Commonwealth countries league

The "Commonwealth Countries League" (CCL) is a voluntary pan-Commonwealth civil society organisation. The objectives are to secure equality of liberties, status and opportunities between men and women and to promote mutual understanding throughout the Commonwealth. The CCL is non-party and is open to men and women from all countries. It promotes the education of girls and young women and links together women’s organizations throughout the Commonwealth. In particular it raises money for its associated charity, the Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund.

History, Structure and Governance

History

The CCL grew from the British Commonwealth League.^[1] The BCL was conceived as an idea in 1923 by a group of women who had been involved in the suffrage movement. A group of Australian women had come to London to march in the suffrage parades in support of the British suffragettes, their main aim being to support women of any ethnicity, in other Dominions and colonies to get the vote. Women also came from India, the Caribbean, South Africa and other countries. The BCL was established to “promote equality of liberties, status and opportunities between women and men, and to encourage mutual understanding throughout the Commonwealth”. This was formally instituted as the CCL in 1925.

Mission

The Commonwealth Countries League works for rights and interests of women in the Commonwealth by providing a platform:

• To exchange knowledge on issues relating to families, women and girls

• To lobby the relevant authorities on those issues

• To focus on friendship and networking between Commonwealth countries

• To facilitate the co-operation between Commonwealth women’s organisations through its affiliates

• To raise funds for the secondary/high school education of girls throughout the Commonwealth

• To keep in touch with them after school through the Alumnae Association

The League's vision is, through the Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund, to change Commonwealth lives through education and friendship and to educate and empower young women as agents of change in their own communities. The CCLEF identifies and sponsors girls of ability through secondary school where, without assistance, they would be unable or unlikely to continue; to give them a sense of their own value and worth and to enable them to act as ambassadors for female education within their own communities.

Governance

The CCL is run by an Executive Committee elected annually by and from the membership. In addition representatives from affiliated organisations can attend the Executive meetings on a non-voting basis. A President is appointed at the AGM every three years. The CCL holds seminars and conferences relating to the girl child, women’s role in development and human rights. It continues its work with civil societies to further the exchange of information and Commonwealth friendship. It also organises the CCL Alumnae Association of former sponsored girls and members who have returned to their home countries. The CCL Next Generation is a parallel group of young volunteers who are helping to fundraise and support the work of the CCL.

• Patron: Baroness Boothroyd, OM, PC

• President: Louisa Service OBE

• Executive Chair: Julie Watson

• Hon Secretary: Tricia George

• Hon Treasurer: Parveen Yusuf

• Membership Secretary: Dale Eaton

Membership

Membership of the League is open to all with an interest in the aims. There are currently around 500 members, including most of the London-based High Commissioners or their spouses and a broad range of educators and supporters.

Charitable Activities

The philosophy behind the CCL’s work is that educated girls with a highly developed sense of responsibility are more likely to provide a better future for themselves as well as for their communities. The primary recipient of funds from CCL activities is the Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund (CCLEF). Sponsorship has enabled our girls to enter many professions. The scheme enables girls, who have academic potential but whose parents or guardians cannot support them financially, to continue their secondary education in their own Commonwealth country. Even where secondary education is free help may be needed with providing school uniform or writing materials, transport costs, tuition and examination fees and incidental expenses.

During 2012/13 sponsorship rose from 364 to 397 and over 90 girls completed their secondary education. Some will go on to university, others to training colleges: all should now have the ability to take greater control of their lives, have increased knowledge, greater earning capacity and the opportunity to overcome poverty.

Events

The league holds a number of fundraising events through the year, including afternoon teas, lunches and dinners - often hosted by a High Commission, and fashion shows such as the Splendours of the Commonwealth in September 2013. The major event of the year is the Commonwealth Fair in November.

See also

• Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund

External links

• Commonwealth Countries League official website
• Splendours of the Commonwealth 2013
• Annual Report 2012/13 of the CCLEF
• The 2013 Commonwealth Fair

References