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There are several organisations that have a key role in supporting and developing the role of the Commonwealth; the Commonwealth Institute, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council, the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum.

This was established in 1965 as the main intergovernmental agency of the Commonwealth, facilitating consultation and cooperation among member governments and countries. It is headed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General and is located at Marlborough House in London.

There is an excellent website (http://www.thecommonwealth.org) which would provide you with a good starting point for further information as it includes a Commonwealth Directory of 43 associations and organisations linked to the Commonwealth.

The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) aims to promote internationally an understanding of the nature & workings of the Commonwealth, and of the factors which shape the lives of its peoples and the policies of its governments. Underlining the work of the RCS is the belief that an understanding of the Commonwealth is the key to creating successful multi-cultural societies across the world.

more about Royal Commonwealth Society...

The Commonwealth Institute is an independent agency working to promote learning across the many cultures of the Commonwealth. It provides education programmes for schools, and its centre in Kensington London offers exhibitions, publications and events.

The Commonwealth Institute's website (http://www.commonwealth.org.uk) is a very good resource.

CYEC is a voluntary youth organisation promoting two-way links between young people in the UK and their contemporaries in Commonwealth countries. The organisation was inspired by its founders who believed that the modern Commonwealth had much to contribute to a multi-racial United Kingdom as well as vice versa.

A commonwealth youth exchange is a cross-cultural experience for local groups of 16-25 year olds, based on a joint programme of sustained activities with a group of young people in a host country and focuses on themes relevant to their local communities. The CYEC currently supports an annual programme of between 70-80 locally based projects involving 2,000 young people in 25 partner countries.

For more information, contact:
CYEC. 7 Lion Yard, Tremadoc Road, London, SW4 7NQ
Tel: 020 7498 6151 Fax: 020 7720 5403
E-mail: Mail@cyec.demon.co.uk
or visit their website at http://www.cyec.org.uk.

This museum opened in Bristol in 2002 and covers the history of Britain's imperial past, celebrates the achievements of the modern day Commonwealth and seeks to help children and young people to enrich their understanding and appreciation of the Commonwealth through its global education programme.

You are recommended to consult their website (http://www.empiremuseum.co.uk) for full details of its programme of activities for young people. Events include arts & humanities workshops, radio room workshops, holiday activities, special events for families, group bookings and outreach events.