PRESS RELEASE - Tuesday, 1 September 2009

Royal Commonwealth Society to continue activities in Fiji, despite today’s suspension from Commonwealth

Responding to the news of Fiji’s full suspension from the Commonwealth today, the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), the oldest and largest civil society organisation devoted to the Commonwealth, announced that it would continue to work within Fijian civil society. The decision to suspend the Fiji Islands was announced on Tuesday, 1 September 2009. This came after the Commonwealth’s punitive body, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) had met on 31 July and urged the Fiji regime to make a firm commitment to restore democracy before the beginning of September. This action means that the Government of Fiji will be excluded from all inter-governmental activities and programmes of the Commonwealth, including the Commonwealth Games.

However, with the aim of retaining and fostering civil society links between Fiji and the rest of the Commonwealth, the RCS branch in the Fiji Islands today announced that it would not only continue but also seek to develop its activities despite the suspension. Having held an AGM on 12 June 2009 and with a newly-elected executive, the RCS Fiji branch is looking to continue its important work in conducting cultural and social activities that promote international understanding. Planned activities for the new branch include art exhibitions, social events with leading speakers, and meetings of business leaders.

Mr. Juris Gulbis, President of the Royal Commonwealth Society Fiji Branch said: “We may have been fully suspended from the Commonwealth, but the Royal Commonwealth Society Fiji Branch will do its utmost to ensure that the people of Fiji remain active within the Commonwealth family. We will continue to do our work to support the community.”

Dr. Danny Sriskandarajah, the Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, said: “Despite today’s news, the RCS is delighted that the people of Fiji will still have a connection to the Commonwealth through the excellent work of committed members of our branch. It is vital that Commonwealth civil society does not turn its back on Fiji in this difficult time. We encourage all Commonwealth organisations to follow our lead and make sure that the people of Fiji remain actively engaged in the Commonwealth’s work. With a newly-elected branch President and an energetic executive, I am confident that the Fiji branch will become an important member of the RCS family.”

Notes to editors:

The Commonwealth: The modern Commonwealth was established with 8 members in
1949. In 2009, it has 53 members with a total population of nearly 2 billion. It is an association of governments and peoples, built around shared language, institutions, challenges, aspirations and values. The Commonwealth promotes democracy, development, and diversity within its member countries and across the world.

The RCS: Founded in 1868, the RCS conducts a range of events and activities aimed at promoting international understanding. Headquartered at the Commonwealth Club in
London, the RCS has some 5000 members in the UK and a presence in some 40 Commonwealth countries through a network of branches and Commonwealth societies. The RCS conducts a number of educational, youth and cultural programmes across the Commonwealth, including one of the world’s largest school essay competitions and a youth leadership programme. It also organises numerous events dealing with issues of Commonwealth interest, including an annual Observance with Her Majesty The Queen, and a high-profile events programme in London and across its branch network.

RCS Fiji branch: Current and planned activities of the RCS Fiji Branch include:
• Promotion of pan-Commonwealth competitions run by the RCS, such as the Commonwealth Essay Competition and Vision Awards
• A garden party in Government House to celebrate Commonwealth Day each year
• Black Tie Gala Dinner at Tiko’s in Suva to raise funds for schoolchildren of Fiji
• Art Exhibition/Auction at the Softiel Denarau to raise funds for Society’s activities and promote emerging Commonwealth artists
• The issue of an RCS Stamp in collaboration with the Fiji Post later in 2009.
• Regular branch meetings, and special welcome meetings for new arrivals to Fiji
• Partnership events with Commonwealth High Commissions in Fiji and other NGOs, including events such as Burns’ Night and African night.
The branch currently has around 100 members and welcomes anyone with an interest in Commonwealth and international affairs. See contacts below.

Commonwealth Conversation: On 20 July, the RCS launched the “Commonwealth Conversation”, the largest-ever public consultation on the future of the Commonwealth. The centrepiece of the Commonwealth Conversation is an open, interactive website to host discussions and invite ideas. The Conversation will also involve offline discussion groups, expert meetings and other events around the Commonwealth. Findings from the Conversation will be presented to the Commonwealth leaders in November 2009. Anyone wishing to take part in the initiative should visit www.thecommonwealthconversation.org.

ENDS

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