Independent Forum of Commonwealth Organisations (IFCO)
ALPHABETICAL DIRECTORY OF COMMONWEALTH ACCREDITED
AND ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS
(With links to the websites of these Commonwealth Organisations, where available).
[For a searchable list of Commonwealth Organisations, by name and by region, go here.]
African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies
The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) is independent, non-profit regional human rights NGO based in Banjul, The Gambia.
Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (ACLALS)
An association of academics, practitioners and writers, ACLALS assists and promotes the study and research of Commonwealth literature and languages.
Association of Commonwealth Archivists and Record Managers
The Association of Commonwealth Archivists and Records Managers (ACARM) was founded in 1984 to provide a link for archival institutions, archivists and records managers across the Commonwealth.
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is the world’s first and oldest international university network, established in 1913.
Association of Emerging Leaders Dialogue
The Association of Emerging Leaders’ Dialogue is an international network of leaders in Business, Labour, Government, and Civil Society who are passionate about developing the capability of future leaders in communities and countries across the Commonwealth.
Association of International Accountants
The Association of International Accountants (AIA) is a global body for professional accountants.
BasicNeeds
BasicNeeds is an international development organisation that was founded in 2000 by Chris Underhill after an initial encounter with tortured and caged mentally ill people within a hospital compound in Africa.
Building Understanding through International links for Development (BUILD)
BUILD is a network of national and international organisations united around a common purpose: namely to realise the potential of people to bring peace, prosperity and justice through twinning partnerships between communities across the globe.
http://build-online.org.uk/jml/about-us
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is an international alliance of members and partners which constitutes an influential network of organisations at the local, national, regional and international levels, and spans the spectrum of civil society.
Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS)
COMSATS was created by developing countries to overcome their common challenges by sharing their strengths. North-South collaboration is essential in achieving desired levels of sustainable socio-economic development in the South. Like-minded leaders and institutions from the South and the North can bring together experience, intellectual resources and scientific expertise to bridge the growing economic gap.
CommonAge
The Commonwealth Association for the Ageing – CommonAge was founded in 2013 in order to promote the interests of older people across the Commonwealth, and to promote the agenda of an all age friendly Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Association for Health and Disability
The Commonwealth Association for Health And Disability is a Pan Commonwealth NGO supported by the Commonwealth Foundation, London and is in Official Relations with WHO
Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM)
CAPAM is a membership organisation dedicated to strengthening public management and consolidating democracy and good governance throughout the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA)
CAA is a membership organisation for institutes representing architects in Commonwealth countries.
Commonwealth Association of Law Reform Agencies (CALRAs)
The Commonwealth Association of Law Reform Agencies (CALRAs) provides capacity-building in law reform, especially through training, reviews, conferences and literature.
Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel (CALC)
The Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel (CALC)'s object is to promote cooperation in matters of professional interest among people in the Commonwealth engaged in legislative drafting or in training people in legislative drafting.
Commonwealth Association of Museums
The Commonwealth Association of Museums (CAM) is an international NGO based in Canada and dedicated to supporting museums and museum workers throughout the 53 countries of the Commonwealth.
http://www.commonwealthassociationofmuseums.org
Commonwealth Association of Paediatrics Gastroenterology and Nutrition
CAPGAN promotes the knowledge of and training in paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition throughout the Commonwealth, but especially among developing countries.
Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP)
CAP seeks to focus and develop the skills of urban and regional planners across the Commonwealth to meet the challenges of urbanisation and the sustainable development of human settlements.
https://www.commonwealth-planners.org
Commonwealth Association of Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME)
CASTME works to advance the social relevance of the teaching of science, technology and mathematics through networking of educators in these subjects in the Commonwealth and promote this through delivering the relevant Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE)
CASLE helps to form and develop professional bodies in its field and set standards for all specialisms in surveying, including: land and marine surveying, quantity surveying, estate management and land economy.
Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA)
The Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) is an Associated Organisation of the Commonwealth. CATA was established in 1978 by a decision of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers.
