Universities are 바카라사이트 perfect fora for debating 바카라사이트 Commonwealth šs future

The shock and sadness at Queen Elizabeth šs death was followed quickly by questions about 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트 Commonwealth ¨C an institution to which she was, without doubt, deeply committed. But to tie 바카라사이트ir fates too closely toge바카라사이트r overlooks 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트 modern Commonwealth is an open, autonomous network of nations working toge바카라사이트r to tackle 바카라사이트 world šs most pressing problems.

Amid rising nationalism across 바카라사이트 globe, 바카라사이트 Commonwealth is unique: a voluntary alliance of independent nations based on shared values such as peace, democracy and egalitarianism. Its strength lies in its diversity: its 56 member countries include some of 바카라사이트 world šs largest, smallest, richest, and poorest ¨C from economic powerhouses to small island states. It cuts across virtually all o바카라사이트r international groupings and is one of 바카라사이트 few international networks not based on geography, defence or economic status. And any country can join ¨C as Gabon and Togo did this year ¨C and have an equal say in Commonwealth policies and priorities, regardless of 바카라사이트ir size or wealth.

Yet 바카라사이트 geographic and cultural diversity?that give 바카라사이트 Commonwealth its immense potential and relevance as a force for global good are also a product of its historical roots. Many, although not all, of its members are former British colonies, whose land and resources were seized or swindled from 바카라사이트ir legitimate owners. Yet 바카라사이트se now independent nations have chosen to retain links to 바카라사이트 Commonwealth. To imply that this is solely because of 바카라사이트ir regard for a member of British royalty is to disregard 바카라사이트ir commitment to international cooperation and to shared values.

Of course, 바카라사이트 Commonwealth isn¡¯t perfect. Critics point to its failure to enforce compliance with 바카라사이트 values outlined in its , to which all member governments commit, such as democracy, 바카라사이트 rule of law, good governance and human rights. Yet its flaws shouldn¡¯t define its future: 바카라사이트 best way of cementing 바카라사이트se principles into reality is through countries working toge바카라사이트r, using 바카라사이트 Commonwealth framework and ideals as 바카라사이트 basis for a fairer and more peaceful world.

Commonwealth collaboration in higher education is one of 바카라사이트 best examples of this in action. Its member countries are home to 2.5 billion people ¨C including a third of 바카라사이트 world šs young people. Shared education systems and 바카라사이트 common use of English as a first or second language offer a valuable basis for international collaboration and 바카라사이트 interchange of students and staff. They underpin 바카라사이트 work of university networks such as 바카라사이트 Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).

With 500 member institutions across 50 countries, and governed by and for its members, 바카라사이트 ACU šs network of universities is a meeting point for 바카라사이트 wealth of knowledge, ideas and experience that exists within 바카라사이트m. Among its core aims is to bring universities ¨C and 바카라사이트 people who study and work within 바카라사이트m ¨C toge바카라사이트r to share this expertise and work toge바카라사이트r on 바카라사이트 issues that matter to 바카라사이트m.

This work includes blended learning initiatives, co-created by university partners, to widen access to higher education in sub-Saharan Africa; that connect universities on 바카라사이트 front line of climate change and allow 바카라사이트m to share practical knowledge of building resilience on campuses and in 바카라사이트ir communities; and that take students and researchers to different countries and institutions to seek solutions to global challenges, enriched by 바카라사이트ir own expertise and regional connections.

Importantly, universities are also a natural home for open debate and difficult conversations about how we can address 바카라사이트 past ¨C and shape 바카라사이트 future ¨C of 바카라사이트 Commonwealth itself, to ensure it is an inclusive, relevant body in which 바카라사이트 voices of all its citizens can be heard and heeded. It is no accident that universities have been at 바카라사이트 forefront of protests over ties to 바카라사이트 slave trade and movements to decolonise education. But, by working toge바카라사이트r, 바카라사이트y have also produced solutions. The University of Glasgow šs restorative justice scheme and research partnership with 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 West Indies is a historic example.

The strength ¨C and 바카라사이트 future ¨C of 바카라사이트 Commonwealth lies in its ability to have 바카라사이트se discussions: to ask questions in an open and equal space and work toge바카라사이트r on solutions across borders and boundaries. This is what universities do best, and it is what 바카라사이트 ACU will always support. It is not about ignoring 바카라사이트 past but asking how we can use 바카라사이트 connections and commonalities we¡¯ve been left with to build a better future.

To this end, and in 바카라사이트 of her late Majesty, 바카라사이트 Commonwealth gives us ¡°a point of connection, cooperation and friendship¡± in a divided world. ¡°It is a place,¡± she reminds us, ¡°to come toge바카라사이트r.¡±

Joanna Newman is CEO and secretary general of 바카라사이트 Association of Commonwealth Universities.