Dear editor:
Change is not something that we can control but may be used to adapt. Few people have the authority and ability to comprehend the necessity of change to the benefit of all. There are four nations that seem to historically instill change in our world environment. Those nations are China, Russia, the United States and Great Britain.
A singular nation, Great Britain has stood by and watched the world change without taking advantage of its unique position in this world order. The British Commonwealth, an institution established by the British Empire, is uniquely positioned to influence the international frenzy of change currently being undertaken by the nations of Russia, China and the United States.
The Commonwealth, a collective of member and republic states or 56 nations, comprising a population of more than 2.3 billion individuals, has no legal or formal obligation to one another; they are held together by shared traditions, institutions and experiences as well as by economic self-interest administered through the Commonwealth secretariat, with King Charles as the head of the Commonwealth.
The world has the need of leadership reflecting the community needs for sustainable society. The Commonwealth can provide that leadership with the philosophy inspired by King Charles referred to as harmony through understanding the balance, order and relationships between nations and the natural world, thereby creating a more sustainable future.
Such a future will learn from other religious traditions, building bridges and fostering good relationships built on respect and understanding.
Each nation within the Commonwealth has something to offer the world. As a political tool, it exemplifies the various styles of governance that can cooperate in an undefined co-operative of nations.
The possibility exists of enhancing the Commonwealth’s role in the world through further evolution of its political role and free trade among nation states would be an economic motivator.
Recent negotiations between Canada and the European Union exemplifies the feasibility of expanding an international role in such policy areas as digital trade, opportunities for nations to educate, travel and emigrate citizens to facilitate investment in resources and energy development, with an endgame to fight anti-competitive activity, or harmony.
The requirement to reach this goal would be empowered through leadership, best instilled by the King of England, as the head of the Commonwealth.
The king, as institutional head of the Commonwealth represented through the Commonwealth secretariat, has the authority to head a meeting to discuss the future of the Commonwealth.
As such, the appointment of the Prince of Wales to chair the meetings would ensure a long-term stability to the evolution of the end result to these meetings.
Where such a series of meetings would lead the Commonwealth and the world would be determined by the participants, an exclusive but oftentimes neglected group of nations in today’s political environment.
Canada’s prime minister has clearly shown leadership in expanding the need to divert the authority of China, Russia and the United States in the current world order. The potential expansion of the role of the Commonwealth as a member of this coming world order may complement such initiatives.
Is it feasible for the current prime minister of Canada to request a meeting of the Commonwealth secretariat chaired by the king to discuss the potential of expanding the political role of the Commonwealth itself to counter the growth of the expansion of the role of China, Russia and the United States?
Derek Insley
NOTL
