RCS Exchange - Sep/Apr 2010

The Royal Commonwealth Society Magazine

Sierra Leone

Stunning photography

Commonwealth Conversation

Our final findings

Rwanda special

Eat, drink, travel

FEATURE STORY

The RCS Annual Review A snapshot of the last 12 months Page 4

Issue 04 April–Sept 2010

Happy 100 th Birthday to The Round Table The Round Table is Britain’s oldest international affairs journal. Since 1910, The Round Table has been at the heart of the debate over defining the Commonwealth and articulating the evolution of an imperial association into an intergovernmental organisation of diverse states based on equality.

Join us in our birthday celebrations!

Free Article Access Download free articles from The Round Table and the journals below here: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/offers/pair/

www.tandf.co.uk/journals/politicsandir

WELCOME

Welcome...

The past year has been a significant period of change at the RCS. We have been re-evaluating who we are, what we do and why we do it.

And I believe that we have begun 2010 with a more confident vision of our future.

You can read more about this process in the Annual Review section of this edition of RCS Exchange.

I hope you will forgive us, on environmental and financial grounds, for not printing a separate Annual Review as we have done in the past. We have tried to include as much news of our activities as possible and I hope that there will be more than enough here to whet your appetite!

As many of you will know, we drew one of our most exciting projects of the past year to a close on Commonwealth Day in early March.

The Commonwealth Conversation – a public consultation on the future of the Commonwealth – was an exhausting, liberating and endlessly challenging process. Certainly not one for the faint-hearted! Much to our delight, however, several early indications suggest that its findings may well act as the catalyst for lasting change.

Certainly its results will be of enormous importance to our own work. We discovered that innovation, ambition and boldness must be the order of the day if the Commonwealth is to shake off its

old-fashioned baggage and we are committed to practising what we preach. For this reason (amongst many others), I am hugely excited about the year ahead.

We expect to see our rebranded Young Commonwealth Competitions engage more than 60,000 young people around the world; we are delighted that Rwanda, the Commonwealth’s newest member state, will host our Nkabom Youth Leadership Programme in September; and our Commonwealth Youth Summits are already generating enthusiasm across the UK. Finally, as I write, we are preparing to launch what could be our most ambitious project to date. You can read more about the Commonwealth Climate Challenge inside…

2010 certainly won’t be a year for kicking back. We have much to do if we are to secure a bright future for the RCS, but I am positive that a bright future is indeed what lies ahead.

HIGHLIGHTS Don’t miss inside...

OUR ANNUAL REVIEW

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Catch up on the last year at the RCS The Commonwealth Conversation

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Controversial, but worth it – the largest ever public consultation on the Commonwealth Youth Summits

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Touring the country with tomorrow’s leaders

Rwandan food and travel

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Eating, drinking and travelling in the Commonwealth’s newest member state Women of Sierra Leone

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A story of pain and hope in 42 stunning images

Published by

The Royal Commonwealth Society Editor

Joanna Bennett Design

www.thiswayup.co.uk

Danny Sriskandarajah Director

Front Cover Image

courtesy of Lee Karen Stow www.leekarenstow.com If you would be happy to receive RCS Exchange by email, rather than in print, please contact Joanna Bennett at joanna.bennett@thercs.org, or call on 020 7766 9230.

Write to us at 25 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5AP. RCS Exchange is printed on Era Silk, the first recycled coated paper to use only waste collected from UK sources.

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News in brief

President Kagame at the RCS

Rwanda’s application to join the Commonwealth was formally approved at the Trinidad & Tobago Heads of Government Meeting in November 2009. Following this

decision, in March this year, President Paul Kagame gave his first speech in the UK at the RCS. He spoke of the strategic importance of young people in the development of Rwanda, Africa and the whole Commonwealth and said he was “delighted” that the RCS would be holding its Nkabom Youth Leadership Programme in Rwanda in September 2010.

Can you support our youth programmes?

We always need more support to help us run our exciting range of Youth Programmes. If you think you could sponsor a flight to Rwanda for a young person to take part in Nkabom 2010, or provide a prize for a Competition winner, we would love to hear from you. We are also looking for expertise…Could you be a judge in our Young Commonwealth Competitions?

Random Result

25

%

(Hope Enterprises, 2009)

In November 2009, the RCS team flew out to Trinidad & Tobago for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. It was a busy ten days. As well as launching the emerging findings of our global public consultation on the future of the Commonwealth – the Commonwealth Conversation – we ran an essay competition for local schools, and a workshop and prize-giving ceremony for the winners. We also helped to facilitate the Youth Forum, and presented aspects of our work in the Business and People’s Forum. For the first time, several non-Commonwealth leaders, including French President Nicholas Sarkosy, Danish Prime Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon attended the CHOGM in an attempt to kick start negotiations ahead of the Copenhagen Climate Conference. exchange

Rwanda set to host Nkabom 2010

of Jamaicans think President Barack Obama is the Head of the Commonwealth

The RCS team hits CHOGM

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Are you a writer, photographer or filmmaker who would be willing to run a workshop for some of our young competition entrants? Could you help to disseminate information about our projects to local schools or universities in your area? There are so many ways – big and small – you could help.

Please do get in touch for an informal discussion with Catherine Clark on 020 7766 9204 or catherine.clark@thercs.org.

We are delighted to announce that the 2010 Nkabom Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme will take place in Rwanda, the Commonwealth’s newest member state. From 5 to 15 September, up to 35 young people aged between 18 and 25 will take part in a ten day interactive programme of activities. Nkabom is designed to build conflict resolution, peace-building and leadership skills, drawing on the experiences of the host country. Participants then join a youth-led international alumni network.

When you call us…

Please have your membership number handy when you contact the membership department.

This information makes it much easier for us to find your records quickly.

Commonwealth

Climate Challenge In 2010, the RCS looks set to launch its most ambitious project to date. The

Commonwealth Climate Challenge will see 12 communities in 12 different Commonwealth countries compete to reduce their environmental impact over the course of one year.

Highlighting the different challenges faced by countries around the world in tackling the shared threat of climate change, the project seeks to encourage citizen-led, grassroots action, knowledge sharing and

innovation. The personal journeys of the participating households, as well as their carbon consumption will be tracked online and the winning community will be revealed at the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth. The Climate Challenge is intended as a pilot project. If successful, we see no reason why 54 Commonwealth countries couldn’t take part. When it comes to the Commonwealth’s role in combating climate change, it’s time to think big!

