained agreement to the establishment of a Commonwealth Small States Office in New York. Initially set up to enable Pacific Island Countries to have their voices heard at the United Nations, the office was extended in 1988 to meet the needs of developing countries from other regions of the Commonwealth who would otherwise not have been able to be represented at the United Nations.
Supporting modernisation. Australia has been a strong supporter of on going efforts to modernise the Commonwealth and its Secretariat. We have worked closely with the Secretariat and other Member States to strengthen the Commonwealth's main development fund and to implement a range of reforms to Secretariat administration, including through the High Level Review Group, to ensure it remains a relevant and effective mechanism for meeting the needs of its members.