Commonwealth Boxing Council
Since 1954, the Commonwealth Boxing Council has been responsible for the regulation and sanction of Commonwealth Championships in professional boxing.
Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network
The Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBW) works with women in business by connecting Governments and the private sector to encourage and enable women’s economic empowerment
http://www.cwbusinesswomen.org
Commonwealth Consortium for Education (CCfE)
The objectives of the Consortium are to promote the development of education throughout the Commonwealth by mobilising the contribution of education-based NGOs, and to constitute a forum to promote co-operation among member organisations.
http://www.commonwealtheducation.org
Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management
The CCEAM is an organisation dedicated to fostering cooperative and collaborative exchanges internationally amongst education leadership, administration and management professionals.
Commonwealth Countries’ League (CCL)
The CCL works with civil society to promote the education and advancement of women throughout the Commonwealth as a contributory factor in the alleviation of world poverty.
Commonwealth Dental Association (CDA)
The Commonwealth Dental Association aims to improve dental and oral health in Commonwealth countries, by raising the skills of practitioners and increasing the community’s awareness of the importance of oral health.
Commonwealth Education Trust (CET)
The CET originates from funds subscribed by the citizens of the Commonwealth in 1886. It invests in primary and secondary education and the professional development of teachers throughout their careers.
Commonwealth Engineers Council (CEC)
The CEC links professional engineering institutions of the Commonwealth to foster cooperation and exchange of information, support the development of indigenous engineering institutions, and foster the education, training and professional development of engineers.
Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council
The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) is a not-for-profit membership organisation with a remit from Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote trade, investment and the role of the private sector across the 53 member countries.
Commonwealth Fashion Council
The Commonwealth Fashion Council (CFC) is a not for profit organisation uniting over 20 national fashion councils and weeks from across the Commonwealth Fashion Industries (CFI’s). We deliver programmes in collaboration with our council members. Programmes focus on adding value to fashion industries through advocating development, education, trade, youth and gender empowerment.
http://www.commonwealthfashioncouncil.org
Commonwealth Forestry Association (CFA)
The mission of the CFA is to promote good management, use and conservation of forests and forest lands. Its vision is to promote the wellbeing of the world’s forests and those who benefit from them. Membership is open to nationals of all countries, not just Commonwealth countries.
http://www.cfa-international.org
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)
First held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada, today the Commonwealth Games is the world’s second largest multi-sports event, and the fourth most watched global broadcast sports event. Featuring athletes from 71 nations and territories, the Commonwealth Games has provided some of the most memorable moments in world sport; from England’s Roger Bannister and Australia’s John Landy duelling it out over the ‘Miracle Mile’ at the 1954 Vancouver Games, to Northern Irish boxer Barry McGuigan winning the Gold at the 1978 Edmonton games – instantly becoming a figure of unity to a then divided nation.
Commonwealth Geographical Bureau (CGB)
The CGB promotes interaction among geographers in universities and other institutions in Commonwealth countries by providing information about important activities and supporting participation of geographers at Commonwealth workshops and meetings.
http://www.commonwealthgeography.org/
Commonwealth Girls Education Fund (CGEF)
Since 1967 the CGEF has been sponsoring capable girls in 40 Commonwealth countries where without financial assistance they would be unlikely or unable to continue their secondary schooling.
Commonwealth HIV & AIDS Action Group (CHAAG)
The CHAAG network (originally ‘Para 55’) was established in 2000 to promote and monitor the implementation of Paragraph 55 in the Communiqué issued at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in South Africa in 1999.
Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC)
Founded in 1969 by Zena Daysh, CHEC is accredited to the Commonwealth, has been an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is a Member, IUCN Commission on Education and Communication.
http://www.checinternational.org
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
CHRI is an international NGO that works for the practical realisation of human rights throughout the Commonwealth. It has been headquartered in India since 1993. CHRI also has offices in Ghana and the UK.
http://www.humanrightsinitiative.org/
Commonwealth Jewish Council
The Commonwealth Jewish Council, founded more than 30 years ago, has affiliate members in over 35 countries and territories of the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Journalists Association
The Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) was established in 1978.
http://www.commonwealthjournalists.org
Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute (CJEI)
The CJEI is incorporated as a charity under the laws of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was established to provide support for the creation and strengthening of national judicial education bodies; to encourage regional and pan-Commonwealth networking and exchange of human and material resources; to train core judicial education faculty; to develop programme modules for the use of all Commonwealth countries; and to design judicial education programmes to support judicial reform.
Commonwealth Lawyers Association
The CLA’s objectives are to maintain and promote the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth.
http://www.commonwealthlawyers.com/
Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA)
CLEA fosters and promotes high standards of legal education in the Commonwealth. Its programme of action is designed to make legal education socially relevant and professionally useful.
Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF)
The CLGF works to promote and strengthen democratic local government throughout the Commonwealth and to encourage the exchange of good practice in local government structures and services.
Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA)
The Association was founded in 1970 as the Commonwealth Magistrates' Association and the current name was adopted in 1988.
http://www.cmja.org
Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA)
The main aim of the CMA is to assist and strengthen the capacities of National Medical Associations of countries within the Commonwealth to improve the health and wellbeing of their communities and countries.
http://commonwealthdoctors.org/
Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation
The purpose of the CNF is to contribute to the improved health of citizens of the Commonwealth by fostering access to nursing education, influencing health policy, developing nursing networks and strengthening nursing leadership.
http://www.commonwealthnurses.org/
Commonwealth Organisation for Social Work (COSW)
COSW is an organisation for citizens of the Commonwealth who are interested in promoting and supporting social work and social development. It contributes a social work perspective to Commonwealth activities. It is supported by social work associations in the Commonwealth and has formal links with the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW).
No website
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association links Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff from over 180 national, state, provincial and territorial Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth through its network.
Commonwealth Pharmacists Association
The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) advances health, promotes wellbeing and improves education for the benefit of the people of the Commonwealth.
http://www.commonwealthpharmacy.org/
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO)
The CTO is an international development partnership between Commonwealth governments, non-Commonwealth countries, businesses and civil society organisations.
Commonwealth Trade Union Group
Commonwealth Trade Union Group
http://www.ituc-csi.org/commonwealth/
Commonwealth Veterinary Association
The Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA) is made up of the Commonwealth Veterinary Associations or approved bodies of the most Commonwealth Countries.
http://www.commonwealthvetassoc.com/
Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir (CYO)
The mission of the CYO is to use music as a means of international dialogue, knowing no boundaries.
http://www.commonwealth-music.net
Conference of Commonwealth Meteorologists (CCM)
The Conference of Commonwealth Meteorologists is both a convening and an informal network of the heads of Commonwealth national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHSs). The CCM, which was first established in 1929, gives directors the opportunity to discuss and resolve issues of mutual concern.
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/commonwealth
Conference of Commonwealth Postal Administrators (CCPA)
No website
Corona Worldwide
Corona Worldwide is an organisation for people, principally but not exclusively women, who are living or have lived overseas, or who have an interest in those who have done so.
http://www.coronaworldwide.org
Council for Education in the Commonwealth (CEC)
The Council is a UK Parliament-based nongovernmental organisation in London, which provides a forum for activating interest in and support for education in the Commonwealth.
Forum of Federations
The Forum of Federations is a learning network concerned with promoting intergovernmental learning on governance challenges in multi-level democracies
http://www.forumfed.org/en/index.php
Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)
Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is the largest bookkeeping institute in the world.
https://www.bookkeepers.org.uk/About-Us
Institute of Commonwealth Studies (ICS)
The Institute of Commonwealth Studies is the only postgraduate academic institution in the UK devoted to the study of the history and politics of the Commonwealth and of Commonwealth countries.
International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH)
FIDH is an international NGO defending all civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is the global voice of the world’s working people.
