Is There Any Future For The Commonwealth?

Some people question the need of the Commonwealth, while other consider it as an indispensable organization. In my opinion, the Commonwealth does have a future. It has done significant work in the areas of health, human rights and education. In addition to this, it provides a sense of security for the small nations. I think this work is worth continuing.

The Commonwealth has a comprehensive health programme, and central in this program is HIV / AIDS. More than 25 million people have died of this pandemic since it first was discovered, and the Commonwealths health section is doing an important job in preventing further expansion. Through workshops and seminars, they try to help countries to strengthen their health and education sector's response to HIV / AIDS (see: http://www.thecommonwealth.org). Many people in the Third World do not have the necessary knowledge about this subject, and the Commonwealth aims to provide it. One of the other highlights in their health programme is the infant health. With more than 30.000 children under the age of five dying every day , this is one of the greatest challenges for the Commonwealth. Most of these deaths are due to pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles and AIDS, and the Commonwealth is planning to reverse this trend. They aim to provide antibiotics, proper nutrition and access to food, insecticide treated mosquito nets, appropriate drugs for malaria and access to drugs that prevent mother to child HIV transmission. Healthy infants and children are the key to future prosperity for all Commonwealth countries, and is therefore a top priority for the organization (see: http://www.thecommonwealth.org).

Promotion of human rights is one of the fundamental objectives of the Commonwealth . Due to undemocratic governments and leaderships, many people in the third world countries are not protected by the human rights. Again, the Commonwealth plays an important role in providing knowledge and awareness of this subject. By education and training, they aim to increase the level of awareness and understanding of human rights among key actors and agencies in their member countries