We are delighted to invite you to an upcoming webinar featuring distinguished Pacific leader John Loau, Chair of the Pacific Blues, who will share invaluable insights on Pacific leadership in today’s global landscape. This timely discussion is particularly relevant for our Samoan community and Pacific Island nations.

This webinar highlights the vibrant fashion heritage of Sierra Leone and the rise of eco-conscious design. Sierra Leone boasts a rich textile tradition with handwoven cloth and batik designs providing livelihoods for many artisans, particularly women.Despite challenges like insufficient infrastructure, training, and access to sustainable materials, designers and entrepreneurs are shifting towards eco-conscious practices. Trippies Clothing, founded by Denise King, exemplifies this movement with its commitment to sustainable African fashion.Founded in 2016, Trippies specializes in hand-dyed batik clothing, responsibly blending tradition with environmental consciousness. The brand works with interns and local artisans, empowering them through training and participation in national and international workshops. Despite hurdles such as funding and production challenges, Trippies is committed to promoting African culture and establishing its unique identity within Sierra Leone's evolving fashion industry.Denise King emphasized the need for government support, infrastructure improvements, and increased access to ethical and sustainable materials. The webinar underscores the positive role local fashion initiatives can play in empowering communities, preserving heritage, and fostering international collaboration.

In the recent webinar "Empowering Travel for All," Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce Chair, Julia Charlton, hosted Simon Sansome, founder of the Snowball Community, an app designed to rate and review venues based on accessibility. The discussion highlighted the prevalence of disability, affecting 1.3 billion people globally, and the significant barriers faced, particularly in terms of transportation and societal attitudes.Simon shared the remarkable milestones of Snowball, which has grown to almost 100,000 reviews, and his recognition in the UK as an influential advocate for accessibility. The app’s expansion plans include hiring 45 staff members as consultants and developing features like a filter system to enhance user experience. Simon's achievements were further recognized with awards like the SantanderX Global Award, and his recent participation at a major tech event in Barcelona opened global networking opportunities.While planning global expansion, Simon discussed the technical and linguistic adaptations required, particularly in Spain, with endorsements from major entities like Santander. The Snowball Community app is positioned to drive societal change, not just for people with disabilities, but also for older adults who face accessibility challenges. Simon's inspiration comes from his personal experiences and the drive to improve life for individuals with disabilities, underscoring a message that accessibility benefits all in society.

In this enlightening fireside chat hosted by the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, Dr. James Han Boon Kong shares his remarkable experiences from a recent volunteer surgical mission to Butare, Rwanda with Global Clinic, a Singapore-based nonprofit. Dr. Kong, an esteemed surgeon with over four decades of experience, offers valuable insights into healthcare challenges in underserved communities and the importance of capacity building in developing nations. Dr. Kong's narrative takes us on a journey from his early career in Hong Kong to his volunteer work in Myanmar and Rwanda. He emphasizes the significance of invitation, local collaboration, and leadership in successful capacity-building efforts. Through anecdotes and personal reflections, Dr. Kong illustrates the complexities of providing medical care in resource-limited settings and the rewards of international medical volunteerism. Key Highlights: • Overview of Global Clinic's mission and impact in underserved communities • Insights into Rwanda's healthcare challenges and recent progress • Dr. Kong's experiences in capacity building in Myanmar following Cyclone Nargis • Development of emergency medicine training programs in Myanmar • Challenges and successes of the surgical mission in Butare, Rwanda • Importance of cultural sensitivity and adapting to local conditions • Discussion of public health issues, including the coin-swallowing incidents in Rwanda • Dr. Kong's family background in medicine and his journey to becoming a surgeon • Transition from clinical practice to health informatics and capacity building • Reflections on the rewards and challenges of international medical volunteerism This inspiring conversation not only showcases Dr. Kong's dedication to improving global healthcare but also highlights the power of individual action in creating lasting change. It serves as a call to action for medical professionals and a reminder of the ongoing need for healthcare capacity building in developing nations.

