Model CHOGMS

 A model Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) challenges participants to act as the Head of Government or Foreign Minister of one of the 53 Commonwealth countries, to build consensus towards a better future regarding current global issues.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent and equal sovereign states. It includes countries from every region of the world: Europe, Africa, the Americas and Caribbean, Asia, and the Pacific. The Commonwealth has nearly ⅓ of the global population; ¼ of the landmass; and a GDP greater than the Eurozone.

The Commonwealth is bound by: respect for all states and the diversity of peoples; shared democratic values, and concern for the vulnerable. Within the Commonwealth 31 of the countries are small island or vulnerable states with less than 1.5 million people.

Model CHOGMS operate much like a model UN scenario, with individuals acting as the heads of government of Commonwealth countries and engaging in discussions as their country would. Critically, country representatives in a model CHOGM must reach a consensus on the issues discussed, adding a challenging element that is of great contemporary importance.To reach consensus in representing a country, it requires listening, empathy, and the adoption of more inclusive language given the varying political, economic, and social needs and capacities.This is a fun, active way of demonstrating how the Commonwealth works and allows students to actively participate in the learning process.