1987 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 10th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting |
|
|---|---|
| Host country |  Canada |
| Dates | 13–17 October 1987 |
| Venue(s) | Lake Okanagan Resort |
| Cities | Kelowna |
| Chair | Brian Mulroney (Prime Minister) |
| Follows | 1986 |
| Precedes | 1989 |
| Key points | |
The 1987 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was an important meeting for leaders from many countries. These countries were all part of the Commonwealth of Nations. The meeting took place in Vancouver, Canada, from October 13 to 17, 1987.
The Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, was the host of this big event. A major topic at the meeting was how to deal with Apartheid in South Africa.
Contents
What Was the Commonwealth Meeting?
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is a gathering of leaders. They come from countries that used to be part of the British Empire. These meetings happen every two years. Leaders talk about important issues that affect their countries and the world. They try to find ways to work together.
Who Attended the 1987 Meeting?
Leaders from many Commonwealth countries came to Vancouver. This included presidents, prime ministers, and other top officials. They represented nations from all over the globe. The host was Canada's Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney.
The Big Debate: Sanctions Against Apartheid
A very important discussion at the 1987 meeting was about Apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid was a system of laws that treated people unfairly based on their race. It separated white people from black people and gave white people more rights. Many countries around the world wanted to end apartheid.
Most Commonwealth leaders believed that putting "economic sanctions" on South Africa would help. Economic sanctions mean stopping trade or financial dealings with a country. The idea was to pressure South Africa to end its unfair laws.
Why Were Sanctions Important?
Many leaders felt that sanctions were a strong way to show disapproval. They hoped that if South Africa's economy was hurt, its government would change. This was a way to fight for human rights without going to war.
Margaret Thatcher's View
However, the Prime Minister of Britain, Margaret Thatcher, had a different idea. She did not agree with using economic sanctions. She believed that sanctions would not work. She also thought they might hurt the people of South Africa, especially those who were already struggling. This led to a big disagreement between her and most of the other leaders.
What Happened Next?
Even with the disagreement, the meeting was a chance for leaders to talk. They shared their views on a very serious global problem. The discussions at the 1987 meeting showed how strongly many countries felt about ending apartheid.
