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The Commonwealth at 75

The modern Commonwealth of Nations was established in 1949 with the signing of the London Declaration. Since then, the global association has provided a platform for shared values, the exchange of ideas, intergovernmental co-operation and beneficial business relations between its growing number of member states. To commemorate the family of nation’s 75th anniversary, the History of Parliament Trust tasked us with producing a campaign, spanning print, film and digital, celebrating the decades of leadership, challenge and joint endeavour that the Commonwealth embodies.

We worked with the Trust and a wide range of Commonwealth accredited organisations, such as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, to produce The Commonwealth at 75, a comprehensive account of the Commonwealth’s origins and evolution up to the present day. From Australia to Antigua, Cameroon to Canada, the Commonwealth is a remarkable international organisation that spans a vast breadth of countries and cultures. It exists to foster international unity, trade links and educational connections between people the world over.

Featuring expert opinion from some of the world’s leading academics experts and institutions, this project embodied the Commonwealth’s spirit of collaboration, bringing voices from around the globe together to mark the organisation’s milestone anniversary.

Publishing

Researched and written by a select team of leading academics and award-winning authors, The Commonwealth at 75 is a far-reaching, fully illustrated exploration of the history, impact and ongoing significance of the family of nations. Created in partnership with the History of Parliament Trust, this in-depth book celebrates examples of collective achievement and progress across the Commonwealth. It also marks a significant moment of renewal, with the appointment of King Charles III as the Head of the Commonwealth.

Film

A highlight of the 75th anniversary campaign was its inspiring, thought-provoking documentary, charting the story of the Commonwealth’s origins, values and evolution. We also produced a series of bespoke short films, celebrating organisations and individuals from across the globe whose work embodies the Commonwealth spirit. Spanning a host of sectors, from education to health, finance to sustainability, these videos showcased stories of human ingenuity and shared purpose, presenting examples of excellence the world over.

Digital

To ensure the Commonwealth campaign reached the widest international audience possible, we created a comprehensive suite of digital tools to accompany the anniversary project. At the heart of this online offering is the Commonwealth at 75 website, which provides a central hub for the campaign’s content, including films, articles and news. Additional elements included an e-book edition of the main publication and a selection of engaging, social media-savvy reels, posts and marketing resources.

View digital work

Events

The historic Cloisters of Westminster Abbey provided the suitably inspiring setting for the project’s launch event. Welcoming more than 500 guests from across the Commonwealth, the evening brought together influential leaders, High Commissioners and industry pioneers united in a shared purpose. Addresses from Canon Anthony Ball, Lord Marland of Odstock and former Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith CD elevated the occasion, which culminated in a stirring, specially commissioned musical performance by The Commonwealth Resounds.

Client voices

In their words

“The St James’s House team’s professional approach helped to communicate the CTO’s story clearly and effectively. Their expertise made the process smooth, ensuring that they captured the essence of the CTO.”
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation
“Working with St James’s House was extremely worthwhile – a must for any organisation wishing to further expand their existing profile or wishing to network with likeminded bodies.”
Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth