What is the future of the Commonwealth?  What is its relevance today, especially to the under 25’s.

These were issues debated by eminent politicians, academics, renowned opinion formers and school students at an evening seminar in Parliament on Wednesday.

The delegates had three hours to discuss and develop ideas about the future direction of the Commonwealth Family. These ideas will be presented together with opinions from other Commonwealth Members at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November in Port of Spain.

Hon Peter Dunn launched the Commonwealth Conversation debate. There followed entertaining, thought provoking speeches from John Allen, Prof. David McIntyre, Chris Trotter and Prof. James Belich. All food for thought for the discussion groups that followed.

A film, which represented the ideas of a group of 36 students from seven Auckland schools, was shown at the seminar. The contents of the film had been prepared by the students at a Commonwealth Conversation at One Tree Hill College.. A copy of this film was given to the Prime Minister before the Wellington event this film sets out student’s ideas on engaging youth with the Commonwealth.

Former Prime Minister, Dame Jenny Shipley who had earlier chaired the seminar offered the concept that the Commonwealth was ‘safe for difference’ because of its culture. She argued that this “was a powerful tool to build the future ‘of the Commonwealth as countries freely participate in dialogue despite the complexities and differences of the 53 nations.

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