The Commonwealth Foundation, in collaboration with the Royal Commonwealth Society, is looking at ways to consolidate and revitalise some of the Commonwealth’s ailing networks.
The value of a good, tight network is immeasurable, as strong networks attract new people, different voices and fresh ideas. But a network is only as good as its incentive for membership. Kudos, learning and contacts are necessary to bring together a solid group of people, and to create a network that will flourish with the right amount of nurturing, management and guidance. Cohesiveness breeds strength, and the stronger the voice, the greater the impact of the network.
The Commonwealth has many networks, none of them in a particularly good state of health. Dwindling numbers, breakaway factions and groups within groups all weaken any cohesive message they try to deliver. The Commonwealth Foundation has decided to take the bull by the horns – or rather the networks by its members – and is looking for ways to shape and shake things up. Early discussions with the Royal Commonwealth Society have raised a number of exciting possibilities of what the Commonwealth could achieve with the right kind of franchise.
One of these possibilities is to bring the majority of Commonwealth networks online in order to gain access to thousands of people around the world. This would open up genuine engagement and dialogue and provide the Commonwealth with a means by which to measure its impact. As the Commonwealth considers the recommendations for reform made by the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), its focus must be on making it more accountable to its members. What better way to do that than to have a thousands-strong network of people only a click away?
And the Commonwealth can make this happen by utilising its Friends network, the newest organisation and the one with the most distance from the political Commonwealth. The Friends already works in partnership with many associations in six national chapters around the Commonwealth and, among other things, helps raise funds for small charities.
At the other end of the scale, the Royal Commonwealth Society stands as the most established network in the Commonwealth. A franchise of over 10,000 members across the globe, it has recognised that it is in need of revitalisation.
Thus the conclusion that the two should partner was only logical – providing the opportunity for citizens to mobilise and realise the value of the Commonwealth and creating a space for people to interact with each other. Combine all this with a new Friends website, with a focus on social networking, and the potential to draw large numbers of citizens, and we could be on to a good thing.
For further information visit: www.commonwealthfriends.org
