Commonwealth Foundation

‘Fifty-six pieces. One alone can’t cover. Stitched together we are like no other.’ Watch Commonwealth Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh’s performance of ‘How to Make a Commonwealth Quilt’, cited at Westminster Abbey during the 2026 Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration. In this moving piece, Selina reflects on how the many stories, histories and cultures of the Commonwealth come together like pieces of a quilt, each block is unique, yet stronger when stitched together. Watch now via @RoyalCWSociety youtube.com/watch?v=A58kQf…

‘A world governed, however imperfectly, by common rules is safer than one in which power alone determines outcomes.’ - H.E. Fatou Bensouda As global politics grow more uncertain, what role should the Commonwealth and civil society play in shaping a more stable and cooperative future? Last week, over 1,000 people joined this conversation. Now you can watch it on demand. Watch the recording of ‘The Commonwealth in a Changing World: Civil Society, Cooperation, and the Future of Multilateralism': youtube.com/watch?v=K9WAd6… Featuring contributions from: H.E. Fatou Bensouda Heba Aly Samir Puri @purisamir1 Satara Uthayakumaran Razmi Farook

In a changing global landscape, cooperation cannot be taken for granted. Today’s Critical Conversation highlighted the vital role that civil society, small states and global institutions can play in shaping the future of multilateralism. Thank you to our speakers and participants for an engaging discussion. If you missed it or want to revisit the discussion, the recording is available here: facebook.com/commonwealthor…

‘We can harness our demographic power. Over 60% of the population of the Commonwealth is under 30… We can translate what young people are demanding on the ground into hard diplomatic action, because we have that asset at our fingertips.’ — Satara Uthayakumaran The Commonwealth’s youth are a vital asset for shaping global cooperation. Join the conversation live: facebook.com/commonwealthor…

Dr Samir Puri reflects on the Commonwealth’s unique role in today’s evolving global landscape: ‘The Commonwealth brings together a significant quorum of people — ministers, governments, states, presidents, Prime Ministers, monarchs […] There is a degree of consensus within the huge community of the Commonwealth […] it’s convening power is an absolutely fantastic attribute.’ Join us live: facebook.com/commonwealthor…

‘The weak, as well as the strong, must be able to look to international norms as a source of protection… In an already unstable world, arbitrariness is a dangerous basis on which to organise international life.’ — H.E. Fatou Bensouda on why international law remains essential in today’s geopolitical landscape. Join us live now: facebook.com/commonwealthor…

We’re live at today’s Critical Conversation on ‘The Commonwealth in a Changing World: Civil Society Cooperation & the Future of Multilateralism’. At a time of shifting global power, rising nationalism and declining trust in institutions, global challenges require cooperation more urgently than ever. Today we ask: what should international cooperation look like in this new era? Join us live now: facebook.com/commonwealthor…

Are you joining us for this? 🔜 The Commonwealth in a Changing World: Civil Society, Cooperation, and the Future of Multilateralism. The event starts in one hour. Hundreds are already tuning in to hear society leaders, government representatives and thinkers explore how the Commonwealth can strengthen international cooperation, rebuild trust, and support collective action in a changing global landscape. Watch live on Facebook at commonwealthorg: facebook.com/commonwealthor…

Yesterday at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, Commonwealth Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh performed her new poem, ‘How to Make a Commonwealth Quilt.’ In the poem, Selina brings together all 56 Commonwealth countries, stitching their stories, histories and cultures into a single work that reflects the richness and diversity of the Commonwealth. ‘Bring your gold. Bring your grief. Your yet-to-be told stories. Your belief. Lay them here — stone and silk. This is how we make a Commonwealth quilt.’ You can now read ‘How to Make a Commonwealth Quilt’ on our online magazine, adda: addastories.org/how-to-make-a-…

As multilateralism comes under heavy strain, what contribution can the #Commonwealth make to a meaningful model of collective problem-solving? How can states reaffirm the merits of dialogue, partnership and collaboration grounded in shared values? Meet the panellists who will answer these questions and more on March 12. Featuring @purisamir1 and @UNCharterReform. RSVP here: actionnetwork.org/events/the-com…

