Yesterday the Commonwealth Games got underway
in Delhi , India
Running from October 3-14, this sporting event
brings together 71 nations and dependencies
who compete in certain Olympic sports,
but also lawn bowls,
rugby sevens, and netball.
Competing teams include South Africa , Pakistan
The games are held every four years
The Commonwealth of Nations
is an intergovernmental organization
of 54 independent member states.
All but two of these countries
were formerly part of the British Empire .
The member states co-operate
within a framework of common values and goals,
including democracy, human rights,
the rule of law, and individual liberty.
The Commonwealth is an intergovernmental organization
through which countries
with diverse social and political backgrounds
are regarded as equal in status.
The symbol of the member states’ free association
is the Head of the Commonwealth,
a ceremonial position currently held
by Queen Elizabeth II.
separately and independently,
of 16 Commonwealth members.
Commonwealth countries are not considered
to be "foreign" to one another.
Reflecting this, diplomatic missions
between Commonwealth countries
are designated as High Commissions
rather than embassies.
The Commonwealth Games seem to have got off to a shaky start. I feel sorry for India with all the teething problems, and empty stands. Lets hope it picks up.
ReplyDeleteAt school we had wall maps of the world on roller poles. The British Commonwealth / Empire was coloured red (I think they kept an old one to maximise the spread). Of course Canada made the biggest and most eye-catching 'splash'.
Yes, I'm at a conference in Atlanta and haven't followed the games closely.
ReplyDeleteI remember the maps with pink for former British colonies. It's amazing to me that the end of Empire did not produce unending bitterness toward the "mother country", and that all these nations see some benefit in a continuing symbolic connection with one another.