Royal Commonwealth Society Dinner

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign)

May I then specifically greet you: Darryl Stevens, President of the Royal Commonwealth Society and Commonwealth Trust (Wellington); Your Excellencies George Fergusson, Dato’ Hasnudin Hamzah, Justice Rubin, Sateki Ahio, representing Siaosi ‘Aho, and Asi Tuiataga Faafili Blakelock, High Commissioners for the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, Tonga and Samoa respectively; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

It has been with pleasure that my wife Susan and I have accepted the invitation to be here for this evening’s occasion in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the modern Commonwealth of Nations.

The timing of this dinner is particularly appropriate as it coincides with the conclusion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and the completion of the Commonwealth Conversation initiative.

As Patron of the Society and as Governor-General of New Zealand I would like to take an opportunity to speak about the significance of the modern Commonwealth in the 21st century.

Sixty years on from the Declaration of London in 1949, the Commonwealth has been transformed from an imperial gathering into a free association of fifty three independent states.  What was once a small gathering of affluent countries, eight in all, namely; Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Ceylon and the United Kingdom, is now represented by a variety of rich, poor, large and small nations.  With a diverse range of ethnicities, cultures and religions represented, these nations cooperate for the common interest of their people and for the promotion of international understanding.

Beyond the history, language, sporting, parliamentary, legal and institutional ties, it is the values of the association that unify the 53 members. Those values are democracy, freedom, peace, the rule of law and equality—values that New Zealand places at the forefront of its international relations.

Since these values were formalised by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Singapore in 1971, the relevance of the association and its values has repeatedly been reaffirmed and consolidated.  The point was well made a couple of years ago by Mohan Kaul, Director-General of the Commonwealth Business Association, in the following words:-

“A decade ago, debates about the relevance of the Commonwealth focused on overcoming its legacy, its outdated image as a collection of former British colonies. Few anticipated that a quiet revolution was already taking place which rendered this debate redundant. The Commonwealth was showing its remarkable resilience, reinventing itself by becoming a new global economic and political presence.”

When the London Declaration was issued, it established King George VI as Head of the Association, and also stated that is members would work for the “pursuit of peace, liberty and progress”.  But what does that mean then for an organisation that now represents nearly two billion people, most of them living in republics and where half are under the age of twenty five?  In this context, the Commonwealth theme for 2009 of “…serving a new generation” is very appropriate.  Two initiatives have given resonance to that theme.

The CHOGM meeting that has now concluded, held in the host nation of Trinidad and Tobago, is a reaffirmation of the relevance and importance of the Commonwealth bond between countries at the Heads of Government level.  The benefits of these regular meetings were well outlined by Sir Donald McKinnon, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, in a recent opinion article he wrote in The New Zealand Herald.  He provides a number of cogent, practical arguments that discount those who may be quick to write “the usual obituaries” for the Commonwealth.

Beyond those practical reasons, however like all international organisations, I believe the future of the Commonwealth lies less with those in power now than with those who will guide its future in 25 years’ time.

I was therefore interested to see that before CHOGM, there was held the 7th Commonwealth Youth Forum which is the first initiative that I wish to refer to.  With more than 600 participants, it was the largest Forum ever held and it delivered a clear message that it is by investing in youth that we will sustain our world. Mrs Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, spoke to those young delegates attending and emphasised the importance of the Commonwealth bond.

She said: “This Forum is happening at a time when our world is faced with tremendous challenges: wars, an economic and financial crisis, climate change, growing poverty, social and political unrest.”  She further challenged the Forum to address these issues and added: “Challenging times require equally courageous and bold young people.”

Although we may be facing difficult times, it is through initiatives such as the Youth Forum, that young people will not only play a significant role in shaping their own futures but also assure the future of the Commonwealth.

The second initiative that I would like to highlight, and which is the subject of celebration at this evening’s gathering, is the Commonwealth Conversation. This global dialogue, facilitated by the Royal Commonwealth Society, is, I am told, the largest global dialogue ever undertaken between people of the Commonwealth about their association.

Through meetings throughout the world and by use of the power of the internet, people from throughout the Commonwealth have been invited to comment on a variety of subjects.  In addition to a blog by the Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, there have been interviews with academics and journalists and discussions where anyone can participate. 

One aim of the Commonwealth Conversation has been to find out how the Commonwealth can add value to the international community in the 21st century.  A wide range of views and comments have been made with some not pulling their punches.  That is healthy and is in keeping with an organisation that promotes the values of democracy.  It has also spoken very directly to young people and people outside the diplomatic circuit.  It is an initiative I wish to commend.

A few years ago, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth observed that: “It is easy enough to define what the Commonwealth is not. Indeed this is quite a popular pastime.”  The discussions within the Commonwealth Conversation interestingly show what the Commonwealth can be, rather than what it is not.

The Conversation focuses on the future.  What comes out repeatedly is the view that it is vital for the Commonwealth to continue to give practical expression to the ideals of the London Declaration – so that it works “in pursuit of peace, liberty and progress”. It is by striving to live up to these ideals, rather than by just giving them lip service, that we can make them relevant to the citizenry of the Commonwealth in today’s world. 

And on that heartening note, and in this celebration of the Commonwealth, I will close in New Zealand’s first language Maori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your future endeavours. 

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa