"Our studies make a compelling case for Leaders at their forthcoming meeting in Perth, to formulate a cooperative programme of action which can yield meaningful and positive responses in an area of great importance to all member states".

The Hon. PJ Patterson; former Prime Minister of Jamaica (1992-2006) and Chairman of the Ramphal Institute. 

The Ramphal Institute

Launched in 2008, as the Ramphal Centre, the Institute is a unique organisation, designed to operate as an independent intellectual hub on policy issues for the Commonwealth and its 54 member states, as well as for the wider world. It aims to provide, through the facilitation of high quality analysis, innovative ideas to assist member states in their efforts to meet the environmental, developmental and governance challenges of the 21st Century. It will ask qualified persons, working through a series of expert Commissions and representing the diversity of the Commonwealth, to develop ideas which can be adapted by the Commonwealth and the wider international community.

Ramphal Institute Mission

The Ramphal Institute is an independent organisation for the research and the promotion of solutions to issues of special concern to the Commonwealth and its 54 member states. The Ramphal Institute believes:

That sustainable development and international cooperation will become even more crucial in the 21^st century;

That the renewal of the Commonwealth as a creative force,harnessing

the efforts of its peoples and governments, will make a seminal

contribution to the global community;

That the achievements/approach of Sir Shridath Ramphal,

Commonwealth Secretary General, 1975 – 1990, can inspire and  

stimulate the Commonwealth and its partners to fulfil their potential;

That the convening power of the Commonwealth is one of its unique

strengths.

Ramphal Institute Vision

A Commonwealth which is a more significant and pioneering force in

meeting the global environmental and governance challenges of the

21st century.

The Ramphal Institute's approach is: 

To recruit senior Commonwealth personalities, backed by excellent

research to recommend practical programmes of benefit

to Commonwealth countries in priority areas of concern;

To utilise its advocacy networks to promote these programmes;

To influence action at intergovernmental and governmental level and

to collaborate innovatively with governments, private sector, civil

society and Disaporas. 

The Programme

The core activity of the Institute will be to carry out policy studies of the highest quality. The Institute programme will focus on four main areas of interest: societies, economies, environment and governance. The Institute is supported by a distinguished list of leaders, academics and internationalists who have agreed to be Patrons

 Please click here for documents relating to: The Ramphal Commission on Migration and Development

Ramphal Collaborations

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation 

The Ramphal Institute, with the assistance of the Commonwealth Foundation, is entering into a new partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. Details of a new programme of study will be available in May.

The Institute has worked with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation on a significant and dynamic study on the role of diasporas to the food security and development of countries of origin. Through analysis of eight Commonwealth countries the study reflects the increasing recognition of diasporas in the migration-development nexus.

This collaboration built on the Ramphal Commission on Migration and Development findings, which highlights the need and benefits of engaging with diasporas. In an increasingly mobile world this remains a key challenge to governments and one which the Ramphal Institute remains committed to.

Synthesis of findings from technical evaluation - July 2011
Migration, rural development, poverty and food security: a comparative perspective by Thomas Lacroix 2011 

FAO partnership with the Ramphal Centre

United Nations Population Division; Department of Economic and Social Affairs

In February 2012 the Ramphal Institute was invited to participate in the Tenth Annual Coordination meeting on International Migration, at the UN Headquarters in New York. 

The meeting was a preparatory consultation ahead of the Global Forum on Migration and Development, which will take place in Mauritius in November 2012. The two day dialogue was open to civil society bodies, governments and UN entities operating in the area of migration, in an effort to increase harmonisation in the field. The coordination meeting is also an important preparatory activity for the High Level Dialogue on International Migration in 2013.

Click here to read the meeting objectives. Please click here to view our submission paper. 

The Commonwealth Secretariat.

In April this year the Ramphal Institute is presenting its work to the Commonwealth Advisory Council on Teacher Mobility. The Council has indicated an interest in the reception of the Ramphal Commission's work at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth in October 2011. 

  Diaspora opportunities for trade, remittances and investment 

On 11 July 2011 The Ramphal Institute and The African and Caribbean Chamber of Commerce London, (ACCCE) held a series of panel discussions on generating practical steps that businesses and governments can take to engage diasporas in the economic development of home countries, particularly through trade and investment. Please visit our 'events'  for more information. 

The findings of the consultation are consolidated in the report here: Diaspora Consultation: a Future for Diaspora Engagement by Alasdair Ambroziak and Anna Kotenko