Welcome to the recording of our enlightening webinar on digital accessibility, featuring SaralX, an innovative Indian startup dedicated to breaking down barriers and promoting inclusive design. Hosted by Julia Charlton, chair of the Commonwealth Chamber, this session delves into the importance of making digital assets accessible to individuals with disabilities—a global population of around 600 million people, as highlighted by UN statistics. In this webinar, we explore the transformative potential of inclusive design and its capacity to create seamless user experiences for people with diverse abilities. Our esteemed speaker, Akashdeep Bansal, the visionary founder of SaralX, shares his personal journey and the mission of his company. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, Akashdeep has dedicated his life to enhancing accessibility through technology. Key Highlights: • Understanding Accessibility: Learn what accessibility means and why it's crucial for digital platforms. • Types of Disabilities: Discover the four main categories of disabilities—vision, hearing, locomotor, and neural. • Assistive Technologies: Explore the tools and techniques used by individuals with disabilities to interact with digital content. • Challenges and Solutions: Understand the common barriers to accessibility and how to overcome them. • WCAG Guidelines: Get familiar with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and their importance in creating accessible digital content. Akashdeep also provides practical insights into the socio-economic impact of excluding people with disabilities and how inclusive design can benefit organizations and society as a whole. He emphasizes the importance of creating digital platforms that are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, ensuring they are accessible to everyone. Watch this recording to gain a deeper understanding of digital accessibility and learn how to make your digital assets more inclusive. Let’s work together to empower every user and create a more accessible digital world.

Explore the inspiring journey of Fabraex, a budding Bangladeshi fashion brand blending cultural heritage with contemporary style. Founded by visionary Fahim Khandkar and led by CEO Saklain bin Salim, Fabraex is a young startup empowering individuals to embrace their authentic identities through fashion. Bangladesh's textile and clothing industry is a vital economic pillar, accounting for over 80% of exports as the world's second-largest readymade garment exporter after China. With the domestic fashion and lifestyle market worth around $5 billion and the rise of e-commerce and influencers, the industry presents new opportunities and challenges. In this webinar, gain insights into Fabraex's remarkable journey as the founders share their design philosophy, challenges faced, and vision for the future. Discover how this brand harmoniously blends vibrant contemporary aesthetics with the timeless allure of cultural traditions, crafting a unique sartorial experience for the modern generation. Key Highlights: – Design Philosophy: Learn about Fabraex's unique blend of modern trends with traditional elements. – Sustainability Commitment: Understand their dedication to sustainable and ethical practices in the textile industry. – Market Insights: Explore the challenges and opportunities in the Bangladeshi fashion market. – E-commerce and Social Media: Discover how the rise of online platforms and influencers is driving fashion industry growth. – Empowering Individuality: See how Fabraex is helping individuals express themselves through customizable fashion. – Strategic Business Model: Get insights into Fabraex's business strategies and future plans for local and global markets. – Cultural Preservation: Appreciate their efforts to celebrate and preserve Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage. The discussion delves into Fabraex's design philosophy, their strategic business model, and the impact of their innovative practices on the local and potentially global market. Gain insights into how the rise of e-commerce platforms and social media influencers is driving growth in the fashion sector. Understand the significance of sustainable and ethical practices in the textile industry and how Fabraex plans to navigate and lead this evolving landscape. This webinar is perfect for fashion enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the intersection of tradition and contemporary style.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy on the crucial lessons learned from Sri Lanka's recent economic crisis. Hosted by the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Royal Commonwealth Society in Sri Lanka, this fireside chat delves into the depths of the country's financial struggles and the path to recovery. Dr. Coomaraswamy, with his extensive 30-year background in economic policy and research, shares his expert insights into how the country can move towards macroeconomic stability and sustained growth. As the former governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, he has firsthand experience navigating through economic turbulence and offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by the nation. The IMF's 2023 report projects a hopeful growth for Sri Lanka's GDP in 2024, and Dr. Coomaraswamy's optimistic outlook reinforces the potential for positive change. This discussion also features valuable contributions from Mr. Aziz, president of the Royal Commonwealth Society Sri Lanka, who discusses the organization's role and vision for the country. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Sri Lanka's economic landscape and the strategies that could pave the way for its revival.

The webinar, "Empowering Travel for All - A Fireside Chat with Snowball Community Founder Simon Sansome" was hosted by Julia Charlton, Chairman of the Commonwealth Chamber. Simon Sansome, the founder of Snowball Community, shared his story of becoming disabled in 2014 and how it led him to create the Ability Access Facebook page, which grew into the most read disability page worldwide. He then founded Snowball Community, a global disability app, which is the largest disability app in the world and a review platform for disabled access. The app also directs users to their destination and has the biggest disability database for government and businesses. The app has received numerous awards and has been growing rapidly, with plans to expand globally. Sansome also discussed the challenges faced by travelers with disabilities and the importance of improved accessibility for all. He shared his vision for creating a future where everyone can experience the personal growth, cultural exchange, and human connection that travel facilitates. The webinar highlighted the importance of empowering travel for all and the positive impact that improved accessibility can have on individuals and communities.