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As this year ends, I want to share my warmest wishes with the people across the Commonwealth, and with our valued member countries, for a happy and safe holiday season.

It’s been a great privilege to lead the Commonwealth Foundation’s work since being appointed Director-General earlier this year. Assuming responsibility for convening and creating space for the priorities and voices of 2.7 billion citizens has been a deep personal honour. I am very grateful for the warm welcome and deeply inspired by the work ahead.

My first months in this role have been focused on listening and learning from our civil society partners, member countries and sister organisations. The challenges we face are real—from shrinking civic space, increased economic uncertainty and inequality, and the accelerating climate emergency. Yet across the Commonwealth, citizens and communities continue to demonstrate that they can drive meaningful change when they work together.

‘Across the Commonwealth, citizens and communities continue to demonstrate that they can drive meaningful change when they work together.’

One such example was July’s landmark International Court of Justice ruling, which called on states to prevent climate change and was made possible by the tireless activism of civil society groups in the Pacific, working alongside their member country partners. In October, thousands signed up to our Critical Conversation online event to explore what the ruling could mean in practice.

I was inspired in particular by hearing Vepaiamele Grace Trief, a 16-year-old Ni-Vanuatu writer and climate advocate, recite My Testimony live at the event, a poem sharing her perspective on the ruling that was also presented at The People’s Museum for Climate Change in The Hague, the Netherlands. Now you can watch it too:

The desire for citizen participation in governance has never been stronger. Our most recent grants call received thousands of applications, including a significant increase from small and vulnerable states. The Foundation remains committed to supporting smaller and less well-established civil society organisations—groups whose work is often courageous and under-resourced, yet vital to democratic life.

‘Creative expression also continues to play a vital role in challenging shrinking civic space.’

Creative expression also continues to play a vital role in challenging shrinking civic space. The 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize closed with an astounding 7,806 entries, including significant increases in non-English languages and participation from almost every Commonwealth country. It continues to ensure that it reaches, promotes and supports new and emerging writers to bring forward a wealth of voices from across the Commonwealth.

This year also marked an important cultural milestone with the announcement of the first Commonwealth Poet Laureate, Selina Tusitala Marsh, on 1 July. I encourage you to explore the work Selina has published during her laureateship so far in our online magazine, adda.

The Foundation’s unique role of bridge-building between government and civil society offers significant scope for growth and ambition as we start to look ahead and prepare for the launch of our new Strategy in July 2026.

We are also preparing for a strong and impactful Commonwealth People’s Forum in Antigua and Barbuda next November, shaped by the issues that matter most to citizens. We will strive to engage organisations across the Commonwealth, amplifying the work of civil society and promoting less well-established and smaller organisations where possible. We hope you can join us, in person or online. Register here to learn more.

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a hopeful start to the new year.

Razmi Farook is the Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation

Award-winning Pacific writer Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh ONZM, FRSNZ has been appointed by the Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO, to the brand-new, two-year post, placing creative expression at the heart of the Commonwealth’s work.

Selina Tusitala Marsh is the history-making first-ever Commonwealth Poet Laureate and will serve in this role until 31 May 2027. As Poet Laureate, Marsh will work on behalf of the entire Commonwealth family, connecting its 2.7 billion citizens through poetry. She will craft original poems for flagship Commonwealth events including Commonwealth Day, the Commonwealth People’s Forum, and Ministerial and Heads of Government Meetings. 

Professor Marsh will also advise on the Commonwealth Foundation’s creative programming—as the principal agency for Commonwealth culture—and will appear in person at the Commonwealth People’s Forum and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua & Barbuda in 2026.

Read the Commonwealth Poet Laureate’s Inaugural poem ‘Uncommon Banyan’

Amplifying the people’s voice through art 

From performing for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey to mentoring new writers across the Pacific, Marsh has demonstrated how poetry can travel from palace to village hall—and back again—carrying urgent conversations about identity, climate justice, and belonging. Her appointment signals a major step in the Foundation’s drive to ‘turn supporters into change-makers’ by connecting hearts, challenging assumptions, and awaken imaginations through creativity and storytelling.  

Selina Tusitala Marsh on her appointment 

‘I am deeply honoured to accept this role as the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate. In Samoan, we say “O le tele o sulu e maua ai figota” – “The more torches we have, the more fish we can catch”. Poetry is our torch, illuminating paths between our diverse cultures and histories.’

