History of the Commonwealth
The Commonwealth has been described as an organism which could evolve, but could not have been constructed from a blueprint. This distinguishes it from the United Nations, built around its charter in the conscious endeavour to establish universally-recognised standards for international conduct.
Unlike other international official organisations, the character of the Commonwealth is less markedly that of an alliance or contractual arrangement as of a family. Many Commonwealth presidents and prime ministers, and its Head, Queen Elizabeth II, have drawn attention to this feeling of family. Like a family, the Commonwealth exists because its members feel they have a natural connection of long standing. Its work for development has been possible because the Commonwealth connection was already there.
Members see the connection as natural because they have a shared past, a common language and, despite their differences, an enhanced capacity to trust one another. They have used this link to strengthen each other's development, and to work in partnership to advance global agreement over crucial issues such as trade, debt, gender equality, the environment, the threat of terrorism and the international financial system.