Gabon recently hosted a coastal-clean up on the 11 th October event as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, an initiative championed by the Royal Commonwealth Society in partnership with Commonwealth Sport. This clean-up was timed to coincide with the King’s Baton Relay, ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, a reimagined environmental relay that weaves through Commonwealth nations, combining celebration of sport with sustainability. Gabon’s event wa

In a display of community spirit and environmental responsibility, volunteers in Lesotho gathered along the banks of the Mohokare (Caledon) River for a major clean-up event held as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign on the 6 October 2025. The initiative brought local organisations, youth groups, sports representatives, and environmental advocates together in a collective effort to tackle plastic pollution and preserve one of the country’s most vital water

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

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.

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.

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.

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...

From 3 to 8 October, Ghana proudly hosted the King’s Baton Relay, as part of a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and a celebration of sport and community. The Baton’s arrival marked a significant step in the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, reaffirming Ghana’s dedication to sustainability, community engagement, and cultural pride. The official launch took place at Jubilee House in Accra, where the Chief of Staff received the Baton from Commonwe

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.

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.

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

Green Living Movement Eswatini proudly participated in the King’s Baton Relay 2026 for the upcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Green Living Movement Eswatini, a charity that promotes sustainability and community, held a plastic clean-up event on the Mbabane River in the capital of Eswatini as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign. Through their ongoing work in environmental education, green skills training, and community development, the organisation e

The Final Panel of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025 brings together an extraordinary assembly of literary luminaries, cultural leaders, and creative voices from across the Commonwealth. Leading this distinguished panel are our two eminent Chairs, Sir Ben Okri OBE and Imtiaz Dharker, whose vision and artistry embody the spirit of storytelling, followed by a diverse group of esteemed writers, scholars, educators, and cultural figures whose collective expertise en

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.

The Baton was revealed featuring a design created by Chrisford “Chris” Chayera, a Malawian visual mouth artist who paints by manoeuvring the brush with his mouth. His artwork shaped the Baton’s panels, showcasing elements of Malawi’s cultural identity and sporting heritage. Its features included the national flag, Lake Malawi, Chambo fish, Baobab and Palm trees, Mount Mulanje and its tea estates, as well as the UNESCO-recognised Gule Wamkulu dance. Sporting motifs were also i

Welcome to the first instalment of From the Archives , a new feature in our newsletter where we share stories uncovered in the Royal...

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.

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.

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).

In Botswana, women remain significantly underrepresented in governance, making up less than 11% of decision-making spaces, from local...