‘The Māori proverb from Aotearoa New Zealand goes “He toi whakairo, he mana tangata” – “Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity.” This profound truth guides my vision for this role. Through the elevation of our creative voices, we affirm our shared humanity across the Commonwealth. When we honour the artistry within our communities— whether it flows from Samoa, my mother’s island, or New Zealand, where I was born and grew up—we recognise the inherent dignity and worth of every person whose story deserves to be told.’

‘When Her Majesty charged me with fostering unity through verse in 2016, I felt the weight and wonder of words that bridge worlds. Today, I accept this torch with alofa (love) and renewed commitment to amplify the voices that heal, challenge, and unite our Commonwealth family. Together, we will kindle more torches, casting light on the stories that connect us all, celebrating the artistic excellence that affirms our collective human dignity.’

Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO, Director-General, Commonwealth Foundation 

‘It is through poetry that we can learn best about ourselves and each other. Poetry helps us make sense of our fragile world. It is the language of love and dreams, the language of despair and desire, of protest and rebellion. At the Commonwealth, we have come to understand that poetry – indeed creativity in all its forms – is not an embellishment of the Commonwealth story—it is a catalyst for justice, understanding, and hope. Selina Tusitala Marsh embodies that truth. Her poetry travels effortlessly from the smallest community to the global stage: illuminating the concerns and aspirations of our 2.7 billion citizens and challenging all of us to listen more closely. There could be no finer inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate.’ 

Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General 

‘It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the first Commonwealth poet laureate, Selina Tusitala Marsh, and applaud the Commonwealth Foundation for this bold initiative. Our boundless appreciation for culture, in all its diversity and richness, is one of the things that bind us together as people of the Commonwealth. Aside from being entertaining, art helps to illuminate important issues, galvanise action, nurtures inclusive societies, offers economic opportunity and preserves our identities. We must celebrate its importance.’

About Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh 

Marsh’s connection with the Commonwealth dates back to 2016, when she recited one of her poems at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. Most recently, she co-hosted the Commonwealth People’s Forum in Samoa.

Marsh previously served as New Zealand Poet Laureate from 2017 to 2019. She has published three award-winning collections of poetry and created the bestselling graphic memoir series Mophead, which swept New Zealand’s book awards in 2020, including the prestigious Margaret Mahy Book of the Year.  Marsh was the first Pacific Islander to earn a PhD in English from the University of Auckland, where she now lectures in Pacific Poetry and Creative Writing and co-directs the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation, championing arts-led approaches to justice, health, and well-being. 

• Background: Samoan, Tuvaluan, English, Scottish, and French heritage; born in Auckland, 1971. 

• Publications: Three acclaimed poetry collections (Fast Talking PI, Dark Sparring, Tightrope) and the multi-award-winning graphic memoir series Mophead. 

• Honours: Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2019); Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (2019). en.wikipedia.org 

• Performance highlights: Commonwealth Day Service (2016); Poetry Parnassus at the London Olympics (2012). poetryarchive.org 

Download a full biography and pictures of Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh here.

About the Commonwealth Foundation 

The Commonwealth Foundation is one of the three intergovernmental pillars of the Commonwealth of Nations, explicitly mandated by its member countries to advance the interests of Commonwealth civil society. Upholding a firm commitment to the principles and ideals of the Commonwealth, the Foundation seeks to nurture the growth of vibrant and free societies: championing the active and constructive participation of people in all aspects of governance. 

Contact: Leo Kiss, Communications Manager, Commonwealth Foundation – press@commonwealthfoundation.com

Following approval from its 51 member countries, Razmi Farook has been announced as the new Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, the Commonwealth’s agency for civil society. Ms Farook will assume the role on 1 September 2025 at the Foundation’s offices in Marlborough House, London.

Razmi Farook brings exceptional leadership experience from senior roles in civil society and intergovernmental organisations, including the United Nations, the International Federation of the Red Cross, and ActionAid International. Her career has focused on supporting marginalised and war-affected communities, advocating for equity, inclusion, and active civil society participation in governance and decision-making processes.

Ms Farook’s work includes leading humanitarian diplomacy with ASEAN and its member states on disaster resilience, managing complex humanitarian portfolios across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, and most recently directing ActionAid’s Asia Region and Global Humanitarian Programmes. Her strong commitment to civil society, human rights, and sustainable development positions her uniquely to guide the Foundation’s future work.

‘Razmi Farook brings exceptional leadership experience from senior roles in civil society and intergovernmental organisations’

Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO’s distinguished tenure, which is now coming to an end as she completes her second and final term as Director-General, saw the Foundation navigate a challenging global environment, responding effectively to crises including Covid-19 and using these insights to reshape how it approaches resilience, civic space, and inclusive policy reform.

Since Dr Gallagher’s appointment in 2019, the Foundation has provided more civil society grants in more countries than ever before: 187 projects in 48 Commonwealth countries These vital initiatives have advanced health justice, climate justice, and freedom of expression in every Commonwealth region.

This period has also seen a major strategic expansion in the Foundation’s visibility and reach: its online audiences have increased more than two-fold as compared to the last strategic period and the Foundation received twice as many applications for grants in 2025 than in 2019. Notable achievements include influencing inclusive health policies in Kenya and Uganda, strengthening climate journalism and grassroots participation in United Nations Climate negotiations, and empowering marginalised voices through transformative arts initiatives in Tonga, Eswatini, and South Africa.

‘Since Dr Gallagher’s appointment in 2019, the Foundation has provided more civil society grants in more countries than ever before’

The Foundation also emerged as a leading civil society convener in intergovernmental spaces. Thousands of Commonwealth citizens helped shape policy recommendations presented at Commonwealth Intergovernmental meetings as part of the Foundation’s innovative Critical Conversations online events series—and People’s Forums in Rwanda and Samoa have redefined civil society engagement at the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

The Foundation’s creative approach brought new visibility to civil society voices, with photography exhibitions, creative videos, and poetry performances reaching millions. These efforts were especially impactful for small and vulnerable states, with tailored support helping local organisations to influence laws, policies, and international agreements. 

The Foundation’s Commonwealth Short Story Prize continues to flourish, receiving nearly 8,000 submissions annually from across the Commonwealth and significantly boosting the profiles of emerging writers—promoting diverse, local narratives on the global stage.

Reflecting on her tenure and Razmi’s appointment, Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO, the current Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, said:

‘It has been the honour of a lifetime to lead the Commonwealth Foundation during a time of extraordinary global upheaval. Amid shrinking civic space and deepening inequality, we held fast to our mission: to champion the voices of the people across the Commonwealth and to uphold the values and principles of the Commonwealth Charter. With our civil society and government partners—and a team of extraordinary talent and conviction—we delivered change that is not only measurable, but deeply meaningful. Together, we have shaped policy, shifted narratives, and expanded the presence of civil society in decision-making spaces that once felt out of reach.

Today, the Foundation stands more connected, more courageous, and more committed than ever. I leave with a deep sense of pride in what we’ve accomplished—and a profound sense of what still must be done. In a world that is fractured and uncertain, the Commonwealth has a unique responsibility—and opportunity—to stand for justice, equality, and democratic participation. I urge our Member States and civil society actors not just to defend civic space, but to reimagine it. Under Razmi’s leadership, I am confident the Foundation will continue to inspire that vital work.’

Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation’s Board of Governors, Her Excellency Winnie Anna Kiap CBE, said of the appointment:

‘I warmly congratulate Razmi Farook on her appointment as the new Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation. Razmi’s extensive humanitarian and development expertise, particularly in civil society strengthening, climate justice, and inclusive governance, will undoubtedly enable the Foundation to thrive and evolve. Her distinguished career and demonstrated commitment to Commonwealth values are exactly what the Foundation requires to navigate and respond effectively to our shared global challenges. The three intergovernmental pillars of the Commonwealth—the Foundation, the Secretariat, and the Commonwealth of Learning—all now have newly-appointed leaders, and I look forward to seeing their continued and vital collaboration.’

On news of her appointment, Razmi Farook said:

‘I am thrilled to be joining the Commonwealth Foundation as Director-General, having committed so much of my career to working internationally to strengthen the role of civil society, support governments, and place communities at the heart of everything I do. I will relish the important platform the Commonwealth Foundation provides to build global civil society solidarity and intergovernmental cooperation, especially at this critical moment in history when our common values and principles are being put to the test.

It is my ambition to explore how we can harness the richness of the Commonwealth’s diversity and partnerships as a force for positive change and progress. I am committed to meaningfully engaging those at the forefront of the climate and health crises to find solutions to the urgent challenges they face—as well as continuing the Foundation’s critical work around promoting democracy, human rights, and peace. It is a great honour to lead the Foundation, and to be part of a transformative and inclusive multilateral platform at a time when global cooperation is needed more than ever.’

