Latest content: Governance and law

News and events from around the Commonwealth this week.

The Commonwealth is pleased to announce the appointment of Luis G.Franceschi as Senior Director of the Governance and Peace Directorate.

Young people have said their efforts to stem extremism and build peace remain largely overlooked at the national and global levels.

Tackling corruption has to be a priority of the highest order if we are earnest about achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the world marks International Anti-Corruption Day - a day set aside to raise public awareness of anti-corruption actions - the International Monetary Fund estimates bribery costs the global economy roughly 1.5 to 2 trillion dollars a year.

Commonwealth law ministers have unanimously resolved to remove barriers to access to justice in their respective countries, and to deliver Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions by 2030.

A robust framework for resolving cross-border commercial disputes can help unlock valuable trade and investment opportunities for Commonwealth countries.

Access to justice for everyone in all communities is an important right and requirement for building fair and peaceful societies – yet this objective has been achieved in few if any nations, and the consequences are damaging for social, economic and political progress and stability.

People must have faith in the justice system for the rule of law to work, according to the Commonwealth Secretary-General. Patricia Scotland spoke at the opening ceremony of Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Law ministers and attorney generals from Commonwealth countries will meet in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to address challenges faced by millions of people seeking to resolve legal problems or disputes. These include barriers such as poverty, lack of legal aid, distrust of the justice system, and corruption.

Community actors in Malawi are set to benefit from a special training programme aimed at enhancing local skills in dialogue and dispute resolution.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana today met at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Today the Commonwealth Ministerial Committee on Belize convened at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Commonwealth countries have been told to reform laws restricting press freedom and to encourage media to work freely on all issues of public importance.

A Commonwealth handbook launched today will help East African judicial officers proactively handle cases of violence against women and girls (VAWG), which affects up to one in three women in their lifetime.

An expert working group discussing the future role of electronic evidence in prosecutions has held its first meeting.

Following a request made by the Government of Dominica jointly to the CARICOM Secretariat (CARICOM), the Commonwealth Secretariat and the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS), to assist in the country’s efforts with various aspects of electoral reform, the three organisations have agreed to partner in a Joint Special Mission to Dominica.

A project to enhance Commonwealth countries’ capacity in election cybersecurity is underway. A Commonwealth Guide on Election Cybersecurity is being developed to support Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to manage risks associated with the use of technologies in elections.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid (WLA-CdM) have entered into an agreement that commits the two organisations to work in closer partnership to promote peace and good governance in the countries they serve.

Inequality, child marriage and social and cultural norms are just some of the barriers that girls face in their pursuit of education.

Members of a discussion panel co-hosted by the Commonwealth have said the safety and freedom of media workers is linked to the achievement of sustainable development goal 16.10, which ensures public access to information.

Plans are being floated for the creation of a Commonwealth “model law” aimed at helping countries manage profits gained from their natural resources. On 24-25 June, senior officials from 17 member countries joined a two-day workshop on natural resource sovereign wealth funds (SWFs).

The Commonwealth has continued efforts to strengthen conflict prevention mechanisms in Ghana by convening a three-day workshop. The event in Kumasi, from 24 to 26 June, is designed to address the root causes of violence by strengthening local capacities and promoting the use of effective dialogue and advocacy in containing impending threats.

At a Commonwealth seminar entitled ‘Peace in the home: ending domestic violence together', experts in health, gender, law and human rights have called for more action aimed at eliminating gender-based violence, particularly domestic violence.

Experts from 16 countries responsible for guiding the Commonwealth’s response against violent extremism have praised the ongoing efforts while making the case for further assistance. The Commonwealth Cadre of Experts on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) met this week in Wilton Park, United Kingdom, to sketch an action plan in the lead-up to the 2020 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).