Hosted by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation and the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, this seminar featured Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon and encouraged thoughtful discussion on the role of the Commonwealth Secretariat in promoting democratic practices, good governance, and respect for human rights. The Commonwealth is an association of 1.8 billion people from 53 international states united to encourage international understanding and world peace. Secretary-General McKinnon addressed:

• Solutions for building strategic partnerships with international organizations and civil society;
• The importance of establishing a fair, rules-based multilateral trading system; and
• The need for developed countries to reduce agricultural subsidies, giving developing countries a fair chance to trade their way out of poverty.

Read a transcript of Secretary-General McKinnon's speech here