How does the Commonwealth work?
What happens at CHOGMs?
CHOGMs are big affairs - after all, Commonwealth leaders govern over a quarter of the world's population. These days, heads of government bring large delegations with them - ministers and civil servants. Several hundred people are involved.
The summits open with a formal ceremony, which the Queen usually attends. But thereafter the style of the meeting changes and the informality of the Commonwealth takes over. The leaders of small, developing countries have exactly the same status as those of large, highly developed nations. All sit down together as equals, with a limited number of advisers. Usually, too, the leaders go into 'retreat' - they move to somewhere really quiet, away from the press, and have private discussions.
Over the years, leaders build friendships and are able to talk to each other in a direct and open way, which is unusual in gatherings of world leaders.
What do the leaders talk about?
At CHOGMs, Commonwealth leaders talk about world affairs, such as terrorism. Through consensus, they agree a united Commonwealth view on such matters. But more importantly, they discuss and agree the policies and activities of the Commonwealth for the next two years. It is CHOGM which directs all the activities of the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Secretariat
When CHOGM is over, the leaders and their delegations fly home, the forums come to an end, and the Commonwealth drops out of the headlines. Yet it is then that the real work begins. It is the Commonwealth Secretariat's job to carry out the plans and decisions of CHOGM - it is the Secretariat which makes the Commonwealth work.
About 290 people work at the Secretariat in London. They come from many different Commonwealth countries. At the head of the Secretariat is the Secretary-General, currently Don Mackinnon. The Secretariat arranges meetings, carries out programmes and provides information on the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth family
There are many more Commonwealth organisations. Every day individuals in these organisations are busy exchanging information with partners in other countries, are co-operating with each other and are visiting each other, to further their common aims. This vast network of co-operation underpins the official Commonwealth - it is what makes the association a 'family'.
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