Writing, film and photography Let’s get creative!

login to win!

MemberNet is the private members-only area of our website. It is a way for members

to network, access exclusive deals and book for events. Registering on MemberNet helps us to build an RCS member community, as well as enabling us to communicate more effectively and efficiently with you.

If you register your details online at www.thercs.org/membership before 30th May, you will be entered automatically into our prize draw to win a free bottle of champagne!

Full terms and conditions are available on our website.

Random fact

The RCS school’s essay competition first began back in 1883. In 2001, we launched the

annual Vision Awards filmmaking contest for young people all over the Commonwealth. This year, for the first time, we are adding photography into the mix and bringing all three categories together under the banner of ‘Young Commonwealth Competitions’. By running the

competitions in unison, opening the filmmaking category up to under 18s and moving entries and marking online, we hope to significantly broaden their reach. The projects encourage creative engagement with current affairs and the modern Commonwealth, as well as providing an important global platform for new talent. Find out more and enter online at: www.thercs.org/youth/ competitions.

When you book...

If you wish to book a table in the restaurant, please telephone Reception (on 020 7766 9200) rather than the membership department.

This way, we can ensure that your request is answered immediately.

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In 1892, nearly a third of the governing Council of the RCS (then the Royal Colonial Institute) belonged to the peerage or royalty. Another third were knights.

Contact us Email us at: info@thercs.org Telephone us on: 020 7766 9200 Write to us at: 25 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5AP

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ANNUAL REVIEW

RCS Director, Danny Sriskandarajah reviews the year that’s been…

Ambition, change and new challenges Looking back at the long, and sometimes turbulent, history of the RCS, several significant periods of change quickly become apparent. Circumstances have, at times, drawn the Society into a fundamental reappraisal of its identity, purpose and activities. 2009 was just such a time; an opportunity to think afresh about who we are, what we do and why.

Many of our charitable projects have deep historical roots. Our school’s Essay Competition, for example, started back in 1883. Its continuing popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal and the sense of history these projects bring to our organisation continues to be a wonderful asset.

Yet, we face a constant need to update our work and to ensure that it effectively fulfils the 21st century aims of the Society. The mountains of paper entries into our essay competition which threaten to overwhelm our offices each summer, provide a stark reminder of the need for modernisation. Moving the entry and marking processes online (whilst making allowances for those parts of the Commonwealth without internet access), is a small and obvious step, but it is one which will hugely increase the financial viability and efficiency of the project; not to mention lessening our carbon footprint! This added capacity, in turn, will enable us to increase the reach of the competition, make it truly collaborative and engage thousands more young people every year.

As well as taking steps such as this to bring some of our current work up to date, in 2009 we began a more fundamental reassessment of what the RCS can and should be doing in coming years. It is incumbent upon us to avoid complacency and the temptation to do things just as they have always been done before.

From June 2009 to March 2010, we ran the largest ever global public consultation on the future of the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Conversation unearthed an association that will need to be much more ambitious if it is to avoid a quiet, inexorable decline. As the oldest and largest civil society body devoted to the Commonwealth, the RCS has an important role to play in this process of revitalisation. We must ensure that we are up to the job.

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If 2009 was about reassessing who we are and what we do, 2010 is about making things happen. I believe that we have started the New Year with a more confident vision of what we want to achieve. And our plans are bold. Our new Commonwealth Youth Summits programme has already begun and the enthusiasm sparked by this project amongst its young participants is truly inspirational.

As I write, we are also preparing to launch one of our most ambitious projects to date. The Commonwealth Climate Challenge will see 12 households in 12 cities across 12 countries compete to reduce their environmental impact over the course of one year. A unique family of nations facing complex shared challenges, the Commonwealth is well placed to be a leading voice in the fight against climate change.

We are framing the first year of this project as a pilot and see no reason why, if successful, it should not be rolled out Commonwealth-wide. The time has come to think big.

We are also delighted that Rwanda, the Commonwealth’s newest member state, will play host to our Nkabom Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme in September 2010. This pioneering peace-building project is quickly gaining an international prestige which I hope will become the hallmark of an increasing proportion of our work.

After 15 months in post as Director of the RCS, I am more convinced than ever before of the rich potential of this organisation. Its three interlinking strands – as charity, membership organisation and club – make it truly unique and all three must be strengthened if the Society is to thrive.

Back in 1886, its founding fathers set out to create an influential centre for the exchange of ideas. Their vision was ambitious and I believe that we can honour it today by reinterpreting their aims for the 21st century; by ensuring that the Society remains not only relevant but a pioneering and dynamic organisation. I am hugely excited by this challenge and look forward to working with you all as we enter this new phase in the history of the Royal Commonwealth Society.

Danny Sriskandarajah, RCS Director

Commonwealth Club Manager, Shaun Whitehouse, looks back at 2009…

taking the positives from a tough year

What can I say about 2009 that hasn’t been said before? It was a tough year all round.

The positives were few and far between, but I can think of some! Overall, the events rooms are being used more than in previous years. Available to members by the hour at very competitive rates, the smaller rooms, in particular, are proving popular. For 2010, we have increased the member discount on room hire to 20% in recognition of how much we value members holding events at the Club, be they business, weddings, birthdays or just social occasions.

In 2009, we put on a whole range of member events of our own. Two well-attended wine tasting evenings were particular highlights. Ben Glaetzer, one of the leading young winemakers in the world visited the Club in May. Ben has already made a name for himself with Parker and other wine writers and gave a fascinating insight into the industry. In September, New Zealander, Mike Herrick compared central Otago wines with their ‘old world’ counterparts over a mouth-watering three course dinner.

Of course, it’s not only what we do, but how we do it that matters. In this respect, I am pleased to report that the Club continues to enjoy a staff retention rate well above the industry average. As I wrote last year, I see this as a very important factor in providing members with a consistently high level of service.

The more observant amongst you will have noticed the recent appearance of a new sign above the entrance to the Club. This marks the very welcome addition of the Foreign Press Association to our Commonwealth Club family.

Having joined us in late 2009, their staff team now share our administration offices, their members have integrated seamlessly into the Club and the FPA hold many highquality events in our venue. The home of foreign journalists working in the UK, the FPA are great partners and we are delighted to have them on board.

Looking forward to the year ahead, the general consensus seems to be that a slow recovery has started and, by the autumn, things will begin to look more positive.

In the meantime, I would like to thank all our members for their continued support and use of the Club facilities.

If there is anything that you feel we could do better, please drop me a line at shaun@thercs.org Shaun Whitehouse Club Manager

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ANNUAL REVIEW

THE RCS ANNUAL REVIEW

A SNAPSHOT OF THE LAST 12 MOnTHS

This page: Left One of the ’42 Women of Sierra Leone’ Middle The Queen arrives at Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day Right Young facilitators at a Commonwealth Youth Summit Opposite page: Left ‘New Commonwealth Voices’ make their debut at the 2010 Commonwealth Day Observance Middle A young participant at a Commonwealth Youth Summit Right One of the ’42 Women of Sierra Leone’ 6

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How to summarise the past 12 months at the RCS? There seems far too much to say. It was a year of change, of new challenges, of energy, ambition, laughter, hard work and success. It felt like a turning point; like the RCS was entering a new phase in its history and has only now begun to touch upon what is possible.

As I write, a box of shiny new reports sits beside my desk.

‘An Uncommon Association, A Wealth of Potential’, is the final report of the largest ever global public consultation on the future of the Commonwealth. We ran the Commonwealth Conversation over the course of eight months from July 2009 to March 2010. Its results have sparked a process of Commonwealth reform which we hope will set the association on track towards a bright and dynamic future.

But this was also an important exercise for the RCS. During our consultations we unearthed widespread ignorance about the Commonwealth. More encouraging was our discovery that, when people, particularly young people, find out more about the association’s aims and ideals, they are enthused and inspired by them. Bringing the Commonwealth to life for young people around the world – a raison d’etre of the RCS – will be crucial to its long-term revitalisation.

The Conversation also taught us much about how we should go about doing this. Many people perceive the Commonwealth to be anachronistic and fusty. It needs bold new ideas, ambition and innovation. As the oldest and largest civil society organisation devoted to the Commonwealth, the RCS has a crucial role to play in leading by example.

In 2009, we began a process of re-evaluating everything we do. The RCS is built upon a long and rich history.

There is no question of casting this aside. But, like the Commonwealth itself, we simply cannot afford to do things as they have always been done before, nor should that be our aim.

Important steps have already been taken to bring our ongoing work firmly into the 21st century. We added a new photography category

to our longstanding essay and filmmaking competitions and made significant changes to the way these projects are run, including moving much of the entry and marking processes online. Modern and unique, we are hopeful that the new Young Commonwealth Competitions will engage thousands more young people each year, encouraging them to think creatively about the Commonwealth and current affairs.

In April, we secured funding from the UK Department for International Development (DfID) to roll out a Commonwealth Youth Summits programme across the UK over the course of three years. Four regional Youth Summits, involving almost 500 young people have already taken place and the project looks set to go from strength to strength.

Nkabom, our Commonwealth Youth Leadership programme, will be hosted in Rwanda in September 2010.

The Commonwealth’s newest member state will provide a fascinating context for the programme’s young participants, who, over the course of ten days, will learn peacebuilding, conflict resolution and leadership skills. The success of Nkabom 2008 has attracted the interest of several key international partners whose support looks set to make this year’s programme bigger and better than ever before.

In the past 12 months, the RCS has continued to build upon its reputation as a centre for the exchange of ideas.

In the first 6 months of 2009, we hosted no fewer than five current and former Commonwealth leaders, two Nobel Laureates, and 27 other international speakers. And more than 3,000 people attended two of our most important annual events – the Commonwealth Day Observance at Westminster Abbey and the Commonwealth Carol Service at St Martin-in-the-fields.

Art exhibitions in the RCS’s gallery space have ranged from photographs of Sri Lanka to paintings by some of London’s homeless people. A powerful way of communicating the Commonwealth’s rich diversity, these exhibitions have been all the more rewarding when we have hosted young up and coming artists. In 2010, we will be fundraising for a new aRtCS programme.This will see emerging new artists from across the Commonwealth showcasing their work in exhibitions managed by aspiring young curators. We plan to make these exhibitions accessible to local schoolchildren through creative workshops and believe they will be an innovative way of bringing the modern Commonwealth to life for a range of visitors.

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Of course, as well as our charitable programmes, the RCS enjoys a membership of some 3,500 people.

What we offer to members has not escaped our attention during all the change of the last 12 months. We want to build a community of people who share common interests and, by becoming a member of the RCS, gain more than just use of the Commonwealth Club’s (albeit impressive) facilities.

One important first step, which is nearing completion as I write, has been to map the different kinds of members we do have; to find out why they joined the RCS, what they get from their membership and what they would like to get from it in future. This will enable us to tailor a new set of membership options to different audiences and ensure that we offer the best deal possible. (You can read more from our new Membership Manager on page 15.)

I am unable in the space available here to give more than a whistlestop tour of our major activities in 2009. There is so much more to say. But, if nothing else, I hope I have managed to convey something of our excitement about the coming year.

There is no doubt that 2010 will bring significant challenges. In financially difficult times, the RCS still has much to do to secure its future. In the past, we have relied heavily on income generated by the Club to fund our charitable activities. Those days are gone. The Society must find alternative sources of support if it is to embark upon the kind of ambitious projects we believe are possible.

Already, we are setting ourselves bold targets. In September this year, we will launch the Commonwealth Climate Challenge which looks set to be the most ambitious project the Society has ever undertaken. Communities and households in 12 cities across 12 different Commonwealth countries will compete to reduce their environmental impact over the course of one year. This will be a complex project from every angle, but, with the Commonwealth so well placed to be a leading voice on climate change, we are anticipating that it will make a significant impact.

2009 was, in many ways, a time of repositioning for the RCS; a time of preparing for a future no-one could have envisaged two years ago. And 2010? Well, 2010 is all about making it happen.

Joanna Bennett, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

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COMMONWEALTH CONVERSATION

Between July 2009 and March 2010, we ran the largest global public consultation on the Commonwealth that has ever been undertaken.

The final findings of the Commonwealth Conversation

Weakening Commonwealth needs dose of ambition

Over eight months from July 2009 to March 2010 we: • Conducted nationally representative opinion polls in 7 Commonwealth countries with a combined sample of 6,200

The Commonwealth Conversation was born out of a convergence of circumstances. 2009 marked the 60th anniversary year of the Commonwealth. And, with the appointment of a new Director, a fresh phase in the history of its oldest and largest civil society body, the Royal Commonwealth Society. The stage seemed to be set for a re-appraisal of the association’s future.

We were well aware that numerous analyses of the Commonwealth had been carried out in recent years.

