1965 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 14th Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference
Host country	United Kingdom
Dates	17–25 June 1965
Cities	London
Participants	21
Chair	Harold Wilson (Prime Minister)
Follows	1964
Precedes	January 1966
Key points
Commonwealth peace initiative to Vietnam, race relations, Rhodesia, Southern Africa, Cyprus, Commonwealth Secretariat

The 1965 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference was an important meeting of leaders from countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. It was the 14th time these leaders gathered. The meeting took place in the United Kingdom in June 1965. Harold Wilson, who was the Prime Minister of the UK at the time, was the host.

At this meeting, the leaders talked about many big issues. They agreed to a plan for the Commonwealth to try and help bring peace in Vietnam. They also decided to create a new office called the Commonwealth Secretariat. This office would help the Commonwealth countries work together better. A Canadian named Arnold Smith became the very first leader of this new office.

What Was Discussed at the Meeting?

The leaders discussed several important topics during the conference. They talked about the difficult situation in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). They also discussed how to improve relations with South Africa and the Portuguese colonies in Africa.

Working for Equality

A very important part of the meeting was about making sure everyone is treated fairly, no matter their race. The Commonwealth leaders strongly agreed that all countries in the Commonwealth should work towards societies where everyone has equal rights. This was a big step towards fighting against unfair treatment based on race.

Views on the Vietnam War

Another topic was the Vietnam War. Some countries in the Commonwealth, especially those from Asia and Africa, did not agree with the support that the UK, Australia, and New Zealand were giving to the United States in the war. This showed that even within the Commonwealth, countries could have different views on global events.

Who Attended the Conference?

Leaders from 21 different Commonwealth countries came to the meeting in London. These leaders included Prime Ministers, Presidents, and other important government officials. They all came together to discuss shared challenges and plans for the future of the Commonwealth.

Key Leaders Present

Some of the well-known leaders who attended included:

• Harold Wilson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who led the meeting.
• Robert Menzies, the Prime Minister of Australia.
• Lester Pearson, the Prime Minister of Canada.
• Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Prime Minister of India.
• Kwame Nkrumah, the President of Ghana.
• Julius Nyerere, the President of Tanzania.
• Kenneth Kaunda, the President of Zambia.

These leaders, along with many others, worked together to make important decisions for the Commonwealth.