Illustration by Ian Njuguna

Calling poets, painters, photographers, and performers: what will you thread? This #CommonwealthDay, we are creating the first virtual Commonwealth Quilt, a digital tapestry made from creative work across the Commonwealth. Inspired by Commonwealth Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh, we invite you to respond to a single prompt: ‘Thread’. Dancers thread movement between bodies. Musicians thread melody through rhythm. Painters thread colour. Storytellers thread narrative. Photographers thread light. What thread do you bring to the Commonwealth? We welcome submissions across visual, literary and performing arts, including painting, photography, poetry, music, dance, spoken word and short film. Both artists and non-artists can participate. You can submit as an individual or a group. All eligible submissions will be displayed in the virtual Commonwealth Quilt. Up to three submissions per region will be selected for a physical exhibition during the Commonwealth People’s Forum and will receive a £200 award. The submission window runs from 9 March to 9 May 2026. Sign up to learn more and find out how to take part: actionnetwork.org/forms/express-… #CommonwealthQuilt

Commonwealth Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh will recite her new poem ‘How to Make a Commonwealth Quilt’ at the 2026 Commonwealth Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Monday, 9 March. The poem is a patchwork of 56 poems – one for each Commonwealth country – celebrating the many voices and connections that make up the Commonwealth. We will be sharing updates from Selina’s recital on Commonwealth Day. Selina’s work has also inspired our newly launched creative call, the Commonwealth Quilt, which invites participants to respond creatively to the prompt ‘Thread’. Sign up to learn more about the Commonwealth Quilt: actionnetwork.org/forms/express-…

🌍 A new world is emerging. For the Commonwealth, this moment is critical. How can we solve global problems and advance Commonwealth values in a shifting global order? Join our upcoming Critical Conversation. Sign up now: actionnetwork.org/events/the-com…

Creativity has a powerful role to play in shaping the future of the Commonwealth. At the launch of the Commonwealth Quilt in Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth Foundation Director-General Razmi Farook said: 'Creativity is our most resilient tool in this very volatile world, and we hope that through the Commonwealth Quilt, we can call forth the collective creativity across the Commonwealth to shape our collective futures.' Submissions open on Commonwealth Day, 9 March. Sign up to learn more: actionnetwork.org/forms/express-…

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon @gastonbrowne, joined Commonwealth Foundation Director-General Razmi Farook, alongside representatives from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, at the launch of the Commonwealth Quilt yesterday. The initiative invites citizens across the Commonwealth to contribute creative responses ahead of the Commonwealth People’s Forum, where a curated exhibition and digital gallery will display selected works in November 2026. The Prime Minister said: 'The Commonwealth embraces countless peoples and many cultural nationalities. A quilt that embodies the diversity and inclusiveness of this vital multilateral institution is a welcome sign of our limitless comity and desired well-being.' Submissions formally open on Commonwealth Day, 9 March. Sign up to learn more actionnetwork.org/forms/express-…

🌐 Multilateralism is under severe strain. For the Commonwealth, this moment is critical. How can we advance law, justice and human rights in this shifting landscape? Join our upcoming Critical Conversation to unpack the new international order. Sign up now: actionnetwork.org/events/the-com…

Calling all artists 🎨 ✍️ 📹 💃 🎭 We are launching the Commonwealth Quilt, a new creative initiative for Commonwealth citizens ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth People’s Forum in Antigua and Barbuda. Inspired by Commonwealth Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh, participants are invited to respond to the prompt ‘Thread’ — reflecting the many ways colours, movement, sound, words and materials are woven into meaning. Up to three submissions per region will be selected and awarded £200 each, with winning entries showcased at a physical exhibition in Antigua and Barbuda. All selected works will form part of a curated digital Commonwealth Quilt, bringing together creative voices from across our member countries. Submissions open on Commonwealth Day, 9 March, and close on 9 May. Expressions of interest are now open. Writers, artists and performers are encouraged to respond in digital formats, from visual art and literature to performance, as we draw on the collective creativity of Commonwealth citizens and reflect it at the People’s Forum this November. What thread will you bring? Find out more and register your interest: actionnetwork.org/forms/express-…

Live now: How to Make a Commonwealth Quilt Join the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon Gaston Browne; HE Ambassador Clarence Pilgrim; HE Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom; and the Hon E. P. Chet Greene, Minister for Foreign Affairs, alongside other government colleagues and Commonwealth Foundation Director-General Razmi Farook, as they launch a new creative initiative. fb.watch/FCDtxIVyKK/

Does your organisation seek to strengthen civic voice and build constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers? Every year, we provide grants of up to £60,000 to civil society organisations working across our key thematic areas, including freedom of expression and climate justice. We support projects that foster constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers in our member countries. Our 2026 call will open later this year. Sign up to learn more. #mail-signup" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">commonwealthfoundation.com/grants/annual/…