Yet it seemed that none of them had sought to engage with the peoples the association is mandated to serve.

The frustrations and disillusionment felt by those working within Commonwealth bodies and those assigned to Commonwealth affairs within member governments were familiar to us; they formed the everyday backdrop to our working lives. Yet, whilst these views were important, the necessity of also looking outwards loomed large in our plans.

If we wanted to see the Commonwealth with fresh eyes, it was clear we needed to look beyond the confines of the Commonwealth family.

Much has been written about what happened next.

Through a wide range of online and offline methods, including an interactive website, events and media articles, we engaged thousands of people around the world in a constructive, open and, importantly, uncensored conversation about the Commonwealth.

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• Had nearly 45,000 visits to our website and social media pages from 189 countries, including virtually all Commonwealth countries • Gathered 2,000+ comments via the website, email and post • Surveyed 1,200 people, including key opinion leaders, in over 40 countries • Facilitated 87 events in 26 Commonwealth countries across all regions involving almost 4,000 people • Convened 11 expert groups on key aspects of the Commonwealth’s work • Organised 2 bespoke online focus groups involving 31 students from 9 countries in all Commonwealth regions • Generated extensive coverage in leading media outlets around the Commonwealth including 24 op-ed pieces and interviews • Received over 350 entries to the ‘My Commonwealth’ youth competition from under 25 year olds in 24 countries

Our 10 recommendations: A summary 1.

The Commonwealth must “walk the talk” on the values and principles it claims to stand for.

2. The Commonwealth needs stronger leadership if it is to have a meaningful voice on world affairs.

6. Greater investment is needed if the Commonwealth is to fulfil its potential.

7. The Commonwealth is a complex association. It must clearly communicate its identity, purpose and achievements in an accessible way.

3.

The Commonwealth is often seen as anachronistic and fusty. It needs to become bolder and much more innovative in the ways that it works.

8. Lengthy Commonwealth communiqués and statements appear unfocused and unattainable. They must be used to set priorities.

4.

To attract more investment and correct misperceptions of being largely ceremonial, the Commonwealth needs to prove its worth by measuring and demonstrating its impact.

9. The Commonwealth is as much an association of peoples as it is of governments. The interaction between the two requires significant improvement.

5.

The Commonwealth must stop spreading its limited resources too thinly and instead identify and exploit its unique strengths.

Having launched our emerging findings in a report entitled, ‘Common What?’, at the November 2009 Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago, we drew the Conversation to a formal close in March 2010. The title of our final report, ‘An Uncommon Association, A Wealth of Potential’, is intended to reflect our findings.

We unearthed so much scepticism, ignorance and indifference towards the Commonwealth, that our findings lay bare the scale of the challenge that must be faced if the association is to reverse its quiet decline. And yet, as we finished the Conversation, we found ourselves more convinced than ever before of the Commonwealth’s potential and more determined to see it re-emerge as a leading international organisation in the 21st century.

Why? Well, for the full answer to that question (and the evidence to back it up), I hope you will forgive me for referring you to our final report. But, to summarise in the briefest of terms, we discovered passionate support, at all levels from government ministers to members of the public, for the aims and principles of the Commonwealth. There is nothing rotten at this association’s core. It is founded upon ideals which continue to inspire today and which young people, in particular, long to see an international organisation uphold. None of its problems are insurmountable and the potential it contains within itself make all of them worth investing time and energy to solve.

But, our findings left us in little doubt that if the Commonwealth is to avoid becoming increasingly marginalised in a crowded marketplace of international

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10. The Commonwealth is often seen as elitist. It must reach wider, become less insular and engage beyond narrow Commonwealth circles

organisations, then bold reform is imperative. Widely perceived as failing to live out its values and principles, bolder leadership, more ambition and innovation, coupled with a better use of the association’s unique strengths will be crucial to its long-term survival.

To this end, we set out ten key recommendations in our final report which are intended to be taken forward by the whole Commonwealth “family”. They are as relevant to the RCS as to any other organisation. We are taking them seriously as we plan our work for the coming year and we have been encouraged by signs that others are doing the same.

At the time of writing, it remains to be seen what will emerge from the Eminent Person’s Group endorsed by Heads of government at the Trinidad & Tobago Summit late last year. The Group has been tasked with exploring options for Commonwealth reform, based, at least in part, on our findings. We can only hope they do not produce a worthy report, the quiet conservatism of which lends itself to little more than eternal rest on a dusty shelf in the Commonwealth Secretariat.

You can download the final report of the Commonwealth Conversation at www.thecommonwealthconversation.org.

The time for talk is at an end.

The time for action is at hand. exchange

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youth summits

Ever wanted to be Prime Minister for the day?

Commonwealth Youth Summits Be a leader

Have your say about the issues affecting our world?

Well, that’s exactly what young participants in our Commonwealth Youth Summits have been doing.

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Since February, Youth Summits have taken place in Guernsey, Bristol, Northampton and Newcastle. 120 young people aged between 14 and 17 have gathered in each region to debate global issues such as education, health and poverty.

Each Summit is run over two days, but preparation begins several weeks in advance. Specially designed resources and lesson plans help participants to research the countries they will be representing, as well as the Commonwealth itself and the issues at hand.

On the first day of the Summit, interactive workshops bring the topics of debate to life and introduce the young would-be leaders to valuable negotiating skills. Then, fully equipped and ready to argue their case, on the second day, the participants play the roles of Prime Ministers, Presidents, Foreign Ministers or journalists in two themed debates. For the final debate of the day, they come out of role to express their personal opinions before summarising their findings in a final communiqué.

To help deliver each Summit, the RCS has trained a team of youth facilitators who are themselves drawn from 12 different countries. Suraya, a facilitator from South Africa, says “It’s a great opportunity to be involved with this project. The concept is simple, but it has a really big impact on the young people who take part. Their enthusiasm is infectious!”

debate ere in the ntribute ph s o tm a e co “I liked thfelt really good to was t it I d . n m a o ro opinions. nge ideas and excha to hear everyone’s s to learn u g interestin active way for ifferent This is an issues faced by dschool! about the it beats sitting in ut still countries, te was good fun, bjoyed it.”

The deba ve; I thoroughly en constructi d 15, Newcastle “I Lewis, age

ha really ve always has a boring, but found poli I hav ctually bro this Summ tics the tw e learnt s ught it to it been w o days, it o much ov life..

