This month sees the Commonwealth Games 2022 come to Birmingham, England. It has raised a few questions amongst a few people such as what is the Commonwealth and why do we have the games. In this newsletter we look at why we have the games and what message the games is sending out.
What is the Commonwealth?
The commonwealth is a collection of 56 countries and territories in the world who voluntarily come together to work towards the common goals of peace, liberty and progress.
It is called the commonwealth because it literally means ‘common well-being’. There are 2.5 billion citizens of the commonwealth from countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific. Each working to uphold the collective agreements they are committed to with international co-operation towards democracy, trade, equality, freedom of speech. This means that no country in the commonwealth can be ruled by force and they must uphold democracy. If these values and goals are brought into question their membership is suspended and pressures are put in place until the values are upheld again then membership can resume.
H.M Queen Elizabeth II is the symbolic head of the commonwealth and personally reinforces the link between the member countries and territories. She has visited each country, some more than once and now sends representatives and holds meetings and banquets with the heads of state and ministers to discuss policies and future goals of the commonwealth. Along with hosting the Commonwealth Day in Westminster Abbey.
What are the Commonwealth Games?
The Commonwealth Games began in 1930 as a competition known as the ‘friendly games’ to unify the values and goals through the Commonwealth Sports Movement. Bringing together nations through sport. The games use sport to bring together people to build a community in peace to enable athletes to prosper and drive the impact they have on the commonwealth citizens through sport. This year sees the Commonwealth Games come to Birmingham with 72 teams competing and is offering a clear message of inclusion and equality. Unlike most championships which are separated into able body and para schedules, the Commonwealth Games has a truly blended approach by mixing the programmes together and inspiring unity and equality throughout the commonwealth communities using sport. These games in particular had an opening ceremony itself embodying the message clearly, celebrating the diversity of countries and communities. These games hopes to send a clear message of inclusivity and inspire future generations.
Have you been watching any of the games?
Download the Newsletter here: Aug 22 – Commonwealth