Commonwealth – CPA Charter

 

The Charter brings together the values and aspirations which unite the Commonwealth – democracy, human rights and the rule of law – in a single, accessible document.   The Charter expresses the commitment of member states to the development of free and democratic societies and the promotion of peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all peoples of the Commonwealth.   The Charter also acknowledges the role of civil society in supporting the goals and values of the Commonwealth.

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Read also – the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association – (CPA) was founded in 1911 at a meeting of Heads of Government in Westminster Hall as the then-Empire Parliamentary Association and its affairs were administered by the UK Branch. The original members were Australia, Canada, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
1911 – South Africa – Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

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Commonwealth Charter
https://thecommonwealth.org/our-charter

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We the people of the Commonwealth

Recognising that in an era of changing economic circumstances and uncertainty, new trade and economic patterns, unprecedented threats to peace and security, and a surge in popular demands for democracy, human rights and broadened economic opportunities, the potential of and need for the Commonwealth – as a compelling force for good and as an effective network for co-operation and for promoting development – has never been greater,

Recalling that the Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent and equal sovereign states, each responsible for its own policies, consulting and co-operating in the common interests of our peoples and in the promotion of international understanding and world peace, and influencing international society to the benefit of all through the pursuit of common principles and values,

Affirming that the special strength of the Commonwealth lies in the combination of our diversity and our shared inheritance in language, culture and the rule of law; and bound together by shared history and tradition; by respect for all states and peoples; by shared values and principles and by concern for the vulnerable,

Affirming that the Commonwealth way is to seek consensus through consultation and the sharing of experience, especially through practical co-operation, and further affirming that the Commonwealth is uniquely placed to serve as a model and as a catalyst for new forms of friendship and co-operation in the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations,

Affirming the role of the Commonwealth as a recognised intergovernmental champion of small states, advocating for their special needs; providing policy advice on political, economic and social development issues; and delivering technical assistance,

Welcoming the valuable contribution of the network of the many intergovernmental, parliamentary, professional and civil society bodies which support the Commonwealth and which subscribe and adhere to its values and principles,

Affirming the validity of and our commitment to the values and principles of the Commonwealth as defined and strengthened over the years including:

the Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles 

Click to access Singapore%20Declaration.pdf

the Harare Commonwealth Declaration
https://thecommonwealth.org/sites/default/files/history-items/documents/Harare%20Commonwealth%20Declaration%201991.pdf

the Langkawi Declaration on the Environment
https://thecommonwealth.org/langkawi-declaration-environment

The nine provincial legislatures in South Africa, was created on 27 April 1994 by the Interim Constitution of South Africa, which dissolved the four original provinces (and their provincial councils) and created the nine current provinces. It is currently constituted in terms of Chapter Six of the Constitution of South Africa, which defines the structure of the provincial governments
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Northern_Cape_Provincial_Legislature

the Millbrook Action Programme,
the Latimer House Principles,
the Aberdeen Agenda,
the Trinidad and Tobago Affirmation of Commonwealth Values and Principles,
the Munyonyo Statement on Respect and Understanding,
the Lake Victoria Commonwealth Climate Change Action Plan,
the Perth Declaration on Food Security Principles, and
the Commonwealth Declaration on Investing in Young People.