The Commonwealth
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The Commonwealth
March 11th is Commonwealth Day, but what exactly is the Commonwealth?
Where is the Commonwealth, and who lives there?
The Commonwealth is a group of 54 countries, spread all over the globe, north to south, east to west. The countries range in size from the tiny island of Nauru in the Pacific ocean (which is so small that it doesn't have a capital), to Canada, the largest territory in the world. Both rich and poor countries are members - the GDP of Singapore is about 200 times that of Sierra Leone. Over one and a half billion people (a quarter of the world's population) live in the Commonwealth, and between them represent nearly every religion, race and political system on the planet.
What is the Commonwealth?
Hot and cold, rich and poor, wet and dry, island and land-locked, the list of opposites used to describe the countries which make up the Commonwealth seems endless. Just what do they all have in common?
The member states all use English as a common working language, and have similar legal and education systems. The countries support each other in their aims to reduce poverty, prejudice, ignorance and disease, and to promote human rights and social development.
Historically, the modern Commonwealth is a product of the British Empire, and began in the late 1940s, after India and Pakistan gained independence. As more and more countries took charge of their own affairs in the 1950s and 1960s, many were attracted to the aims and values of the Commonwealth, resulting in the family of nations seen today.
Activities and events
The Commonwealth is active in a huge number of areas, including ecology, health and economics, providing and sharing information, training and expertise to further the aims of the organisation. The Heads of Government Meeting is held every two years, where the leaders of the member states get together to discuss current issues. Commonwealth Day is held in the second week of March every year, where Commonwealth citizens, particularly children, have a chance to celebrate their friendship.
The Commonwealth also hosts sporting and arts events. There is an annual writers prize, which has been won in previous years by famous authors such as Peter Carey and Louis de Bernieres, and a yearly arts and crafts competition. Perhaps the most well-known event sponsored by the organisation is the Commonwealth Games, which is held every four years in one of the member countries. The games have gained the nickname 'the Friendly Games' because of their reputation for good-natured competitiveness.
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Comments
Very interesting Article, but I am not sure if They are reaching exactly the goals of the Organization because anyone can see Commonwealth members from the 60's that are still in extreme poverty.
I really liked it this article, I found it very interesting. I did not know about this organization, It is good to know that so many countries in the world can be together without prejudices, where every country works in order to help others. I am going to look for futher information about it.
I found this article very interesting. It makes you search for further information. I truly believe that this kind of organization could made the different in so many countries, especially in those who really need it.
This article is very interesting, I think this is a role model.. many countries all over the world should take this as an example to follow, we need a change. We need to focus on solving critical issues such as poverty, diseases, insecurity and human rights promotion. I think unification is a very good way to find solutions to these problems.
It is a very good listening excercise!
Thanks!
I find it very interesting!. I would really like that the spanish speaking countries could form an organization like this one, therefore it could be an institution that works in this type of topics that means so much to the hispanic population around the world.
I find it very interesting. I would really like that the spanish speaking countries could form this type of organization, and therefore it could be an institution that works in these topics than means so much for the hispanic population around the world.
And I agree with the coment that Gaba submitted, because the article never mention the capital cities of the countries that were in the activity.
It was a very interesting article, I learnt many new things about this conuntries, and it's amazing the opposities that they are.
Its a very god article ! We can learn a bit more about the countries in the wold!
i like it because i had no idea that such an organization existed.
althought it seems an elitist organization, i like the fact that they support each other in their aims to reduce poverty, prejudice, ignorance and disease, among other things
Very interesting article. It is very good for practice listening!