CANZUK International facts for kids
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| Founded | 2015 |
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| Founder | James Skinner |
| Type | Political Organisation |
| Focus | To build a cohesive alliance of four nation-states. |
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Area served
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Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom |
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Key people
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Formerly called
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Commonwealth Freedom of Movement Organisation |
CANZUK International is a group that wants to make it easier for people from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to live, work, and trade with each other. The name CANZUK is an acronym for the four countries: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
The group's main goals are to allow citizens of these four countries to move freely between them, create free trade agreements, and work together on foreign policy. This idea is similar to the close relationship that already exists between Australia and New Zealand, known as the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.
Contents
History of the Group
The organization was first started in January 2015 by James Skinner. At the time, it was called the Commonwealth Freedom of Movement Organisation (CFMO). Skinner got the idea after he, as a citizen of the United Kingdom, found it difficult to move to Australia and Canada. He wanted to make this process easier for people from these four specific countries.
In March 2015, Skinner explained his idea on a radio show in Vancouver. He said:
- The four countries we propose are very similar in numerous ways. For example, we share the same head of state, the same language, the same Westminster style parliamentary system, the same common law legal system... What we're advocating is not something out of the ordinary.
He pointed out that Australia and New Zealand already had a similar agreement. He also noted that the European Union allows people from many different countries to live and work together.
In January 2017, the group changed its name to CANZUK International. It also expanded its goals to include free trade and foreign policy, not just the free movement of people.
What CANZUK International Wants
CANZUK International has three main goals for Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Freedom to Live and Work
The group's top priority is to allow citizens of the four CANZUK countries to live and work in any of the other countries without needing special visas or work permits. This is often called freedom of movement.
However, the group believes there should be some rules. For example, people with serious criminal records or certain health problems would not be allowed to move freely. This is to make sure the system is safe and works well. The rules would be like the ones already used by Australia and New Zealand in their travel arrangement.
The group has suggested starting with smaller steps. For example, they proposed a five-year work visa for people under 31. This could later be expanded to older age groups and for longer periods, eventually leading to full freedom of movement.
Free Trade Between Countries
CANZUK International also wants the four countries to have completely open trade with each other. This means no special taxes or barriers on goods and services. They believe this would make the four countries a stronger trading group when dealing with large economies like the United States, China, and the European Union.
The group suggests that Canada and the United Kingdom could join the existing trade agreement between Australia and New Zealand, called the Closer Economic Relations agreement. This would also help skilled workers, as their professional qualifications would be recognized in all four countries without needing extra exams.
Working Together on World Issues
The third goal is for the CANZUK countries to cooperate more on foreign policy. This means they would work together on global issues like human rights and security.
The group has made it clear that they are not suggesting the four countries join together to become one single country, like the members of the European Union. Instead, they want the four nations to remain independent but work together as close allies.
Support for the CANZUK Idea
The idea of CANZUK has gained support from some political groups.
In January 2018, the Adam Smith Institute, a British research group, announced that it supported the CANZUK idea. They called it "an idea whose time has come."
In August 2018, the Conservative Party of Canada voted to make the CANZUK proposals part of their official party policy.
Research and Reports
Besides campaigning, CANZUK International also researches topics related to the four countries. They have studied things like the cost of living in different cities and public opinion on various issues. This research helps support their proposals and provides information to the public and politicians.
See also
- Commonwealth of Nations
- Freedom of movement for workers in the European Union
- Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement
