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The Hon. Julia Gillard MP acknowledges crucial role for CPF at the interface between governments and civil society.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will speak at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) on 25 October 2011 in Perth, Western Australia. The ceremony marks the start of a three-day event where civil society from around the Commonwealth will gather to discuss and debate key issues facing Commonwealth People. The Forum culminates in a round table dialogue between civil society representatives and Foreign Ministers as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Premier of Western Australia, The Hon Colin Barnett and Commonwealth Secretary-General H.E. Kamalesh Sharma will also attend the opening ceremony. 

The Forum continues to be an established and crucial part of the interface between governments and civil society, creating opportunities for dialogue on priority issues in the Commonwealth. The CPF provides a platform for people around Australia and the wider Commonwealth to come together to discuss development issues affecting not only themselves, but many of the Commonwealth’s 2 billion citizens. Over 250 accredited delegates from around the world are expected to attend the Forum to debate topics including climate change, human rights and economic development with an overarching theme “Driving Change for a Dynamic Commonwealth.” These delegates will be joined by a further 250 people from the local community to celebrate the opening of the Forum.

“Science and Technology: Impacts on Society in the 21st Century.”

Dr James Martin, author, business leader, and social entrepreneur in the fields of digital technology, education, and international development speaking at the 13th annual Commonwealth Lecture on 28 April 2010.

Click here to for the presentation 

“The Commonwealth @ 60: serving a new generation.”

Mr Terry Waite, CBE speaking at the 12th annual Commonwealth Lecture on 14 September 2009.

You can download the lecture notes below.

“The challenge of the 21st Century: setting the real bottom line.”

Dr David Suzuki, Emeritus Professor of the Sustainable Development Research Institute, University of British Columbia, and Co-Founder, David Suzuki Foundation speaking at the 11th annual Commonwealth Lecture on 12 March 2008.

You can download the lecture notes below.

“The Power of Language and the Politics of Religion.”

Dr Ali A. Mazrui, Director of Institute of Global Cultural Studies and Albert Schweitzer Professor in the Humanities, Binghamton University, speaking at the 10th annual Commonwelath Lecture on 15 May 2007.

You can download the lecture notes below.

“The future role of the Commonwealth: a bridge between an emerging three speed world.”

James Wolfensohn is the former President of the World Bank and Special Envoy to the Quartet for the Gaza Disengagement. He delivered the 9th Commonwealth Lecture.

Lecture notes can be downloaded below.

“The Commonwealth in the 21st Century: Prospects and Challenges.”

Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo delivered the eighth annual Commonwealth Lecture on 15 March 2005.

The text of the Lecture can be downloaded below.

“Making progress through multilaternalism”

30 March 2004
Commonwealth Institute, London

“Halving poverty by 2015: we can actually make it happen”

“Human rights in the shadow of September 11th”