Frequently (Un)Asked Questions

So we'll ask on YOUR behalf! XD

What should I wear?

“Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy:
For the apparel oft proclaims the man..."

-- Hamlet, I.iii

As the head of a government in a formal international meeting, you will need to dress your part! For guys, suit with ties is asked, although we do not encourage your purchasing a suit if you do not have one already. For ladies, formal business attire, as determined by you, will be acceptable.

All in all, just avoid jeans, sneakers, and sweats. You'll look out-of-place in the CHOGM chamber.

Where will I eat?

Food will be provided by the UBC Commonwealth Club (yay!). This includes two pizza lunches. We will also have a formal banquet at the end of our Conference, which will also serve as the award ceremony. You can expect the best of the best from all regions of Commonwealth for the Banquet!

Having said that, we do not discourage delegates from bringing snacks, just in case.

What will I be doing all weekend?

We will engage in a variety of activities during the Conference.

You will have lots of opportunities to learn about the world issues during one of our famous workshops and activities geared towards learning-by-experience. This will occur throughout the conference, as a parallel session to the CHOGM.

You will also hear from a number of speakers about important issues. We have not yet confirmed our speakers, but you can hold your expectation high as we have traditionally had many high-profile speakers. This year will be no exception.

Last, but not least, we will hold the CHOGM sessions. You will be discussing the most important issues of the world facing the Commonwealth nations.

On Saturday night, we will engage in a social activity. Exact details are TBA!

What do I need to bring?

 - Resolution! - Must be submitted as you check-in on Friday!

 - Delegate Waiver and Emergency Contact form and Payment (if you have not already done so)

 - Research Notes - unless you have a photographic memory, this is highly recommended. After all, you need facts to support your argument!

 - A small notepad - during CHOGM, you can communicate with other delegates via "notes". This will serve you well. Don't worry if you don't have one; we will have a pile of scrap paper ready for your convenience and delight!

 - a bottle of water (or $1.75 for the vending machine)

 - snack/food - you never know when a bag of M&Ms will come in handy. Intense debating, I swear, burns calories like there's no tomorrow!

Is this Conference competitive?

We like to think that it isn’t. The Conference is designed to give you the opportunity to learn about the Commonwealth, explore the world of foreign affairs and experience the processes of negotiation and building consensus. We want you to feel free to relax, enjoy the weekend and walk away knowing that participating in the Conference with a bunch of other students from across BC was its own reward.

Having said that, the best delegates will be receiving a recognition from the UBC Commonwealth Club. Traditionally, the top two delegates were invited to participate in the National Students Commonwealth Forum (a full-week conference in Ottawa), but due to logistical reasons, we cannot send any delegates to the NSCF. Next year, we will be sure to send top two delegates.

Some advice on how to win the award!

 - Represent your country well, no matter how big or small your country is. Remember: size doesn't matter in CHOGM as all decisions must meet unanimous support.

 - Thorough knowledge in your country's foreign policy - do not express your own beliefs; represent only your country's point of view, no matter how morally wrong they may be. This is part of the diplomat's job.

 - Understand that this is a formal debate: informal language will not be looked upon kindly.

 - Diplomacy - reaching consensus is key to a successful CHOGM session. Try to accommodate everyone's needs by approaching the problem in a structured manner. Perhaps a compromise is in order?

 - Play the part - you are either the Head of your government or the Foreign Minister. It's cool to be one of those, so you are permitted to employ all your charms and charisma! If you can't argue your way to consensus, charm your way! XD

Now that I’m aware of the Commonwealth, where can I learn more about it?

The Commonwealth’s official website, at [http://www.thecommonwealth.org], contains lots of great information on what the Commonwealth’s proceedings and its role in the modern world.

The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) maintains a page called “Canada and the Commonwealth” at [http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/foreign_policy/commonwealth/menu-en.asp]. This website is a great place to explore Canada’s role in the Commonwealth, specifically, as well as to review general information about the Commonwealth and all its organizations.

In 2005, a real Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – just like the ones you will participate in – was held in Malta. The website for that CHOGM, which contains a detailed description of the discussions that took place, can be found at [http://www.chogm2005.mt/].

Here in Vancouver, we are proud to be the home of the only Commonwealth organization that is headquartered outside of the United Kingdom: the Commonwealth of Learning. Their website, at [http://www.col.org], provides information on their programs and services.