The Royal Commonwealth Society’s biennial international meeting generated hot debate on the future of the Commonwealth and welcomed a delegation from Southern Sudan, a potential new member state
In mid-May, 50 delegates from more than ten countries gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the 2011 International Meeting of the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS). Travelling from Asia, Africa, Oceania and Europe, delegates received a warm welcome and were hosted for three days by the Malaysian branch of the RCS.
The aim of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for networking and discussion. Sessions focused on how to strengthen and develop the international network of the RCS and the emerging role of Commonwealth civil society in an increasingly interconnected world. The delegates were addressed by Tun Abdullah Badawi, former prime minister of Malaysia and Chair of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG). Questioning on the Group’s recently published emerging findings generated heated debate. This centred around the suggestion that a new charter, proposed by the EPG as a way of better communicating the identity of the Commonwealth, could lend the association “a new legal personality”. This, some delegates felt, would fundamentally alter the nature of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of member states, unshackled by treaties or binding resolutions.
Another highlight of the programme was the launch of RCS Malaysia’s new Scholarship Foundation, an initiative designed to turn Malaysia into a destination of choice for higher education among Commonwealth countries. Twelve local private universities and colleges have already pledged to offer scholarships for Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees in subjects ranging from medicine and architecture to engineering and nursing. The founder of the Scholarship Foundation, Daud Ahmad, reported that, so far this year, the scheme has accumulated MYR32 million ($10.6 million). Attended by the daughter of the Sultan of Perak, Datuk Seri Raja Azureen Sultan Azlan Shah, the launch of the Foundation was an inspirational event, demonstrating the power of Commonwealth civil society to effect real change.
Looking beyond the family of Commonwealth nations, on the second day of the programme, participants were addressed by a delegation of ministers from South Sudan, led by Vice-President Riek Machar. They were there to demonstrate their nascent nation’s enthusiasm for joining the Commonwealth.
In the midst of their efforts to secure the recognition of a number of regional and international bodies, they acknowledged the unique moral authority of the Commonwealth, stressing their country’s desire to demonstrate its commitment to democracy, the rule of law and freedom of speech – the attainment of which would enable South Sudan to join the association.
The ideas generated during the May gathering will be used to kick-start a process of renewal, designed to strengthen and revitalise this important civil society network of individuals committed to promoting the Commonwealth and its ideals.
