LEADERSHIP Nigel Atkin
Leadership and Hope
E
mpowered with advancing communication technology, individuals often seek context and understanding of events unfolding in their daily news that in turn shape their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours. Today, two of the greatest issues faced by the world are climate change and how globalization treats indigenous people. As in most things, those issues interconnect and demand both leadership and hope. In the turmoil of a consistent rise in global temperatures, resultant fires, floods, along with pandemics, fear, and the constant threat of war, countries in the world try to keep up to the never-ending effects of accelerating change.
Brexit in Context Britain has finally opted out of the European Union’s hierarchical bureaucracy and gained control over its own migration policy. That means Britain can control migration not only from within the EU but from the rest of the world, as well. Britain can now move toward welcoming more skilled and entrepreneurial migrants, modern automated production, and toward not
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being driven by migrant labour, or the predicted tens of millions fleeing the consequences of climate change to Europe’s south and southeast. While Britain will remain a strong ally to Europe, tied to it in terms of geography, history, culture, commerce, and even outlook, migration and international trade can now be renegotiated with Europe and with many other countries.
While Britain will remain a strong ally to Europe, tied to it in terms of geography, history, culture, commerce, and even outlook, migration and international trade can now be renegotiated with Europe and with many other countries. The Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth, founded by the United Kingdom Parliament in 1931, is a volunteer political association of some 54 member states—most former territories of the former British Empire, many populated with indigenous people. Countries in this association range from what we commonly know as our Canada, New Zealand, and Australia but more than 50 others exist, most with their own native people, history, political, and social goals. BC Notaries Association
With Britain renegotiating mutually beneficial futures with the EU, it is now also enabled to further reinforce historical relations with its long-term Commonwealth friends. That is true in terms of trade and immigration but also in terms of reconciling an economically and politically exploitive colonial past. The Commonwealth Charter is a relatively modern and evolving document of core values uniting member nations that aspire to the following values. • Democracy • Human Rights • International Peace and Security • Tolerance, Respect and Understanding • Freedom of Expression • Separation of Powers • Rule of Law • Good Governance • Sustainable Development • Protecting the Environment • Access to Health, Education, Food, and Shelter • Gender Equality • Importance of Young People in the Commonwealth • Recognition of the Needs of Small States • Recognition of the Needs of Vulnerable States • The Role of Civil Society Volume 29 Number 1 Spring 2020
