Civil society groups lobby Commonwealth leaders

Advocacy groups from Commonwealth member countries have been pushing for the agenda to be heavily focused on issues raised in a Civil Society Statement.

The Statement will form the basis for discussion at the Commonwealth People's Forum in Perth held just days before the CHOGM.

Producing the Statement included a series of regional consultations, with Australia represented at the one focused on the Pacific region.

Director of the Commonwealth Foundation Danny Sriskandarajah told Aileen Phillips tackling human rights, indigenous peoples and gender equity issues will be among the top priorities in Perth.