Betha orth it.” s' definitely er Northa ny, aged 14 , mptons hire

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“I want to be a when I'm older, journalist so loved getting med I ia training from the BBC a nd recording a report on the event.”

Lucy, aged 14, Guernsey

The Youth Summit project, which is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DfID) will be rolled out across the British Isles over the course of 3 years from 2009-2012. In each year of the project, a National Summit in London will follow the four regional events, bringing together ten participants from each.

The Guernsey Youth Summit marked the first time in the island’s history that young people had been allowed to engage in political debate in The Royal Court. The Bailiff of Guernsey, Geoffrey Rowland, said he believed it was “fitting that this privilege should be granted to our young people, the leaders of tomorrow”.

Steadman Noble, who played the role of Commonwealth Secretary-General in Guernsey, said he thought having the chance to “embody” the roles of politicians for the day showed young people that it is “actually very exciting to do a job where the decisions you make will have an impact on people’s lives”. He added that real politicians could probably learn something from the young delegates’ “passion, diligence and commitment”.

It may be a lot of things, but politics is rarely predictable.

One debate at each Summit was interrupted by a specially recorded breaking news flash from Channel 4’s Jon Snow. Faced with putting urgent measures in place to contain a worldwide flu pandemic, the young delegates needed to use all their skills and knowledge to make quick, informed decisions.

Of course, it’s not all hard work. At many actual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings, there is a ‘People’s Space’ where delegates can go to relax after a long day at the negotiating table. And the Newcastle Summit was no exception. Live music, an array of stalls selling food from around the Commonwealth and henna artists all added to the buzz of the event.

RCS Youth Programmes Manager, Claire Anholt said, “I have been truly inspired by the enthusiasm shown by all those taking part in our Summits so far. Young people care passionately about injustice and they want to be involved in building a better future. I hope that, in some small way, the Youth Summits programme will encourage them to believe that they have an important role to play now, as well as in the future”.

To find out more about our Commonwealth Youth Summits, visit www.thercs.org/youth/summits exchange

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COMMONWEALTH DAY

2010

commonwealth day Westminster Abbey, The Queen and live science experiments… the RCS celebrated Commonwealth Day in style Commonwealth Day is celebrated annually on the second Monday in March.

This year, ‘Science, Technology and Society’ took centre stage, as the RCS marked the occasion with Britain’s largest inter-faith service at Westminster Abbey.

At the Observance, HM The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were joined

by HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. In recognition of the role played by scientific achievement in the advancement of societies the world over, The Queen laid a wreath at the tomb of Sir Isaac Newton.

In her traditional Commonwealth Day message, she made reference 12

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to the “vital role” played by science and technology in improving the quality of life in societies around the world. The Queen called upon the Commonwealth to recognise that “the best forms of innovation are those that unite and help to build resilient partnerships and better societies as a whole”.

Lord Winston delivered a thoughtprovoking address on ‘Science and the Future’ and leading young scientists from India, Malawi and Kenya joined the UK Young Scientist of the Year, Peter Hatfield, to conduct a live physics experiment in the Abbey. Watching were Commonwealth leaders including current Chairperson-in-office, Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago and President of the Commonwealth’s newest member state, Paul Kagame of Rwanda. More than 1,000 schoolchildren and hundreds of other VIPs packed the Abbey.

Representing the diversity of faiths within the Commonwealth, as well as the unity which binds this family of countries together, leaders of the Baha’l, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and

Zoroastrian communities all took part in the service.

A newly created Commonwealth choir made their debut performance and a poem, specially commissioned for the Observance, was recited by the National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke.

Events Manager, Chi Kavindele said, “The Observance is a flagship event of the RCS and an important date in the Commonwealth calendar.

It is an epic feat of organisation, but, having attended as a child myself, I know the impact that its unique blend of music, readings and royalty can have on the young people who attend. In all our work, we aim to bring the Commonwealth to life in real and innovative ways and the Observance is no exception. I’m looking forward to making it even bigger and better next year!”

Success and sighs of relief Sam Thrift, an RCS intern drafted in all the way from Christopher Newport University, Virginia to help organise the Commonwealth Day Observance, reflects on her experience..

It’s amazing how it takes months of preparation to produce the few hours that make up an event.

From seating arrangements to finding someone who will carry the Rwandan flag, an event as large as the Commonwealth Day Observance demanded attention to be paid to the smallest of details.

On the morning of March 8th we began to see our plans finally fall into place. Staff bustled through Westminster Abbey putting the finishing touches to the interior of the massive church. The flag bearers chosen to represent the 54 countries of the Commonwealth trickled into Methodist Central Hall only to be herded straight back out again and across the road to the Abbey for a long day of rehearsals. The speakers recited their speeches and the choirs practised their songs, tweaking their performances to properly fill the beautiful building. There were only a few hours until the Queen of England was to walk through the doors.

Security swept the grounds for the last time and the doors were opened. School children and teachers began to fill the seats that lined the aisle to the stage.

The vibrant sounds of a steel band played in the background as everyone began to anticipate the arrival of the special guests. A video inspired by the theme of the event – science, technology and society – distracted the crowd until the television screens changed to show the entrance of the Abbey. After a day of practising, the flag bearers began the procession displaying the colours that make up the Commonwealth. Important figures began to walk into the building and the whispers began to fade. The President of Rwanda, Prince Charles and Camilla entered and the audience knew that the Queen was soon to follow. The crowd adjusted in their seats so they could all get a view of the most prominent figure in the land.

She walked into the event in a bright blue dress, baring a grin visible from a distance. Every eye in the room watched as she walked to her seat. Speeches were made, songs were sung, and before you knew it the event was already coming to an end. As soon as the Queen had come, she had left and all those in attendance were ready to follow. As they grabbed their goodie bags and took one last photo of the Abbey, those who had spent months working on the event breathed a sigh of relief. All the overtime in the office and months of stress had led to a successful day.

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MEMBER and staff PROFILEs

Up Close & Personal Name: NISHA VALAND Nationality: British ASIAN RCS Member since: 2008 Occupation: Co-founder of Itinerati and Niche Mouth PR Interests: International business and politics; brushing up on languages (French, Spanish, Gujarati & Hindi); running along the Thames on bitterly cold winter mornings and working round the clock!

Why did you become a member of the RCS?

I’ve been a member of the RCS for almost two years now. I joined when a colleague invited me to the Commonwealth Essay Awards in late 2007. I loved the competition and thought the RCS was doing a great job promoting and working to benefit the Commonwealth: I wanted to join immediately! I use the club for business purposes during the day and for socialising and attending events in the evenings. It’s in a fantastic location, as well as being private and peaceful.

