A colourful opening ceremony of the 2011 Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF 2011) held at the Hyatt Hotel in Perth, Australia, was officiated upon by the Hon. Julia Gillard MP Prime Minister of Australia,  Hon. Colin Barnett MLA Premier of Western Australia and His Excellency,  Kamalesh Sharma Commonwealth Secretary-General.  Noongar Community Elders conducted a ‘Welcome to Country’  for the delegates of the Forum.

After the opening, Sir Colin Shepherd, Chair of the Trustees of the Friends of the Commonwealth (Friends) launched the new international network and explained that its mission is to bring together a network of individuals and affiliated institutions who together can maximise the reach and impact of existing Commonwealth networks, to engage new audiences in Commonwealth affairs and to support civil society action to promote and uphold Commonwealth values. 

Friends is a new shared international network formed through a partnership between The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) and the Commonwealth Foundation.  The event was attended by dignitaries and representatives of networks and organisations from all over the Commonwealth.  In his remarks on the international network, Mr. Peter Kellner, Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society Council said: “My ambition for this CHOGM 2011 is to have Perth be remembered as the week Commonwealth civil society grew teeth."

The CPF 2011 taking place over three days will see civil society deliberate key issues facing Commonwealth people and continue to call for change in our Commonwealth nations.  In closing, Sir Colin Shepherd called on delegates to join Friends of the Commonwealth saying that “civil society has never been more active nor has it had so much potential.  The internet connects communities across the world at the click of the button.  It has never been so easy to be an engaged citizen of the Commonwealth.  Friends of the Commonwealth will provide a forum to support and engage an active Commonwealth community.”

As an online community, Friends of the Commonwealth will be able to share Commonwealth news and information with targeted audiences; it will engage a wider international audience in Commonwealth affairs and it will inform members about key advocacy campaigns, such as the RCS campaign against early and forced marriage. 

As an online network Friends is designed to empower individual Commonwealth citizens and organisations to use a variety of online tools to engage, share knowledge and together influence positions of national interest and the intergovernmental Commonwealth.  It will enable the active involvement of members in Commonwealth affairs and projects, maximising the impact of our work around the world.

Become a Friend of the Commonwealth.