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Background
The Commonwealth is a uniquely diverse group of nations with shared values and
a powerful voice. It represents all corners of the globe with a population of 2.4 billion
and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. It is home to 12% of the
world's researchers and accounts for around 10% of global research and development expenditure.
With an estimated 60% of its population under the age of 30, the Commonwealth
is set to play an ever more important role in the world's future - a future
that will present many challenges where science can identify solutions.
The origin of Commonwealth Chemistry, the Federation of Commonwealth Chemical Sciences Societies,
goes back to 2018, when over 30 societies from
different Commonwealth countries came together to discuss the value of forming a federation.
The group agreed that the one thing that brings such a diverse grouping of countries together
was a commitment to the values and principles of the Commonwealth.
Tolerance, respect and understanding, gender equality, supporting young people
and recognising the needs of small and vulnerable states are all vital to achieving its goals.
These principles are reflected in the vision statement of Commonwealth Chemistry:
One community, one voice, catalysing equality for all. Equal and inclusive representation
from all Commonwealth nations with the recognition that those with greater resources
will contribute more in order to support those with fewer resources.
Objects and Guiding Principles of Commonwealth Chemistry
The current Objects of Commonwealth Chemistry under its Articles of Association are to:
- be an effective and inclusive voice for practitioners of the chemical sciences in the Commonwealth
and to speak out as a single cohesive group for collective benefit;
- support all practitioners of the chemical sciences in the Commonwealth, and encourage and facilitate the sharing of best practice;
- drive innovation and promote excellence in the chemical sciences in the Commonwealth,
including in education and practice, and support translational research to elevate
the relevance of chemical sciences to society, influencing key decision makers
and creating wider economic and societal benefits; and
- foster scientific collaborations and promote and enable researcher mobility
and access to research infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
The first Commonwealth Chemistry Congress, which was to be held during May 2020
in Trinidad and Tobago, was built on highlighting diversity in speakers and attendees.
All Commonwealth countries were invited to participate and to
nominate three early career chemists to attend so as to present their work
and network with potential collaborators and peers. Measures were in place to
ensure at least 30% of speakers, chairs and attendees would be women,
with an equal distribution of representation of the Commonwealth regions.
Then Covid-19 hit, and the event was postponed. But the executive board was
agile and true to Commonwealth Chemistry's vision. It quickly organised
a three day online event to allow early career chemists to still share their research,
network and engage in scientific debate around six themes aligned with the
UN Sustainable Development Goals. The event was a huge success: 226 delegates
from 40 countries participated, 112 of which were early career chemists and
around half of which were women. Despite being developed at short notice,
the meeting achieved the aims so effectively that it is expected to become an annual event.
On the 20th April 2021 we were informed that the CASJ Chemistry Division was approved
as the local member society representing Commonwealth Chemistry in Jamaica.
The Inaugural
Commonwealth Chemistry Congress (CCC)
took place online from 18-20 May 2021 and a view of a snippet of this is
available.
Commonwealth Chemistry Secretariat
Royal Society of Chemistry
Thomas Graham House,
Science Park,
Milton Road,
Cambridge,
CB4 0WF
UK
CASJ appointed Dr Marvadeen Singh-Wilmot as their liaison officer to Commonwealth Chemistry.