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From the Archives: a line-up for the ages - speakers at the Royal Commonwealth Society
Since 1885, the Royal Commonwealth has welcomed some of the most influential figures in the history of the Commonwealth. Its clubhouse on Northumberland Avenue became a key stop for politicians and activists visiting London, offering opportunities to sway members through speeches and social gatherings. In this edition of From the Archives , the dedicated team curating the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Archive at Cambridge University Library uncovers some of the club’s most fas

Elizabeth van der Valk
4 days ago5 min read


Maun Community Unites for a Cleaner Thamalakane River
On 23rd September 2025, Wild Entrust and Commonwealth Sport Botswana welcomed the Commonwealth Games Federation’s King’s Baton Relay to Maun. The Baton, which travels through every Commonwealth nation Campaign began at 8 am on Le Morne Beach. Orchestrated by RCS’s in-country partner We Recycle and Commonwealth Games Mauritius, a 25-strong team comprised of community members, youth, and athletes collected 35 kg of litter, amounting to 8,228 pieces of plastic, from along the Le

Wild Entrust Botswana
Oct 33 min read


Reimagining Learning with Enlighten VR - CYGEN Member Spotlight for Nigerian Independence Day
Enlighten VR is a virtual reality learning platform designed to upgrade education through immersive experiences. I created this platform to bridge the gap between traditional learning and emerging technology, giving students and educators the chance to interact with their subjects in 3D virtual environments, rather than just reading from flat textbooks.Â

Daniyan Titilayo
Oct 12 min read


Mauritius' Lively Contribution to the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign
8 September 2025, Mauritius’s contribution to the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Plastics Campaign began at 8 am on Le Morne Beach. Orchestrated by RCS’s in-country partner We Recycle and Commonwealth Games Mauritius, a 25-strong team comprised of community members, youth, and athletes collected 35 kg of litter, amounting to 8,228 pieces of plastic, from along the Le Morne shoreline.Â

James Clark
Sep 263 min read


Plogging & Blue Coins: The Green Future is Now in Mozambique!
Have you heard of plogging? If not, why not! Originating in Sweden around 2016, the term ‘plogging’ is a blend of the Swedish verb plocka (to pick up) and the English word jogging. This hobby, consisting of joggers cleaning up their communities mid-stride, perfectly encapsulates the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign’s partnership with Commonwealth Sport. Now, thanks to Mozambique, plogging has become part of the campaign.Â

James Clark
Sep 263 min read


Victor Austin Kiyaga - QCEC Junior Runner-up 2024 "One Story Can Open Thousands of Doors"
When I was crowned Junior Runner-up in The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024, I didn't know that I had unlocked thousands of...

Victor Austin Kiyaga
Sep 243 min read


Postcard From South Africa - Zoe Prinsloo & Save a Fishie
Yesterday, my mom and I had the absolute pleasure of being part of the King’s Baton Relay Clean-up event in KwaZulu-Natal! I’m beyond proud that Save a Fishie was chosen as a Country Partner by the Royal Commonwealth Society for the clean-up segment of this iconic relay. It was a day that celebrated action, connection, and the power of communities coming together for our planet.
Zoe Prinsloo
Sep 193 min read


Coming Together for a Cleaner Kafue: Over 180kg of Plastic Removed in Zambia
On Thursday, 28 August 2025, the banks of the Kafue River were the site of Zambia’s contribution to the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Plastics Campaign. Organised by the Commonwealth Games Association of Zambia, the day of action included help from Kafue townspeople, Zambian athletes, and teachers and students from a local school.
By the end of the day, more than 180 kilograms of plastic had been cleared from the riverbank, roughly 3,000 pieces.

James Clark
Sep 182 min read


RCS Newsletter - August 2025
Welcome to August 2025's edition of Commonwealth Voices, the Royal Commonwealth Society's newsletter.

James Clark
Sep 181 min read


Meet the Final Panel Judges of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025
The Final Panel of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025 brings together an extraordinary assembly of literary luminaries,...

Elizabeth van der Valk
Sep 85 min read


Commonwealth Games Association of Tanzania Leads Clean-up at the Stunning Msasani Beach
On 2 August 2025, the Commonwealth Games Association of Tanzania brought together volunteers, athletes, and community members for an inspiring clean-up event at Msasani Beach, one of Dar es Salaam’s most vibrant coastal areas. They were supported by Kinondoni Municipal, Msasani Ward and Msasani A Primary School.Â

William Bolton
Sep 43 min read


From the Archives: The History of Travel as a Prize in The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition
Welcome to the first instalment of From the Archives , a new feature in our newsletter where we share stories uncovered in the Royal...

From the Archives
Aug 292 min read


Malaysia in the Commonwealth: Defence, Duty, and Diaspora
On Malaysia’s 68th Independence Day, I reflect not just on Malaysia’s journey, but on my own one shaped by Commonwealth ties, intergenerational service, and a city that raised me in contradictions. To be precise, this anniversary marks Malaya’s independence in 1957, when it became the tenth member of the Commonwealth. Malaysia as we know it today emerged in 1963 through union with Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore (though Singapore departed in 1965). This layered history matters.

Dr Hannah Nazri
Aug 294 min read


Naijareadfest: Redefining Nigeria’s Reading Culture, One Page at a Time
Five readers united by passion, envisioned by a purpose and committed to one goal. Just one goal. A goal to inspire, ignite and promote reading as a tool for unity, growth and development.

Kingsley Sintim
Aug 152 min read


Cameroon National Beach Clean-up Day & The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign
The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign reached new heights as it passed through Cameroon, thanks to the brilliant in-country partner, the Cameroonian Association for Community Awareness (ASCOA).

James Clark
Aug 153 min read


Reclaiming Democracy: How Rural Women in Botswana Are Leading the Conversation
In Botswana, women remain significantly underrepresented in governance, making up less than 11% of decision-making spaces, from local...

Katso Lizarene Ramodia
Aug 123 min read


Her Voice: Her Dream Initiative advances sexual violence reporting across northern NigeriaÂ
My name is Heritage Sanmi-Lawal, and in 2023, my NGO Her Dream Initiative launched the ‘Her Voice Project’, a project aimed at educating...

Heritage Sanmi-Lawal
Aug 123 min read


Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign in Kenya
On 18 July, Royal Commonwealth Society country partner FlipFlopi gathered the vibrant coastal community of Matondoni Village for a day of hands-on environmental action. The initiative was organised in close collaboration with the Matondoni School Environmental Club and the Matondoni Women’s Group.

James Clark
Aug 13 min read


Royal Commonwealth Society of Nova Scotia Branch Supports Student Shoreline Learning Experience
The Royal Commonwealth Society of Nova Scotia Branch proudly supported the Clean Water School Program , an initiative by the Clean...
Royal Commonwealth Society Novia Scotia Branch
Aug 11 min read


RCS Newsletter - July 2025
Welcome to July 2025's edition of Commonwealth Voices, the Royal Commonwealth Society's newsletter.

James Clark
Aug 11 min read
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