Human Development

Objective

The Secretariat aims to support Commonwealth countries in creating an environment in which all citizens can develop their potential and lead productive, creative lives in accordance with our needs and interests. Our human development work focuses on education, gender, health and youth.

Relevance

Our work in these areas acknowledges human development as a fundamental right. It further acknowledges that it is central to social, economic, cultural, and technological development and to peace. Through our work with governments and their peoples we aim to ensure that there is access to quality primary education, that educational gender disparities are eliminated, that health systems are strengthened to provide access to health services for all, that women play an equal role in all aspects of society and that young people are meaningfully engaged in the development process as partners in policy decisions and national development planning.

Impact

- We have expertise in bringing together representatives from diverse backgrounds including governments, civil society and young people in order to promote dialogue on a range of issues and concerns (inter-generational, inter-cultural, peace building) to build consensus on practical ways forward.

- We create spaces, provide platforms and suggest frameworks for policy debate and review as well as the sharing of good practices.

- We undertake and disseminate meaningful and participatory research in niche areas to support human development in member countries. Click here for an example

- We have developed analytical and technical expertise as well as tools and methodologies in specific areas to help individuals, organisations, governments, specifically ministries of Education, Health and Women�s Affairs, and youth networks maximise their potential.