“We the people of the Commonwealth”

Commonwealth People’s Forum opens in the historic city of Galle five days ahead of CHOGM 2013, to deal with Equitable Development and Inclusive Growth as the organisation prepares to frame its post-2015 development agenda

By Dharisha Bastians

President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open the Commonwealth People’s Forum in the former colonial capital of Galle yesterday, making a case for a post-2015 development agenda centred on inclusive growth, human rights and press freedom but emphasising that civil society organisations must prioritise loyalty to the motherland.

“While diversity of opinion is natural in civil society, it is important that one basic quality should underpin the work and the thinking of all civil society organisations. This quality without doubt should be feeling for one’s motherland and commitment to her wellbeing. The stature and territorial integrity of the country is the crucial consideration,” President Rajapaksa said, during a colourful opening ceremony inside the Dutch Fort of Galle.

The Commonwealth People’s Forum is a biennial gathering held as a precursor to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting every two years and brings together civil society groups from Commonwealth countries around the world. The Forum culminates in a roundtable discussion with Foreign Ministers and offers an opportunity to project key concerns to ministers at the highest levels in the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth People’s Forum provides the space for discussions on multi-stakeholder discussions about the post-2015 debate on the development agenda, the President said.

Sri Lankan experience

Drawing from the Sri Lankan experience, the President said the country was experiencing a period of transformation after 30 years of brutal bloodshed. “The transformation promises a bright smiling future for all its citizens,” he emphasised.

“This sad period of our history was destructive not only in a materialistic way, but also in a way that affected the very soul of our people, and our nation. We are finding our way once again, though there is many an obstacle,” the President said.

President Rajapaksa said that the vision for the world beyond 2015 will be to progress beyond poverty reduction. “Towards achieving holistic development that encompasses human rights, equality and sustainability. It would also have to incorporate the four dimensions: ensuring peace and security, inclusive economic development, inclusive social development, and environmental sustainability,” he said.

New charter

Addressing the gathering Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said the people’s Commonwealth had been given right and due prominence in a new charter that begins with the words: “We the people of the Commonwealth.”

Chairman of the CPF Subcommittee Dr. Lalith Chandradasa said the outcome of the People’s Forum would affect lives in the Commonwealth countries.

“The world as we know it today has been subject to multiple crises and a growing development disparity between north and south,” Chandradasa said, adding that Millennium Development Goals would help to bridge the gap towards a better future.

The Chairman said there were no better representatives to address these issues than those from civil society. “The 2013 CPF will provide us the opportunity to engage with our leader and governments in realising and jointly working towards priorities identified by various forums taking place during the summit,” he added.

Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation that organises the CPF on the sidelines of every summit, Sir Anand Satyanand said it was the first time in this century that the People’s Forum would be staged in Asia.

He said the forum provided a theatre for civil society in Sri Lanka to make connections with counterparts in other sections of the Commonwealth. “The role of civil society is extolled in the Commonwealth Charter. We are ready to provide oxygen for discussions,” he said.

CPF opening ceremony

The Presidential motorcade entered the historic Galle Fort at 5 p.m. carrying President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. The President was received by Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and Chairman of the CPF Sub Committee Dr. Lalith Chandradasa.

Also at hand to greet the President on his arrival were Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma, Governor of the Southern Province Kumari Balasuriya and Acting Mayor of Galle Kelum Seneviratne.

A host of Ministers including Leader of the House Nimal Siripala De Silva, Rauff Hakeem, Felix Perera, G.L. Peiris, Mahinda Samarasinghe and Deputy Speaker of the House Chandimal Weerakoddy attended the CPF opening ceremony. Among the invitees was Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Foreign Secretary Karunathilake Amunugama and Army Commander Lt. Gen. Daya Ratnayake.

Flags of the 53 Commonwealth member states fluttered over the ramparts of the historic Galle Fort that was decoratively illuminated for the twilight ceremony to open this year’s CPF. After the opening ceremony CPF delegates were invited to attend a gala reception hosted by the President.

Focus on post-2015 development agenda

A record number of 800 delegates will attend CPF 2013, that will be held in Hikkaduwa. Three hundred of these will be foreign delegates.

The theme of this year’s CPF is ‘Equitable Growth and Inclusive Development: Beyond 2015’. The focus will be on the post-2015 development agenda with workshops on food security, climate change, diversity, women’s economic empowerment, reconciliation and creative expression, and building employment opportunities. For governments, the People’s Forum is an opportunity to engage with civil society; to hear what they have to say and to respond accordingly.

The Commonwealth People’s Forum will be held at Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa from 10-14 November.

Pix by Upul Abayasekara and Sudath Silva Official Photographer CHOGM 2013