The Commonwealth Foundation
The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation resourced by and reporting to Commonwealth governments. Founded in 1965, its mandate is to strengthen civil society and thereby enhance development and democracy in the Commonwealth. In 2008 the Commonwealth Foundation produced a three-year strategic plan that focuses on four programmes: culture, governance and democracy, human development, and communities and livelihoods.
Vision
The Foundation's Vision is of a Commonwealth where citizens are able to give voice to their aspirations, identify their own solutions and fulfil their role in society. It is a Commonwealth where citizens individually and collectively express themselves for the public good at local, national and international levels by facing global challenges, building strong communities and promoting citizens' rights. It is a Commonwealth where civil society organisations realise their full potential, engaging with their governments and the private sector in the shared enterprise of transformational nation-building and international cooperation.
Mission Statement
The Commonwealth Foundation's mission is to strengthen civil society organisations across the Commonwealth as they promote democracy, advance sustainable development and foster inter-cultural understanding.
Programmes and Initiatives
The Foundation's work is guided by Commonwealth values and programme priorities based on working with civil society organisations and professional associations in the Commonwealth. These priorities include those related to democracy and good governance, respect for human rights and gender equality, poverty reduction, and sustainable, people-centred development. The Foundation supports civil society activities that contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. It funds inter-country networking (particularly among developing countries), training, capacity-building and information exchange. In particular, it targets activities that strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations in their work on poverty eradication, good governance and sustainable development.
Publications
The Foundation publishes a variety of publications and toolkits, a full list of which may be found at www.commonwealthfoundation.com
Contact Details
The Commonwealth Foundation
Marlborough House
Pall Mall, London
SW1Y 5HY, UK
Tel + 44 20 7930 3783
Fax + 44 20 7839 8157
E-mail: geninfo@commonwealth.int
www.commonwealthfoundation.com
Officers
Chair: Simone de Comarmond
Director: Dr Mark Collins
Deputy Director: Vijay Krishnarayan