For more information

For further information about the Commonwealth Foundation, further comments, or photo requests, please contact Maria Reta Perez via press@commonwealthfoundation.com 

Notes

• The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation mandated by its member countries to advance the interests of Commonwealth civil society. The Foundation’s membership is separate from other Commonwealth agencies, but members must be Commonwealth countries in order to join the Foundation
• The Commonwealth Foundation is one of the Commonwealth’s three intergovernmental agencies alongside the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth of Learning
• The Director-General is responsible for all activities of the Commonwealth Foundation and reports to the Chair of the Board
• Annual priorities of the Commonwealth Foundation are determined by a Board of Governors, comprising representatives of Commonwealth governments and High Commissioners based in London, civil society representatives, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The Chair of the Foundation is a distinguished private citizen of a Commonwealth country appointed by Heads of Government
• The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is an annual competition which is free to enter for Commonwealth citizens.

Following approval by Commonwealth Heads of Government last week, Her Excellency Winnie Anna Kiap CBE has been announced as the new Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation, the Commonwealth’s agency for civil society. 

The Chair of the Foundation is a distinguished private citizen of a Commonwealth country appointed by Heads of Government. As Chair, Her Excellency Winnie Kiap will lead Board meetings that govern the Foundation and support its future direction. She succeeds Dato’ Sudha Devi K.R. Vasudevan, who has served with distinction since 2020. 

The Commonwealth Foundation is one of the Commonwealth’s three intergovernmental agencies with a mandate to support Commonwealth civil society and, through that work, to advance the interests of the Commonwealth’s 2.7 billion citizens. 

The Foundation delivers an annual grants programme that supports civil society to engage with governments to advance participatory governance, democracy, and human rights. It also administers a creative programme showcasing Commonwealth culture—from writing to filmmaking—including the renowned Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Through a range of initiatives, such as the Commonwealth People’s Forum and the Critical Conversations online event series, the Foundation amplifies the voices of the People of the Commonwealth, enabling them to shape the policies and decisions that impact their lives. 

Her Excellency Winnie Kiap brings extensive leadership and governance experience to the role. She served as Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2022, where she also represented Papua New Guinea at the International Maritime Organization and Chaired the Commonwealth Secretariat Board of Governors. Before her appointment as High Commissioner, she was Papua New Guinea’s longest-serving and first woman Cabinet Secretary and worked in consultancy roles for Non-Governmental Organisations promoting gender-inclusion.  

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape, had this to say of the appointment:

‘The appointment of Her Excellency Winnie Kiap as Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation Board is a historic achievement. It recognises the professional capabilities of one of our most senior diplomats and elevates the presence of the Pacific in global leadership roles. This is a proud moment for Papua New Guinea and a landmark achievement for career women in our country and the region.’

Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO, said: 

‘I am delighted to welcome Her Excellency Winnie Kiap to the Commonwealth Foundation. Her appointment comes at a critical time as we work to deepen the engagement of civil society with governments across the Commonwealth. Her Excellency’s wealth of experience and her distinguished career in diplomacy and governance will provide invaluable leadership to the Foundation as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.’ 

The outgoing Chair of the Board of Governors, Ambassador Dato’ Sudha Devi K.R. Vasudevan, who has now completed her second and final term, said of the appointment: 

‘I extend my warmest congratulations to Her Excellency Winnie Kiap on her appointment as the new Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation. Her exemplary leadership and dedication to the Commonwealth will undoubtedly guide the Foundation to even greater achievements in the coming years.’ 

The Foundation welcomes Her Excellency Winnie Kiap’s historic appointment as Chair of our Board. Her extensive diplomatic and governance expertise will be instrumental as we continue to champion the voices of the People of the Commonwealth in 2025 and beyond. 

For more information 

For further details about the Commonwealth Foundation, additional comments, or photo requests, please contact Leo Kiss, Knowledge, Learning and Communications Manager, at l.kiss@commonwealth.int. 

Notes 

Annual priorities of the Commonwealth Foundation are determined by a Board of Governors, comprising representatives of Commonwealth governments and High Commissioners based in London, civil society representatives, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The Chair of the Foundation is a distinguished private citizen of a Commonwealth country appointed by Heads of Government. 

In September 2024, six weeks before Member States decided who would be their next Secretary-General, the Commonwealth Foundation co-hosted a debate between the three declared candidates: Mamadou Tangara of The Gambia, Shirley Botchwey from Ghana, and Joshua Setipa of Lesotho.  The debate, which was held at Chatham House in London and moderated by esteemed broadcast journalist Zeinab Badawi, attracted a full house and captivated thousands more watching online.

