Royal Commonwealth Society – International Meeting, London 2018

Conference and Events

Over the period 15-18 October, 2018, Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) London hosted delegates from RCS Branches worldwide to a Conference in the City of London, in order to impart information and gather feedback from branch delegates.

Attending on behalf of RCS Edmonton Branch was; Mr Ian Havin – Chair, Mr Bernhard Baker – 1st Vice Chair & Director of Public Relations and Mrs Mary Cherniawski – Director of Memberships.

The Conference has held at South Africa House and Central Hall Westminster. Social events were held at Westminster and Lancaster House.

Day One

We were welcomed to South Africa House by the High Commissioner for South Africa, Her Excellency Ms Nomatemba Olivia Tambo, and a further welcoming address was delivered by the Chair of The Royal Commonwealth Society, Dr Linda Yueh. The Chief Executive of the RCS, Dr Greg Munro, then welcomed us and kicked off a question and answer session with him and Dr Yueh.

Dr Munro over viewed the Charter of Values, advised us of his vision for the RCS and some of the challenges and constraints that RCS London faces. He then listened to and field some very valuable feedback from branch delegates.

We were then addressed by the UK Envoy to the Commonwealth, Mr Philip Parham CMG on the UK priorities as Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth, who as a follow-on, took questions from the delegates.

The afternoon was dedicated to Youth engagement and participation. This comprised of an introduction and two sessions that included questions and answers. The sessions were; the Young Adult’s vision for the RCS and What works and how to do it. Topics for the second session included; engaging with schools, the Queens Commonwealth Essay Competition, Youth Model CHOGM’s, RCS Youth Networks, Associate Fellows and CYGEN (Commonwealth Youth Gender Equality Network). Also covered were Youth interchange programs and opportunities for collaboration.

Day Two

The venue was Central Hall Westminster hard by Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, where we were welcomed by Dr Munro. The first part of the morning was taken up with Branch Panel Discussion on integrating youth and the branch benefits.

Speakers for this Panel were; Mr Dhanesh Basil – Regional Youth Co-ordinator, Asia – Director of Youth Affairs, Malaysia. Ms Jenny Stodola – Regional Youth Coordinator, Americas. Mr Blackson Olaseni Bayewumi – Country Director, RCS Nigeria.

Following the addresses, a question and answer session was chaired by Mrs Libby Ellis OAM – Regional Coordinator, Australia and President, RCS South Australia.

Following a break, we had another Branch Panel Discussion on Rejuvenation and Inter-generational Renewal. Speakers for this Panel were; Country Director, RCS Japan, Mr Victor Ndede – Chairman-designate, RCS Kenya, Mrs Cheryll Sealey Belle – Regional Co-ordinator, Caribbean, Chair, RCS Barbados, and Mr Darryl Stevens – Regional Coordinator, Pacific, Chair, RCS Wellington.

After the Panel Discussion delegates moved rooms into Regional Breakout Groups to discuss Rejuvenation and Renewal. The Group for the Americas was facilitated by Mrs Judith Elson - Regional Co-ordinator, Americas, Mrs Cheryll Sealey Belle - Regional Coordinator, Caribbean and Ms Jenny Stodola - Regional Youth Coordinator, Americas.

After lunch, the regional groups presented their findings from their Breakout Sessions to the assembled Delegates.

That afternoon, there was a presentation on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals and the Role of Cities by Ms Lucy Slack – Deputy Secretary-General, Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF). Following her presentation, she answered questions from the floor.

After a break, we had another Panel Discussion on Environmental Challenges. Presenting were; Ms Asia Williams, Steering Committee, Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network, Mr Nathan McKenzie, QCC Lead, The Royal Commonwealth Society, and Mr Jeff Ardron – Blue Charter Lead, Commonwealth Secretariat. These presenters then took questions from the floor.

The final activity of the day was the One People Oration delivered by The Right Honorable Patricia Scotland QC, Commonwealth Secretary General. This oration was delivered to the Conference inside Westminster Abbey, and was followed by a Reception which the Secretary General attended.

Day Three

Our venue was again South Africa House in Trafalgar Square. Following a welcome by Dr Greg Munro – The Chief Executive, The Royal Commonwealth Society, the conference went on to a Panel Discussion on maximizing Our Engagement with Commonwealth Citizens, which was chaired by Dr Greg Munro and Mr Colin Millner – RCS Australia. Topics covered under this heading included; contributing to Commonwealth Priorities and The 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and Cultural and Community Outreach Activities. Dr Munro and Mr Millner then took questions from the floor.

After a break, we examined a Case Study: Community Engagement – Commonwealth Big Lunches, and the Eden Project. This Study was presented by Mr Peter Stewart MVO – Executive Director Outreach and Development Eden Project. 

Following lunch, the Conference reflected on topics and issues covered or raised during the week. This was open to the floor, and there were numerous submissions. This session included an advertisement for the upcoming RCS Asian Regional Conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia in February 2019.

The Conference then looked ahead to the next International meeting to be held in 2020. A number of RCS Branches then conducted Bid presentations, these being RCS Toronto, RCS Cyprus and RCS Cayman Islands. We were waiting for a bid from RCS Pakistan, but this did not eventuate.

The Conference then closed with addresses from the High Commissioner for South Africa, Her Excellency Ms Nomatemba Olivia Tambo, and the Chair of The Royal Commonwealth Society, Dr Linda Yueh. Events were concluded with an official photograph.

There was one last, very special event to attend. The 150th Anniversary Reception, at Lancaster House – St James London. This event was hosted by Her Majesty’s Government and the Duchess of Cornwall. The event was well patronized by members of HM Government and numerous High Commissioners in addition to the RCS. The Duchess moved through the guests and spoke with a great many people. Lancaster House is the film set for the television series The Crown and is amazing to see.

Summary

Overall, the Conference was very successful. This assertion is based on the positive attitude that pervaded the Conference, the very valuable information that was imparted by RCS London, and RCS London’s willingness to listen to, and note down feedback from delegates.

The conference venues were impressive, these being South Africa House and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Central Hall at Westminster.

The sending of a delegation to the International Conference was highly worthwhile, even though the pace of things being somewhat hectic. Work days were long, and very little time was available for personal pursuits. Consequently, the three Edmonton delegates returned home very tired.

The knowledge gleaned and the contacts made at the Conference are considered very valuable, and it is considered that every effort should be made to send delegates from RCS Edmonton to future Conferences.