The Queen urged world leaders to ensure women played a full part in their societies as she opened thesummit of Commonwealth countries yester-day.
The monarch’s comments came at the start of the major meeting in Australia where politicians are expected to clash over proposed changes to the so-called Family of Nations.
Prime Ministers and Presidents from 53 member states will debate a report from the Commonwealth Eminent Persons’ Group – tasked with making the institution more relevant – which has recommended a commissioner to police human rights in the Commonwealth be established.
Britain, Australia and Canada are leading the campaign for the new post, but they face strong opposition from countries like Sri Lanka, South Africa and Uganda, which see the move as too intrusive in their domestic affairs.
The report also proposes that homosexuality should be legalised in all member states where it is outlawed – an idea likely to fiercely resisted by some nations, especially in Africa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Perth, the Queen thanked the EPG – whose British member is Sir Malcolm Rifkind – and looked ahead to the discussions of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting this weekend.
Queen Elizabeth said: “I wish Heads of Government well in agreeing further reforms that respond boldly to the aspirations of today and that keep the Commonwealth fit and fresh for tomorrow.
“In these deliberations we should not forget that this is an association not only of governments but also of peoples. This is what makes it so relevant in this age of global information and communication.
The Queen, who is head of the Commonwealth, added: “The theme this year is Women As Agents of Change. It reminds us of the potential in our societies that is yet to be fully unlocked, and it encourages us to find ways to allow all girls and women to play their full part.
“We must continue to strive in our own countries and across the Commonwealth together to promote that theme in a lasting way beyond this year.”
Commonwealth leaders are expected to agree historic changes to the 300-year-old laws of royal succession to enable a first-born daughter to ascend the throne ahead of her brothers.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has described giving male heirs priority in the line to the throne as “outdated and wrong”.
Speaking about the possibility of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge having a child, the Prime Minister said after his plane landed in Perth: “I think the time has come to change the rules so that if the royal couple have a girl rather than a boy, then that little girl would be our queen. That’s the rule we want to change.”
During the opening ceremony, the world leaders gathered on a stage in the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre with the Queen at their forefront along with the host, Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
The politicians and statesmen received an Aboriginal welcome from elders of the Nyungar people – the original inhabitants of the region surrounding Perth.
The Commonwealth itself has acknowledged it has reached a crucial period in its 62-year history – adapt to a changing world or become an irrelevance.
Global organisations like the G8 group of leading industrialised countries and the European Union are increasingly seen as having a higher profile and providing more leadership.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group – which deals with serious or persistent violations of the institution’s fundamental political values – has also been looking at ways to improve its effectiveness and has produced a report.
Commonwealth secretary general Kamalesh Sharma highlighted the task ahead for the world leaders.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, he said: “If there is one rich vein of inspiration that must animate all of us in the days ahead, it is renewal and reform in order to be resilient and relevant.