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July 2009
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CHOGM, which is the meeting of the supreme body of the Commonwealth, will be hosted in Port of Spain, Trinidad from November 27th to 29th, 2009. Held every two years, CHOGM brings together Commonwealth leaders to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, to agree upon collective policies and initiatives, to review global, political and economic developments, and to conduct a strategic overview of the Commonwealth’s work in support of the interests of member countries. “I’m proud to be associated with advancing the CPF here, having been part of the previous pair in Kampala and Malta. The Forum and related People’s Space provide a unique opportunity to showcase the rich diversity of Commonwealth networks, concerns, contributions and possibilities,” said Prof Shaw. The People’s Space, a component of this year’s CPF programme, is an interactive area with performances and mini-workshops, open to participants and visitors alike. The programme will also include an opening plenary session, workshops on key issues and the CHOGM theme, and field trips. The CPF assembly themes include deepening democracy, environment and climate change, financial crisis, gender, health & HIV/AIDS, HR, peace & conflict. The CPF, which will take place in the week preceding CHOGM, aims to raise the profile of civil society organisations and to strengthen links between them. It also seeks to create opportunities for dialogue between civil society and government ministers on priority issues in the Commonwealth. Inputs from the CPF are eventually presented to CHOGM at the round table with Foreign Ministers. The CPF is organised by the Commonwealth Foundation, together with civil society and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Prof Shaw is engaged as a continuing member of the Civil Society Advisory Committee to the Commonwealth Foundation in London. For more information, please visit the CHOGM website at http://www.chogm2009.org/cpf.htm, or contact the Institute of International Relations at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago at (868) 662 2002 Ext. 2010 or 2011, or visit the IIR website at www.sta.uwi.edu/iir.
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In the lead-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November 2009, Professor Timothy Shaw, Director of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Institute of International Relations (IIR), has been appointed to the newAdvisory Committee for the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF).