RCS International Network Proposal

The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) was founded in 1868 as a learned literary and scientific body. The first international branch was established in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1913. RCS Vancouver Island was founded in 1919 and RCS Victoria in 1921. According to the RCS website there are now 48 active branches on all five continents.

Due to financial problems, the RCS downsized its operations in 2013 from a membership society to a registered charity focusing on three policy areas: literacy, equality and the environment. Prior to this the society had staff to co-ordinate the activities of the international network but no longer have the resources to perform this function.

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Over the last few years there has been an increasing disconnect with London, who bypass the branches on projects and appoint regional coordinators and associate fellows who have no connection with the branches. A recent example is London’s failure to publicize the RCS Conference in Edmonton on either its website or newsletter. At the same time, the Commonwealth Secretariat has expressed interest in the international network as ‘boots on the ground’ with the financial resources to help promote Commonwealth events and policies internationally.

Over the last few decades the active international branches have organized many events in the fields of education, culture, charity and sports to promote Commonwealth values and friendship between people of different cultures. There has been a particular emphasis on youth affairs and more recently on intra-Commonwealth trade. Branches have also organized RCS Conferences in South Australia (2017), Hong Kong (2019), Singapore (2023), Kuala Lumpur (2024) and Victoria (2025).

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According to the Commonwealth model, RCS London should be an equal member of the network, although there is the issue of brand and Royal Patronage which in some cases derives from the Royal Charter, although some branches (e.g. RCS Edmonton) hold independent Royal Patronage granted during a Royal Visit in 2005. Other branches, especially those in republics, have given up the ‘Royal’ title.

In order to address the present lack of co-ordination of the international branches (following London’s withdrawal from this role) and to bring the branches closer to the day-to-day business of the modern Commonwealth, it is proposed that the position of Co-ordinator, RCS International Network be established, initially for a period of three years. This would be an unpaid voluntary position and would require someone with extensive knowledge of RCS, its branches and the Commonwealth in general. 

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It is also proposed that a new organizational structure be established for the running of the RCS International Network by a board of (say) five trustees to be elected by all active branches and serving for a term of three years. The Board of Trustees, together with the Co-ordinator, would provide strategic leadership, operational stability and promote Commonwealth values and policies.

The Conference is asked to endorse in principle the above proposals and to elect a steering committee to implement the recommendations as quickly as possible.