HISTORY OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS

The Commonwealth is one of the worlds oldest political association of states. Its
foundation goes back to the days of the British Empire when some countries were
either ruled directly or indirectly by Great Britain. Some of these countries became
self-governing while retaining Britains monarch as Head of State such as The
Bahamas. They formed what was once called the British Commonwealth of Nations.
In 1949 the association came into being. Since then, independent countries from
Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific have joined The Commonwealth.
Membership today is based on free and equal voluntary co-operation. While the
majority of countries in the Commonwealth have ties to the British Empire, the last
two countries to recently join The Commonwealth - Rwanda and Mozambique do
not.
Commonwealth Day is celebrated the 2nd Monday in March every year, it is the
annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations and is marked by a multi-faith
service in Westminster Abbey, normally attended by Queen Elizabeth II as Head of
the Commonwealth, with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and
Commonwealth High Commissioners in London. The Queen delivers an address to
the Commonwealth which is broadcast throughout the world.
Member countries
Fifty-three countries [53] are members of the Commonwealth and these countries
span across the continents: Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific. They
are diverse and are amongst the worlds largest, smallest, richest and poorest
countries. Thirty-one of our members are classified as small states countries with a
population size of 1.5 million people or less and larger member states that share
similar characteristics with them.

All members subscribe to the Commonwealths values and principles as outlined

in The Commonwealth Charter. Leaders of member countries shape
Commonwealth policies and priorities. Every two years, they meet to discuss issues
affecting the Commonwealth and the wider world at the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting [(CHOGM]. All members have an equal say regardless of
size or economic stature. This ensures even the smallest member countries have a
voice in shaping the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth of The Bahamas joined in
1973 upon receiving Independence 10 July.
The largest member of the Commonwealth is Canada, at nearly 10 million square
kilometres.
The most populous Commonwealth country is India, with nearly 1.1 billion people.
The smallest member is Nauru, with only 13,000 inhabitants.
The Commonwealth also includes the world's driest and most sparsely
populated country: Namibia.
Countries by Region
Africa
Botswana
Cameroon
Ghana
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Rwanda
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Swaziland
Uganda
United Republic of Tanzania
Zambia
Asia
Bangladesh
Brunei Darussalam
India
Malaysia
Maldives
Pakistan
Singapore
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Sri Lanka
Caribbean and Americas
Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas, The
Barbados
Belize
Canada
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Jamaica
Saint Lucia
St Kitts and Nevis
St Vincent and The Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Europe
Cyprus
Malta
United Kingdom
Pacific
Australia
Fiji
Kiribati
Nauru
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
First Commonwealth Games
In 1930, the First British Empire Games, later to become the Commonwealth
Games, was held in Hamilton, Province of Ontario, Canada. Eleven [11] countries
sent 400 athletes to take part in six sports and 59 events. The participant nations
were Australia, Bermuda, British Guyana, Canada, England, Northern Ireland,
Newfoundland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
Since then, the Games have been conducted every four years [except for 1942 and
1946 due to World War II] and the event has seen many changes, not least in its
name.
From 1930 to 1950 the Games were known as the British Empire Games, from 1954
until 1966 the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, and from 1970 to 1974
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they took on the title of British Commonwealth Games. However, it was at the 1978
Games in Edmonton, Province of Alberta, Canada that this unique, world class,
multi-sports event changed its name to what is now called the Commonwealth
Games.
The Bahamas participated in the 1954 games but did not medal, however when they
participated in 1958, they won two medals in track and field Gold in the 220 yards
and Silver in the 100 yards both of which were won by Thomas Augustus Robinson.
He again won Silver medals in the 100 yards at both 1962 and 1968 games held in
Perth, Australia and Kingston, Jamaica respectively. Since 1978 2014 Bahamian
athletes have medalled in Boxing, Swimming and Track & Field.
As with most things, the Commonwealth Nations saw the need to provide an avenue
for the youth of Commonwealth countries to share and explore the culture of the
many countries that comprise the Commonwealth. In 2000 the Commonwealth
Youth Games began and took place in Edinburgh, Scotland where 733 Athletes from
14 countries competed in 8 sports over 3 days.
In 2008 The Bahamas sent ten [10] athletes who competed in Track & Field, Tennis,
Boxing and Swimming and have sent athletes to subsequent games and hopefully
will send a squad to Samoa in September 2015.
The next meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government will take place 27th29th November 2015 in Malta.

Note: Supplementary material for schools projections.

Mrs R Cecilia Askew

Copyright@2015