Commonwealth Family
Encyclopedia
The Commonwealth Family is a network of associations
, organisations, and charities
affiliated to the Commonwealth of Nations
. Although associated with the Commonwealth, they are not fully a part of it, and membership is on a voluntary basis from within the membership of the Commonwealth. They are designed to advance the principles and policies of the Commonwealth itself.
In some cases, such as Sight Savers International and the English-Speaking Union
, they operate outside the Commonwealth, but are still considered a part of the Commonwealth Family, as they still operate predominantly within the Commonwealth.
Voluntary association
A voluntary association or union is a group of individuals who enter into an agreement as volunteers to form a body to accomplish a purpose.Strictly speaking, in many jurisdictions no formalities are necessary to start an association...
, organisations, and charities
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
affiliated to the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
. Although associated with the Commonwealth, they are not fully a part of it, and membership is on a voluntary basis from within the membership of the Commonwealth. They are designed to advance the principles and policies of the Commonwealth itself.
In some cases, such as Sight Savers International and the English-Speaking Union
English-Speaking Union
The English-Speaking Union is an international educational charity which was founded by the journalist Evelyn Wrench in 1918. The ESU aims to "bring together and empower people of different languages and cultures," by building skills and confidence in communication, such that individuals realize...
, they operate outside the Commonwealth, but are still considered a part of the Commonwealth Family, as they still operate predominantly within the Commonwealth.
List of organisations
Member organisations of the Commonwealth Family include:- Association of Commonwealth UniversitiesAssociation of Commonwealth UniversitiesThe Association of Commonwealth Universities represents over 480 universities from Commonwealth countries.- History :In 1912, the University of London took the initiative to assemble 53 representatives of universities in London to hold a Congress of Universities of the Empire...
- Commonwealth Broadcasting AssociationCommonwealth Broadcasting AssociationFounded in 1945, the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association is a representative body for public service broadcasters throughout the Commonwealth. A not-for-profit non-government organisation, the CBA is funded by subscriptions from 102 members and affiliates from 53 countries...
- Commonwealth Business CouncilCommonwealth Business CouncilThe Commonwealth Business Council is an institution of the Commonwealth Family that aims to utilise the global network of the Commonwealth of Nations more effectively for the promotion of global trade and investment for shared prosperity...
- Commonwealth FoundationCommonwealth FoundationThe Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation that was established by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1965, the same year as its sister organisation, the Commonwealth Secretariat...
- Commonwealth Games Federation
- Commonwealth of LearningCommonwealth of LearningThe Commonwealth of Learning is an intergovernmental organization of the Commonwealth of Nations headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
- Commonwealth Local Government ForumCommonwealth Local Government ForumThe Commonwealth Local Government Forum is a global local government association, akin to the United Cities and Local Governments, for local authorities in all members of the Commonwealth of Nations....
- Commonwealth Parliamentary AssociationCommonwealth Parliamentary AssociationThe Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, previously known as the Empire Parliamentary Association, is an organisation, of British origin, which works to support good governance, democracy and human rights...
- Commonwealth War Graves CommissionCommonwealth War Graves CommissionThe Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an intergovernmental organisation of six independent member states whose principal function is to mark, record and maintain the graves, and places of commemoration, of Commonwealth of Nations military service members who died in the two World Wars...
- English-Speaking UnionEnglish-Speaking UnionThe English-Speaking Union is an international educational charity which was founded by the journalist Evelyn Wrench in 1918. The ESU aims to "bring together and empower people of different languages and cultures," by building skills and confidence in communication, such that individuals realize...