Wouldn’t it make sense if Commonwealth organisations worked together in the same location? We could create a more collaborative, dynamic and innovative way of working. And make more efficient use of our assets. That was the thinking behind the creation of our Commonwealth Hub.
Her Majesty The Queen launched the new centre in June 2016, just ahead of her 90th birthday. The Hub is located at Commonwealth House – just across Pall Mall from our headquarters in Marlborough House. You can now find three of our most important bodies there, under one roof: Commonwealth Games Federation, Commonwealth Local Government Forum, and the Royal Commonwealth Society.
So why does our new Hub matter? It will help deliver the Secretary-General’s vision to work more closely with all Commonwealth organisations. It will assist us in honouring the values of the Commonwealth Charter. And it will help us fulfil our commitments on health, education, climate change, good governance, equality and the rule of law in the Sustainable Development Goals and COP 21.
Our Hub will bring the Commonwealth Games to the heart of our headquarters. It will encourage more young people to become engaged in Commonwealth issues. And it will provide a focal point for reaching mayors and elected councillors and their local communities right across the Commonwealth.
Louise Martin, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation President, said:
“Partnerships sit at the heart of Transformation 2022, our new vision to move from a four-yearly event cycle to a year-round movement connecting athletes and citizens across the Commonwealth through sport. We rely on and enjoy incredibly positive partnerships with colleagues across the Commonwealth family to promote the Commonwealth, deliver projects or showcase initiatives on the level playing field of sport. I’ve no doubt our combined move to Commonwealth House will realise an inspiring and impactful new era of Commonwealth-wide collaborations and celebrations built on shared values”.
Carl Wright, Commonwealth Local Government Forum Secretary-General, said:
“The Commonwealth Local Government Forum is the Commonwealth organisation focusing on delivering local democracy and development, including implementation of the SDGs. As one of the key Commonwealth organisations, CLGF is recognised as an associated organisation and works closely with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other relevant Commonwealth bodies including the Royal Commonwealth Society and the Commonwealth Games Federation.
“This Commonwealth hub, based at Commonwealth House, is an exciting development that will help us better coordinate our work with other Commonwealth organisations and provide added value to our members and citizens of the Commonwealth to help deliver development, local government, good governance and a better quality of life for the 2.4 billion citizens we and our members serve.”
Claire Whitaker OBE, Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, said:
“This is a very exciting moment in the 148 year history of the Royal Commonwealth Society and we are proud to be collaborating with other Commonwealth colleagues on this exciting initiative. The Commonwealth Hub represents an aspirational and exciting step forward for the Commonwealth to make the best possible use of its many and varied assets. I anticipate invigorated collaboration across the Commonwealth family and a more vibrant and creative presence for the Commonwealth itself.”