Muslim Aid
A UK-based international relief and development agency, Muslim Aid has been working for over two decades to help save and improve the lives of millions in over 70 of the world’s poorest countries.
NGOs Beyond 2014
NGOsbeyond2014.org is a resource for all stakeholders in the post-2015 development agenda who are interested in sexual and reproductive health and rights, including maternal health, and young people and gender issues..
Pacific Island Association for NGOs
The Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO) is a regional network of NGO focal points or coordinating bodies known as National Liaison Units (NLUs) based in 22 Pacific Island countries and territories.
Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL)
RCEL provides financial assistance to Commonwealth veterans in need who served the Crown and who are resident outside the UK. In 2003 it became the Royal Commonwealth Ex- Services League by order of Queen Elizabeth II.
http://www.commonwealthveterans.org.uk/
Royal Over-Seas League
The Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) is a non-profit Commonwealth private members organisation, committed to supporting international understanding and friendship through social, music, arts and welfare activities.
SightSavers International
Sightsavers is the UK's leading charity working in the developing world to prevent and cure blindness, as well as to promote and support the social inclusion of blind children and adults.
Soroptomist International
Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement working together to transform the lives of women and girls.
http://www.soroptimistinternational.org/
Sound Seekers
Sound Seekers (The Commonwealth Society for the Deaf) delivers practical solutions to support people with hearing loss realise their rights by enabling access to healthcare and education, in some of the poorest communities in the developing world.
http://www.sound-seekers.org.uk/
The Commonwealth Association (COMASSOC)
Membership is drawn from former staff of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Foundation, Commonwealth of Learning and salaried staff from Commonwealth organisations and associations which are accredited.
http://www.comassoc.org/about-us
The Commonwealth Equality Network
Founded in 2013, The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) was established to catalyse the meaningful change needed to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or sex characteristics. The network provides a sustainable platform for LGBTI activists and civil society organisations across the Commonwealth to share expertise, gather evidence, carry out joint advocacy and participate in Commonwealth policy processes.
https://www.commonwealthequality.org
The Commonwealth Resounds
Commonwealth Resounds promotes music and musicians across the Commonwealth through collaborative events worldwide with a particular focus on young people and the developing world.
http://www.commonwealthresounds.com
The Commonwealth Women’s Network (CWN)
The Commonwealth Women’s Network (CWN) brings together women and gender focused civil society organisations from around the Commonwealth.
https://www.facebook.com/commonwealthwomen
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (‘the Award’) enables 14-24-year-olds to learn practical skills that are valuable to their personal and professional development.
The Institute of Certified Management Accountants
Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) is an Australian-based specialist professional body in the areas of management accounting and business analysis. Its objectives are to provide a professional organisation for management accountants and business analysts, and to encourage, disseminate and promote the specialisations in Australian organisations.
The Ramphal Institute
The Ramphal Institute’s mission is to advance knowledge and education in the Commonwealth in social, economic, governance and environmental policy areas for the benefit of both the public and policy makers.
http://www.ramphalinstitute.org
Rotary International
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, community leaders, and
problem-solvers who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities
and around the world. Our differing occupations, cultures, and countries give us a unique
perspective. Our shared passion for service helps us accomplish the remarkable.
The Roundtable
Founded in 1910, The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs has a dual function. First, it is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal, published six times a year.
https://www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk/
The Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC)
The Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC) is a confederation of over fifty leading national and regional Agricultural Show Societies, Agricultural Associations and Research Bodies working in twenty Commonwealth countries.
The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS)
The Royal Commonwealth Society, founded in 1868, is a network of individuals and organisations committed to improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth citizens across the world.
The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS)
Founded in 1891, the Royal Life Saving Society is the Commonwealth drowning prevention organisation. Drowning is one of the biggest causes of preventable death worldwide.
http://www.rlsscommonwealth.org
Transparency International
Transparency International is the global movement against corruption. With more than 100 national chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, we work with partners in government, business and civil society to put effective measures in place to tackle corruption.