The Commonwealth Story

In 1957 Ghana, in West Africa, became independent of British rule and joined the Commonwealth. In the 1960s and 1970s, many other countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific became independent. Some had fought wars for their freedom. Yet almost all joined the Commonwealth

Countries of different cultures, languages and faiths now want to be part of the Commonwealth club. Big and small countries, rich and poor countries, they are all treated the same.

The Commonwealth Story

1931

1947

1960s & 1970s

1990s

The 21st century and beyond

HISTORY

FREEDOM FOR SOUTH AFRICAIn 1994, South Africa returned to the Commonwealth as a multi-racial democracy under the leadership of Nelson Mandela. He famously said:"The Commonwealth makes the world safe for diversity ."This means that the Commonwealth is a good example of how different people from different countries can work together for good things.

" A free association of independent countries". India and Pakistan became independent after a long struggle against Britain. two years later India entered the Commonwealth as a republic and agreed to accept the British monarch as a symbol.The Commonwealth became " a free association of independent countries".

The Commonwealth of NationsAustralia, New Zealand and South Africa , now independent, decided to join Britain in a club called the Commonwealth of Nations.

THE BEGINNING

Fighting against RacismIn 1961 South Africa left the Commonwealth because of its racist policies of apartheid. in 1971, Commonwealth leaders agreed to work for racial justice and supported the struggle of South Africans against the white minority rule.

1960s &1970s

THE BIRTH OF THE MODERN MULTI-RACIAL COMMONWEALTH

ENLARGEMENT OF  THE COMMONWEALTH

OTHER COUNTRIES JOIN NAMIBIA JOINED IN 1990, CAMEROONAND MOZAMBIQUE JOINED IN 1995 AND RWANDA IN 2009

DiversityEqualityFriendship