One Word, 56 Nations: Commonwealth Launches Creative Quilt Initiative Ahead Of CHOGM 2026

By Robert Andre Emmanuel

“Thread—a simple word but with many meanings. Dancers thread movements between bodies. Musicians thread melodies through rhythms. Storytellers thread narratives through time… What thread do you bring to the Commonwealth”

That was the key message from Commonwealth Foundation Programme Officer Madiha Hussein-Jetha as she unveiled the prompt for the Commonwealth People’s Forum ‘How to Make a Commonwealth Quilt’ initiative.

The initiative, announced at the forum launch on Tuesday March 3 challenges citizens across all 56 member states to respond to a single creative prompt — “Thread” — as part of an effort to build the first ever Commonwealth Quilt ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026.

Hussein-Jetha said the initiative is open to all Commonwealth citizens regardless of age, background or skill level, with submissions accepted across a range of creative formats including visual art, photography, short film, poetry, prose, song, rap, spoken word and dance.

Organisations and collectives may also submit with participants under 18 require parental or guardian consent.

Commonwealth Foundation Director General Razmi Farook said creativity is the most resilient tool available in an unpredictable world.

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“Creativity transforms minds and communicates stories. It really engages hearts and minds,” Farook said, adding that the initiative aims to bring hope and unity at a time of global anxiety.

She later added that the initiative would challenge attendees to think how creativity help us to lift our heads and to find solutions, challenge us in terms of understanding the urgency of climate change and give voice to issues around freedom of expression?

Up to three submissions from each of the Commonwealth’s five regions will be selected to receive a £200 award, with those works featured in a physical multimedia exhibition in Antigua and Barbuda during the People’s Forum.

All accepted submissions will form part of a virtual Commonwealth Quilt to be launched online ahead of the forum.

Submissions open on Commonwealth Day on March 9, with the full virtual quilt set to launch by November 2026.