Introducing members 55 & 56: Gabon and Togo

We, Perception Live, are lucky to partner with many historic, grade-listed venues. We provide scalable and trusted audio-visual production & event support. One of those partnerships aligns us with the Commonwealth Secretariat at their headquarters. Marlborough House. Since 2019, it has been a privilege to see the work they do and the people they help. Recently, we helped introduce the Commonwealth Secretariats’ newest members – Gabon and Togo – bringing the total number of member nations up to 56.

In a rather busy week at Marlborough House. We produced 2 flag-raising ceremonies welcoming Gabon and Togo, as well as celebrating two incredible Black Lives Matter events for Black History Month.

Focusing in on the new members, both flag-raising ceremonies were hosted in the house gardens within a clearspan marquee for clear visibility of the flags on top of Marlborough House. They were equipped with SDI linked 55” screens to showcase the best of both countries’ trade presentations. A 4x speaker sound system provided crystal clear audio inside the marquee for content playback and the all-important anthem. We also added 2 x Outdoor speakers for video playback and each Anthem.

As with every event, in any venue, space or country we work in. As much as we try, getting the final version of content is always an uphill battle. With these events, getting a quality, official format of the national anthem seemed the biggest battle to overcome, but as usual persistence prevailed, and a little help from Google and a well-known social media messaging app.

The Commonwealth is an international organisation spanning every geographical region, religion, and culture. It is a voluntary association of 56 independent counties, almost all of which were formerly under British rule. The Commonwealth exists to foster international cooperation and trade links around the world.

India was the first of many countries which decided that they still wanted to remain within the Commonwealth. After achieving independence, they wanted to remain in the Commonwealth and become a republic.

To reconcile these aims, the 1949 London Declaration recognised King George VI as Head of the Commonwealth. Following his death, the Commonwealth leaders recognised Queen Elizabeth II in that capacity. The role of the Head of the Commonwealth is not hereditary. After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, His Majesty the King became Head of the Commonwealth. This was a unanimous decision made by Commonwealth leaders in 2018.

After 70 years of its existence, it remains a major force for change in the world today.

Neither Gabon nor Togo have historic connections with the Commonwealth. They both gained independence from France in the 1960s. So why did they want to join the Commonwealth?

An Op-Ed written in August 2022 by The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth explains:

“By joining the Commonwealth, Gabon and Togo will now have the opportunity to be part of critical discussions and a mutually supportive community of independent and sovereign states, aided by over 40 technical assistance tools and more than 80 Commonwealth organisations.

I am thrilled with the addition of these two vibrant countries to our family – a tight-knit family based on the certainty that no matter what challenges we face, the Commonwealth always comes together to face them as one. We leave no one behind. This, I believe, is what makes the Commonwealth special.”

Neither Gabon nor Togo have historic connections with the Commonwealth. They both gained independence from France in the 1960s. So why did they want to join the Commonwealth?

An Op-Ed * written in August 2022 by The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth explains:

“By joining the Commonwealth, Gabon and Togo will now have the opportunity to be part of critical discussions and a mutually supportive community of independent and sovereign states, aided by over 40 technical assistance tools and more than 80 Commonwealth organisations.

I am thrilled with the addition of these two vibrant countries to our family – a tight-knit family based on the certainty that no matter what challenges we face, the Commonwealth always comes together to face them as one. We leave no one behind. This, I believe, is what makes the Commonwealth special.”