The modern Commonwealth of Nations has evolved as an international partnership of countries dedicated to co-operation and governed by mutual respect. Today, it is an international family of 53 member countries spread through Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, The Mediterranean, North America and the Pacific. Its 1.7 billion people are over a quarter of the world’s population. Over half are young people aged 25 or under. 

Equality, justice and democracy are the core beliefs of the Commonwealth. They are reflected in the decisions by Commonwealth Heads of Government and their ministers who meet regularly, and in the activities of the various Commonwealth organisations and agencies. 

Every year, on the second Monday in March, the Commonwealth - its beliefs, principles and diversity of peoples and cultures – is celebrated on Commonwealth Day. Governments, Commonwealth organisations and schools participate in events to pay tribute to this special partnership of nations and peoples and the ideals they hold in common. 

The modern Commonwealth evolved out of Britain’s imperial past. Today, it helps to advance democracy, human rights, and sustainable economic and social development in an integrated way. With English as a common working language and similar systems of law, public administration and education, the Commonwealth has become a vibrant and growing association of states, sensitive to the modern world yet mindful of its historical links.