Commonwealth People's Forum

For over a decade the Commonwealth Foundation, in collaboration with government and civil society in the host country has organised the Commonwealth People's Forum immediately preceding the CHOGM.

The principal means of engagement between Commonwealth civil society and CHOGM, the CPF also provides opportunities for networking and interaction among a cross-section of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the host country and in the Commonwealth. In addition, the CPF showcases the work and contribution of these organisations to the fundamental principles and values of the Commonwealth, particularly cultural exchange, sustainable development, and good governance. 

Crucially, the CPF provides a valued space for civil society to dialogue with government representatives and to feed the ideas, issues and concerns of Commonwealth citizens into the CHOGM process.

The CPF has a number of internal and external aims:

  • for civil society to successfully interface with and influence government at CHOGM (external)
  • for civil society to network, create partnerships and collaborate (external)
  • for the CPF to leave a positive and long lasting legacy in the host country (internal)
  • for the CPF to guide the Foundation's strategic plan to be responsive to the needs of civil society (internal)
  • to raise awareness of the ways in which the Foundation can support civil society in development (internal)

Past events have included the Commonwealth Centre, 1997, Edinburgh; Commonwealth People's Centre, 1999, Durban; Commonwealth People's Festival, 2001, Brisbane; and the Commonwealth People's Forum in 2003, 2005 and 2007 in Nigeria, Malta and Uganda respectively. Activities at each of the Forums have included a range of civil society meetings, exhibitions and cultural performances.  A recent addition to the CPF is the Commonwealth People's Space, launched in Kampala, Uganda, which was open to members of the general public and provided a platform to showcase culture from across the Commonwealth.

The 2009 Commonwealth People's Forum will be held in Trinidad and Tobago.