In the lead-up to the debate, we reached out to thousands of civil society representatives for their questions about, and visions for, the future of the Commonwealth. Four pressing questions emerged from this engagement, focusing on reform, reparations, freedom of expression, and the role of civil society. We posed those questions to the candidates and published their unedited responses online.

Below are the responses of Shirley Botchwey (SB) from Ghana, who, on 26 October, was elected to the post of Secretary-General. Her answers provide unique insights into her plans and aspirations for the future of the Commonwealth.

The Foundation looks forward to mediating future engagement between the next Secretary-General and Commonwealth civil society. In the meantime, we invite all those who care about the future of the Commonwealth and its identity as an organisation that exists for the people, as well as for Member States, to read and disseminate the document that distils the voice of the People on that future. We also encourage you to watch the document’s companion video.

There has been some appreciation among the candidates for Secretary-General of the need to change how the Commonwealth Secretariat functions. What would be your priorities in your first hundred days?

SB: My first 100 days will be largely informed by the roadmap that I intend to develop, as a product of a formal transition process, involving the best minds and talents across the Commonwealth, including representation from civil society groups, women, youth academia and the business sector. Working with the incumbent Secretary- General and the Commonwealth Secretariat, the transition team will help draft proposals and actions, identifying timelines, resources needed, including types of expertise and funding needed to shape programmes to meet the transformative vision that emerged from my campaign. The roadmap will focus on Democracy, Commonwealth Values, and Realizing the Democratic Dividend, Trade and Investment, Youth, Education, Skills, Innovation, and Start-ups, Climate Change, Small Island Developing States & Small States and  Managing Resources for an Effective Commonwealth Institution.

What would you expect to be visibly different about the Secretariat within the first two or three years of your term? In other words, how would you measure your success in this area?

SB: We need a united Commonwealth to rally around the goal of transformation, both in terms of resilience building across our countries and the ability of the Commonwealth Secretariat to support that goal. That requires political will and funding from all Member Countries.

You have supported reparations for historical harms associated with slavery and colonialism. How do you think the Commonwealth could take this forward in a practical way?

SB: There are serious processes underway today in international and multilateral institutions we belong to, including the United Nations, the Africa Union and CARICOM for Reparative Justice. The Commonwealth should not duplicate those processes. It can however be part of the policy dialogue and reflect their outcomes in programming. It is important to note that our success in realizing reforms in the global finance and governance architecture, in addressing the debt crises in Commonwealth countries and in agreeing to a new development cooperation model that works for both rich and poorer States, contributes to realizing reparative justice.

You have been explicit in your support of freedom of expression throughout the Commonwealth. What would that support look like, in practice? 

SB: Today, the world is facing the challenge of making technology work for strengthening democracy, including safeguarding democracies, communities and individuals from hate speech, disinformation and misinformation calculated to undermine democratic freedoms, including freedom of expression. The Commonwealth Secretariat should be a leader in sharing best practices and promoting Commonwealth-wide standard setting for protecting and promoting freedom of expression, while developing targeted approaches to regulate and prevent abuse. As Secretary-General, I would use my good offices to ensure support for legitimate expression. The Commonwealth could also provide support for human rights defenders, activists, and journalists through legal assistance, asylum, or other protective measures when they face persecution for their work.

You have also voiced your explicit support for the role and importance of civil society in the Commonwealth. What immediate steps would you take to enhance the standing of civil society in the Commonwealth system?

SB: I am committed to establishing more structured, more accessible regular, formal consultative meetings with Civil Soceity Organisations (CSOs) to give them greater influence in programming and implementation. As part of my vision for strategic partnerships, supporting the empowerment of civil society at country level will be a major objective. This will extend the collaboration between the Secretariat and civil society beyond those entities affiliated to the Commonwealth to local NGOs, especially to strengthen good governance. With a more enhanced resource envelope, we shall allocate greater financial support and technical assistance ato CSOs, including grants, training programs, and access to resources that help civil society organizations improve their capacity to advocate effectively and engage with governments. I will also work with member states to ensure that laws governing civil society organizations are supportive of their work.  By strengthening partnerships with CSOs and fostering an environment where their contributions are valued, we can work together to build a more responsive and resilient Commonwealth that empowers its people at all levels.