The CCWG is a mechanism of the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC), which is supported by the Commonwealth Foundation, and allows civil society from six Commonwealth countries to mobilise themselves around policy advocacy for the Caribbean, with the aim of getting the attention of government and stakeholders within their countries who influence public policy.
Resource Type: Video
Baroness Verma chairs first official Commonwealth LGBTI session
Baroness Sandip Verma chaired the first LGBTI dedicated session at the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF), which fed into CHOGM 2015 in Malta.
The session was held under the theme, ‘Resilient societies safeguard the security of all people in all their diversity‘.
Resilience as a transformative force for sustainable development
Ahead of the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) 2015, Vijay Krishnarayan (Director, Commonwealth Foundation) introduces the concept of resilience as a transformative force for sustainable development.
The value of having civil society voice in ministerial forums
In anticipation of the Commonwealth People’s Forum 2015, H.E. Marie-Pierre Lloyd, the Seychelles High Commissioner has spoken about how valuable it is for civil society to have a voice in the ministerial forums that shape their lives.
Looking beyond the horizon: Resilience in Small Island States
The Seychelles High Commissioner on the challenges and opportunities that face Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Commonwealth.
The quality and equity imperatives of education in Small States
H.E. Marie-Pierre Lloyd, Seychelles High Commissioner on how to provide quality education in Small States despite the challenge of brain drain.
A holistic approach to governance with civil society participation
H.E. Marie-Pierre Lloyd, Seychelles High Commissioner, maintains that it is “crucial” for civil society to work together with governments to have a say in policy decisions.
Speaking after her keynote speech at the 19CCEM, H.C. Lloyd drew on her background in both government and civil society to highlight that both must work together if societies are to improve the livelihoods and quality of life of the people they represent.
With her experience in both sectors, the High Commissioner noted that by their nature government institutions tend to work in silos, with their own departments and budgets, which can lead to siloed thinking. If civil society can work together with governments in these frameworks, then better solutions can result.
“There’s a lot for civil society to learn about how to work in this sort of framework, because it’s not ‘I want, I want’ all the time. It’s, ‘This is the problem. What is your strength, so what can you bring in?’ And then together we can address the solution in a more meaningful and effective manner.”
African civil society advocacy at the United Nations level
Stephen Chacha shares insights on the process undertaken by the African CSO Working Group to bring the voice of their constituents to United Nations discussions on planning for the Post-2015 development framework.
Turning global development discussions into national realities
Oyebisi Babatunde shares insights on how the Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO) have mobilised civil society members to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and input into the Post-2015 global development agenda.
African civil society engagement with the United Nations
Massiwa Rusare shares insights on the African CSO Working Group’s engagement with the United Nations High Level Panel (HLP), where African civil society actors had the opportunity to represent the voices of their constituents at the international level.
The HLP is a United Nations advisory committee selected by the UN Secretary General to formulate the framework for the Post-2015 Development Agenda.