Rooted in the People, Rising in Purpose: The Commonwealth's Future

Illustration by Will Allen/Europinion

With my recent appointment as Cultural and Indigenous Rights’ Lead for the Special Interest Groups Committee at the Commonwealth Youth Council, I stand in renewed awe of the Commonwealth’s enduring power and influence, now more than ever. 

We are living through a time of spiralling uncertainty, defined by shifting power structures, climate crisis, and a fraying commitment to multilateralism. However, the Commonwealth offers a unique platform for cooperation, cultural exchange, and soft power, not in spite of its complex history, but precisely because of it. We are going through great transitions – from post-Brexit to rising multipolarity to the Global South’s assertiveness to the urgency of the climate crisis. The Commonwealth is, in my opinion, a community that has done and can continue to be a great pillar of good. Born of empire yet evolving beyond it, the Commonwealth proves that institutions with colonial roots can hold meaning in a decolonising, ever-changing world. 

As a voluntary association of sovereign states, its members choose to stay because of the shared values of democracy, development, and cultural affinity. It is a uniting community across diverse regions that is forging itself to be more egalitarian. That Rwanda, once untouched by British colonial rule, chose to join the Commonwealth in 2009 speaks volumes about the institution’s evolving role. There are no neo-colonial pressures exerted on states, which is stark in comparison to the plays made by the likes of China in Africa. 

Its focus is peace, not conflict driven by military or economic might. There are no formal or indoctrinated trade or defence treaties or enforcement mechanisms, because the want, need, desire to come together is the driving force. The Commonwealth highlights that soft power still matters - youth programs, education (such as the Commonwealth Scholarships), and cultural diplomacy are vital for connections with the people. It is a community for the people, working with the people and led by the people. The shared values are also reflected in their legal systems and democratic norms, which further build relations and trust among nations. This accumulates into real-world cooperation examples such as the climate resilience programs in Pacific nations and CHOGM initiatives.

Its diversity is its strength. A saying and proverb to live by in many Commonwealth communities is “it takes a village.” Its excellence is because it is a truly global forum with representation from all continents. There is an opportunity for North-South cooperation, bodies that the UN often fails to embody. A unique assembly where small island states speak alongside large economies – and are heard. Where the agenda is increasingly led by and focused on the youth, inclusivity, cultural exchange, indigeneity, and sustainability. 

There are many specific examples as to why the Commonwealth is becoming a hugely important body in international politics. Queen Elizabeth II played a significant unifying role, dedicating her time to the Commonwealth’s growth under her symbolic leadership and diplomatic missions. Another is the Commonwealth Games, in which smaller nations, such as those from the Caribbean and the Pacific, have the opportunity to develop their youth, their athletes, and share their culture and pride on an international stage. Lastly, the Commonwealth Youth Council provides a platform that advocates for the inclusion of Indigenous youth voices in national and Commonwealth-level policy forums, as well as cultural forums that support the preservation of languages across the Commonwealth. It highlights how grassroots, pluralist engagement is possible and indeed thriving.

The Commonwealth is not perfect, and never was. However, its true value lies not in its past, but in what its members choose to build together now. In a fragmented world, the spaces the Commonwealth has created are more precious than ever.  From the voices of Indigenous youth shaping climate action, to cross-continental collaborations in education, health, and culture, the Commonwealth is quietly proving that voluntary cooperation can still matter, and even thrive, in a world of hardened alliances and transactional politics. 

Its power is not imperial, but relational: rooted in talanoa, dignity, and shared human purpose. In uncertain times, that kind of community may not only be relevant, but essential.

The challenge now is not whether the Commonwealth is useful — but whether its members will continue to grow together as a community to reach their potential. 

*Talanoa – Pacific Island dialogue and storytelling that emphasises inclusive, participatory and respectful communication