What do you enjoy most about being a member?

I enjoy reading the magazine that’s sent through and the e-mails updating members on events – there’s just the right amount of them, I’m not spammed! The staff are really friendly and helpful (especially the reception team) whether it’s 7am or 9pm. The great central location of the RCS means that it’s a good place to meet clients, or unwind with friends for dinner. Usually, it’s difficult to combine the two!

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You’ve founded two businesses.

Tell us a little more about those.

I studied International Business, Finance and Economics, with a particular focus on Less Developed Countries. I wanted to combine business with helping these countries, so I joined the Institute of Directors (just down the road from you) to gain a better understanding of how business works. My experiences there really inspired me to go it alone.

First, I co-founded Itinerati, a social enterprise which promotes socially responsible luxury travel.

A proportion of Itinerati’s profits goes to its charitable foundation which carries out community projects around the world.

My second company is called Niche Mouth PR which helps small businesses and entrepreneurs push their message out to a wider community. I arrange events for UK clients, but would like to work internationally too.

I work very hard. Having the RCS as a base helps me to keep on top of my hectic schedule. I’m only 25

and it’s good to be able to meet potential partners somewhere that gives a great first impression. I hope I can give something back to the RCS in the future.

Be profiled in RCS Exchange!

Are you an RCS member? Do you have an interesting story to tell?

Being featured on our member profile page is a great way to let other members know who you are and what line of work you’re in.

We’re keen to build a greater sense of community amongst the people who use the Club regularly, as well as those who live farther afield. If you would be willing to be featured, please send an email to joanna.bennett@thercs.org

A Message from the Membership Manager

For those of you who haven’t met me yet, my name is Kerrie Fuller and I joined the RCS as Membership Manager in January. I’m very excited to be working here and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible over the course of 2010! So what will I be doing this year in terms of membership? Well, here’s a taster of things to come.

I am aiming to…

• Attract more diverse members and build membership revenue to ensure that the club goes from strength to strength.

• Increase our member retention rate from 74% to 84% by giving you more of what you want at a price that reflects good value for money. (Tell us exactly how you think we can do this, by filling in the special member survey we have enclosed with this magazine.)

• Streamline the application and renewal processes. By the end of the year, you’ll be able to renew your membership online as well as receive invoices, receipts and renewal notifications by email. For those of you not on email, don’t worry – you will still receive all

necessary paperwork in the post.

• Create a clean and up-to-date membership database, so that we can communicate effectively and efficiently with you. Did you know that over a third of our members don’t have contact information on their records? Over the next few months, we’ll be filling in those gaps. Don’t forget that you can log into your member profile online and update your contact details yourself.

• Build a diverse and exciting calendar of member events. With more theatre trips, wine tastings, meet-the-author events, talks and seminars planned for 2010, you’ll be able to meet your fellow members and learn something new too!

The enclosed member survey is essential for us to understand how you use your membership of the club, so that we can concentrate on giving you more benefits of real value. Please take a few moments to fill it in.

I’ll be using this column to keep you updated on member information, news and partnerships. But, in the meantime, I hope to see you around the club!

Meet the team RCS staff under the spotlight Name: elaine crisp Position: Office Manager & PA to the Director

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orn in Harare, Zimbabwe to a Zimbabwean mother and British father, Elaine moved to the UK in 2000. She joined the RCS in September 2009 and, whilst working fulltime, is studying for a degree in International Studies from the Open University.

Outside work, at the risk of sounding like a 1950s housewife, Elaine admits that she likes baking, sewing and ballet. She also volunteers with a youth community project and, presumably at other times, loves to sleep…

What first made you apply to the RCS? My interest in international affairs

attracted me to the role. In fact, it was The royal commonwealth society

the RCS’s advocacy work on Zimbabwe which first caught my eye. For obvious reasons, this is a subject very close to my heart. Previously, I’d worked for corporate organisations – I wanted to reclaim my soul and feel that I was doing something worthwhile! It’s been a very rewarding decision.

needed. Mine is a very people-focused job because I’m often the first point of contact for people approaching the RCS. I love meeting our members.

They’re an eclectic mix and I enjoy chatting to people I wouldn’t ordinarily come across.

Do you enjoy being Danny’s PA?

What’s your favourite thing about working here?

You mean apart from the free lunch? My role is very varied and, because we’re a small team, there’s often the chance to help out other departments. The staff are all friendly and fun to work with.

Everyone chips in to help out when

Sure. He’s pretty easy to organise. One of my previous bosses used to fall asleep at his desk all the time – I could see him through the glass door to his office. To wake him, I had to ring his phone from my mobile and then hang up as he answered. Compared to that, Danny is no problem! exchange

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Food & Wine

Kitchen

Our Chef, Mark Page, gives you a guide to making the perfect Commonwealth dishes.

Here, he reinterprets a classic Rwandan staple.

Plantain Bread Caramelised Banana and Caramel Sauce Serves 4

Ingredients Plantain Bread: 300g castor sugar 150g ripe plantains (very soft) 150g ripe bananas (very soft) 3 eggs 83g butter, melted 83g vegetable oil 300g plain flour 12g baking powder Tuille: 50g plain flour 50g icing sugar

50g egg white 50g clarified butter Caramelised banana and sauce: 4 bananas 50g castor sugar 30g butter, unsalted 50ml water Plating garnish: 80g clotted cream 4 sprigs of mint Icing sugar to dust

Method Plantain Bread:

Tuille:

Caramelised Banana and Sauce:

1) Mix the sugar, plantain and banana using a bowl mixer with a paddle attachment until it becomes a smooth paste.

1) Mix all the ingredients together in a food processor until smooth. Wrap in cling film, place in the fridge and leave to rest for 30 minutes.

1) Heat a frying pan on the stove on medium high heat. Add the sugar to the pan and cook until golden brown. Stir with a wooden spoon occasionally so that the sugar doesn’t catch in corners.

2) Add the eggs one by one until fully mixed in, leaving a shiny appearance.

3) While mixing, slowly pour in the melted butter and vegetable oil.

4) Sieve the flour and baking powder together and fold into the plantain banana mixture using a spatula. Be careful not to beat so that the air in the mixture is not released.

5) Pour into a buttered tray or terrine mould and bake in the oven at 180ºc for approximately 40 minutes. To check it is cooked, put a wooden skewer into the bread’s centre and pull it out. If it comes out clean the bread is done.

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2) Make a template of a triangle (or any shape you would like) using sheets of thick plastic or card and a craft knife. (An old plastic lid of an ice cream tub works well.)

3) With a spatula, scrape a little of the tuille batter into the template on a cookie sheet. Bake in the oven at 180ºc for 3-4 minutes until it is a golden colour. It cooks very quickly so keep an eye on it!

4) Leave to one side and allow to cool.

2) Add the peeled bananas and coat with the browned sugar. Once coloured, remove from the pan and set aside.

3) Add the butter to the sugar and mix. Add the water and cook until incorporated.

WINE TOP TIPS…

RWANDA: food and drink

When it comes to Commonwealth wines, the usual suspects – Aussies, Kiwis and SAFAs – are used to hogging the limelight. So I thought it would be fun to take a look at somewhere very different. This country has over 123,000 acres of vineyards (though only 1% are used for making wine) and is usually associated with undoubtedly fine – though not particularly wine friendly – cuisine. Where? India.

It may come as a surprise to some that, not only does India produce wine, it is ramping up the quality in an effort to be taken seriously in the international wine arena.

With a miniscule market for wine in country (0.007 litres is consumed per capita per annum which amounts to little more than half a teaspoon), India has imported much needed expertise from both the ‘new’ and ‘old’ world.

Probably the most famous ‘flying winemaker’ with an interest in India is Michael Rolland of Bordeaux. Rolland is responsible for Grover La Reserve (Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz) which is featured on our Club list. Aged in French oak barrels, it has a luscious bouquet of fruit and spices with a distinctive oaken flavour. Sadly, this style is not really a match for Indian food and is better paired with European dishes. It’s a quirky, left field choice that’s sure to provoke much discussion at the dinner table!

I must admit to never having visited Rwanda, but “I know a man who has”! Lawrence, a recent RCS intern, was a great help in writing this article. (You can find out more about his travels in Rwanda on page 19.)

Commonwealth Club Manager, Shaun Whitehouse, recommends we try an unusual wine…

Grover La Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz, Bangalore 2006

Assembly

1 2 3 4 5

Delving into the delicacies of the Commonwealth’s newest member is Club Manager, Shaun Whitehouse

Like much of Africa, fresh fruit and vegetables appear to be in abundance and grilled corn is hawked along the roadside. Cassava, sweet potatoes and plantains (as featured in Mark’s recipe) are used widely, but it is the ever present chip which really highlights the Belgian influence in Rwandan cuisine. There are some Africans (mostly Rwandans, I’m sure) who argue that Rwanda is home to the best chip in Africa.

In rural areas, goat, beef and tilapia are all enjoyed.

Brochettes and simple stews often seem to be the order of the day and spices are used less than in the food of other African countries.

Tea is popular and usually taken milky and very sweet.

Lawrence reckons five teaspoons of sugar is about the minimum you can get away with. Ironically, in a country that relies so heavily on the product as an export, coffee is generally instant.

The men drink beer, often served warm, which is the local preference. As in most of Africa, Guinness is popular, but in Rwanda, it is often mixed with coke to satisfy an obviously sweet-toothed nation. For the more adventurous, Lawrence recommends a local banana beer that is fermented in the ground. He reports that the first glass is ok, the second better and he can’t remember anything after the third.

I’m glad he did remember something of his travels though, because first hand experience beats the internet every time.

Slice bread and place in the centre of the plate Slice the banana and place on top of the bread Scoop the clotted cream and place adjacent to the bread Dust tuille with the icing sugar place in cream with the mint Turn over for your Rwanda travel tips

Pour the sauce around the plate and serve

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Travel travel People and Place Capital: kigali Languages: Kinyarwanda, French, Kiswahili and English Peoples: Hutu (90%), Tutsi (8%), Twa Religion: Animist (50%), Christian denominations and an Islamic minority

Inside

Rwanda

When to go Weather: Warm all year throughout the country; cooler in the mountains.

The rainy seasons occur from midJanuary to April and mid-October to mid-December.

Shopping & souvenirs: Woven baskets, clay statuettes, masks, charms. If you see gorilla skulls or hands, you should report the trader to the police.

Highlights Nyungwe National Park: Trek through this dense tropical rainforest – one of the oldest and largest protected montane rainforests in Africa – in search of huge troops of colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and other wildlife, orchids and butterflies.

The park is home to 13 species of primate, some 25 per cent of the total number in Africa.

Consuming pleasures Food & Drink: Maize meal eaten with a sauce of meat gravy or vegetables is a staple. Brochettes are available at street stalls and some restaurants serve Franco-Belgian cuisine. Good selection of wines, beers, and spirits.

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Parc des Volcans: One of the last sanctuaries of the mountain gorilla – there are believed to be no more than 700 left in the world today. The primates live among the forests of this volcanic mountain region, known as the place where American primatologist, Dian Fossey, undertook her pioneering studies of mountain gorilla behaviour.

Her life was recounted in the movie ‘Gorillas in the Mist’, filmed in the park.

The fact that there are any gorillas left at all is largely down to Fossey’s dedication to curtail poaching, before her brutal and still unsolved murder.

Today, military personnel guard the

reserve to keep out poachers and protect visitors. The range’s six extinct and three still-active volcanoes are popular with climbers.

Kigali: Check out the nightlife in Rwanda’s capital and commercial centre. It’s clean, and these days peaceful, but doesn’t have too many tourist sights. It does, however, make a good base from which to explore the rest of the country.

Akagera National Park: Take a safari in this park devoted to preserving native game. It is home to lions, zebras, antelopes, hippos, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, elephants and various bird species.

Burera & Ruhundo Lakes: The view from the strip of land that separates these two odd-shaped, but enchanting, hillside lakes looks out toward the volcanic cones of the Virunga Mountains.

Gisenyi: Rwanda’s most northerly port on Lake Kivu is a blend of old colonial homes, government buildings and hotels in a mix of architectural styles.

The waterfront is made up of red sandy beaches backing on to palmlined avenues.

RWANDA WEAVES ITS MAGIC

As a student, RCS Intern, Lawrence Walker, spent time working and travelling in Rwanda. Here, he tells us why the experience changed his life.

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tepping off the plane,

WEXAS Recommends – Four day Gorilla Safari Seeing some of the last 700 remaining mountain gorillas in the world is a fantastic experience. This safari takes you to Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in Rwanda which has five habituated gorilla families. Tracking most groups in the afro-montane forest usually takes only a few hours. You can also climb a volcano, visit the remains of Dian Fossey’s grave or visit the endangered golden monkey.

Prices from: £1874 per person include 3 nights at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge on an all-inclusive basis and one PNV gorilla permit.

This scheduled safari departs from Kigali on set dates, and follows a set itinerary, with a maximum of eight clients per trip.

WEXAS OFFER: Book a scheduled safari for 6 or more nights for travel in 2010 and receive a free gorilla permit worth $500.

Alternatively we can tailor-make an itinerary to suit your requirements.

For more details please call our Africa experts on 0207 664 2257.

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I was struck by an endless rolling landscape, scattered with precariously perched homes.

Sprawling across four ridges and connecting valleys, Kigali is like any other African capital, a clash of contrasts. Suits in 4x4s work in guarded compounds, hawk-eyed merchants ply their trade in bustling markets, and grubby children scamper through the city and down to low-lying corrugated slums.

I can remember the cynical reactions of my friends when I told them I was off. “Why Rwanda?” they asked. “Because I want to see the country famed as the most enchanting and beautiful in all of Africa”. Simple.

For a small country, Rwanda has much to offer. The rich soil gives life to some of the most spectacular plant life I have ever seen, whilst yielding some of the highest quality tea and coffee on the continent.

To the east, I travelled to the sun-drenched Akagera National Park to chance a glimpse of animals roaming the savannah grasslands.

I journeyed west through fertile slopes, rich with all manner of flora, covering the landscape in a patchwork of greens and yellows. To the southwest, the Nyungwe Forest, nesting ground to 300 species of bird, whose variety of song and colour were truly staggering.

Continuing west, gradients quickly steepen and give way to the imposing Virunga Mountain range, home to the majestic mountain gorillas. Some of the most dramatic scenery can

be found at the lake ports of Kibuye and Gisenyi. A steep trek up the coastal road leads to stunning views across Lake Kivu, with its islands and ragged peninsulas. Tourism is well established here and the atmosphere exudes tropical beach life: swim in the lake, sip cocktails, or, if you feel brave, try the pungent local banana beer. By night, the Mount Nyragongo in neighbouring Congo glows red, dominating the skyline.

A trip to the National Museum of Rwanda in Butare is a must. The museum houses an impressive collection of pre-colonial artefacts and a replica of a King’s hut. Traditional Intore dancers can be seen showcasing their bravery through hunting stories, while women sit in the shade weaving intricate baskets.

Sobering monuments dotted across the country serve as constant reminders of events in 1994. A trip to The Kigali Memorial Centre in Gisozi offers a poignant reminder of the cost of ignorance. Mass graves set in peaceful gardens are deeply affecting tributes to a nation eager to reconcile and move on.

Rwanda is a country full of life. I will never forget the depth of colour and sound, especially the choirs, whose song drifted through the air like an eternal breeze, symbolising hope and freedom. I now understand the meaning of a life-changing experience. exchange

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art

Women of Sierra Leone With the end of an 11-year civil war, which tore Sierra Leone apart, there came the inevitable exodus of TV cameras and reporters. Yet, when Lee Karen Stow, an international photojournalist from Hull, visited the country for the first time in 2007, she was captivated by its untold story.

Advertising photography workshops in Freetown, Lee expected no more than ten women to turn up. On the day, 55 arrived. “I was overwhelmed by their sheer enthusiasm”, Lee says. “They are so desperate to learn new skills – photography, journalism – whatever they are, they just want to be able to improve their lives.”

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In 2008, the same year that Lee celebrated her own 42nd birthday, she discovered that 42 is the average life expectancy of a woman in Sierra Leone. “I couldn’t understand why, only 6 hours flying time away, I could expect to enjoy double the life of these women”, she says.

Lee’s exhibition, ’42 women of Sierra Leone’ is an evolving collection of images which changes each time she returns from one of her regular trips to the country.

She now counts many of the women who first attended her photography workshops as friends. Several of them are using their new-found skills to support their families.

Francess has produced her own photography book, entitled ‘The Beauty of Sierra Leone’ and is selling it to try and raise enough money to open her own studio in Freetown. Rebecca received a laptop, donated to her following one of Lee’s exhibitions in the UK. She is using it to set up her own photography business, though, without electricity, she must travel to the nearby airport to re-charge its batteries. Julie, herself a victim of female

“ Every day now, without fail, I think about those women. How can I, from the vantage point of my rich and comfortable life, convey the desperation and pain they feel, or even their joy and laughter that humble me so?”

genital mutilation, is documenting the practice in the hope of seeing it outlawed. Sarah sold an image for a Christmas card and made enough money to fund her first year at university where she is studying Public Sector Management.

“Every day now, without fail, I think about those women”, Lee says. “How can I, from the vantage point of my rich and comfortable life, convey the desperation and pain they feel, or even their joy and laughter that humble me so?”

One in eight women in Sierra Leone will die during pregnancy or childbirth – one of the highest maternal death rates anywhere in the world. And these are preventable mortalities. ‘Millions’ of deaths are impossible to comprehend, so Lee tries to personalise the shocking statistics. She talks about women like Isatu, whom she had begun to photograph before she bled to death during pregnancy, aged 35. Women like Julie, who regularly searches the cemetery in Freetown for the grave of her daughter Sylvia who died aged 23 following complications The royal commonwealth society

in pregnancy. Women like Gladys, who carried a baby to full term, only to give birth to Lewis, a son who lived for just an hour. Young women, like Francess, Cecilia and Admire, who have yet to have children and say becoming pregnant in Sierra Leone is a death sentence.

“They have to overcome such immense barriers simply in order to live and work as human beings – something that everyone has a right to”, Lee says. “They are women so rich in strength and abilities. I believe they can achieve anything if only they are given a little support and opportunity.”

Though she argues passionately that money alone will never be sufficient, Lee does not pretend to have answers to the plight faced by the women of Sierra Leone. Her job, she believes, is simply to tell their story. And she does.

With a quiet, powerful eloquence that speaks of pain, joy, suffering and hope. www.leekarenstow.com

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Promotion Place your business before the end of June 2010, and benefit from our fantastic reduced Day Delegate Rate of £50 + VAT per delegate.

Including: • • • •

Room hire from 8.00 - 17.00 Lunch (finger or fork buffet) Tea, coffee, biscuits and mineral water and much more...

Please contact the Events Team: 020 7766 9200 / events@thercs.org