Charity Registration Number: 1205874 (England and Wales)
## **RAMPHAL INSTITUTE**
# **TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MAY 2025**
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## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
## **Trustees**
Kamela Palma - Chairperson Dr. Ajay Agrawal Richard Evans Mark Robinson Anita Nzeh Meenakshi Dhar Steve Cutts Winnie Kiap Akinyi Eurallyah
## **Charity number** :
1205874
**Registered office:** Woburn House 5[th] Floor 20 Tavistock Square London WC1H 9HF
**Bankers:** HSBC 1 Woburn Place Russell Square London WCIH OLQ
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## **REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MAY 2025**
## **Annual Report and Accounts**
The Trustees of the Ramphal Institute present their report and accounts for the period ended 31 May 2025.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity’s’ Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in March 2005.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The charity is governed by its revised Memorandum and Articles of Association as adopted on 14 November 2023.
The charity changed its name on 2 December 2011 to the Ramphal Institute, from the Ramphal Centre for Commonwealth Policy Studies.
The charity was first granted charitable status on 6 December 2006. On 29 June 2023 the Institute applied for Charitable Incorporate Organisation (CIO) status, and this was granted by the Charities Commission on 23 November 2023.
## **Trustees**
The Trustees of the Ramphal Institute who served during the period (2024 – 2025) were:
Kamela Palma – Chairperson Steve Cutts – Deputy Chairperson Meenakshi Dhar – Honorary Treasurer Ajay Agrawal Richard Evans Mark Robinson Anita Nzeh Winnie Kiap Akinyi Eurallyah
* Ramphal Institute trustees – leading figures, key experts, and community and thought leaders in fields relevant to the priority areas of work of the Ramphal Institute, including trade, sustainable development, governance and environment/ climate change – are selected from across Commonwealth members states and regions. Trustees are identified and nominated by an ad hoc committee of the Board of Trustees established for this purpose, and nominations are vetted and voted by the wider group of Trustees at their regular meetings prior to the new trustee officially assuming a place with the organization.
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## **Objectives and Activities**
## **Mandate and Objectives**
The Ramphal Institute works “ _to advance education for the benefit of the public, including policy makers, in the fields of social, economic, governance and environmental policies within the commonwealth, by means of analysis, studies, meeting, lectures, conferences, seminars, workshops, research and the dissemination of the useful results of the foregoing.”_
It creates and shares knowledge, undertakes policy research and analysis, and provides advice to policymakers and other stakeholders within and across Commonwealth member states via targeted virtual dialogues, briefings, conferences, seminars and workshops, printed publications, and its website and social media accounts. In so doing, the Institute contributes to informed policy debate that can help make international and national policy making and regulation more conducive to sustainable development and the advancement of equity and good governance.
## **Notable Occurrences**
During the last reporting year, the Institute enjoyed the following notable occurrences.
Firstly, the Institute has remained active among other Commonwealth organisation and continues to contribute positively to the development of the Independent Forum of Commonwealth Organisations (IFCO), including engaging regularly with the past and the new Commonwealth Secretary General. The Institute regularly attends IFCO meetings and has been a central and key player in the IFCO’s preparation for CHOGM and other Commonwealth events.
Secondly, the Institute continues to be a leading among Commonwealth organizations in terms of keeping with the agreement by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their meeting in Kigali, Rwanda for “increasing meaningful representation of youth in decision-making processes and mechanisms” and “placing young people at the heart of policy development.” The Institute has hired four young persons to lead out components of its work programme and continues to engage with youth leaders from across Commonwealth states and regions, consistently involving them in events as presenters and resource persons, and giving them opportunities to share their lived experiences and leadership.
And thirdly, the Institute continues to engage stakeholders across Commonwealth countries and regions on issues of relevance and interest to policy makers, governments, and citizens/peoples. This includes climate change, climate justice, small vulnerable states, and youth. This is reflected in the sustained attention and visits to the Institute’s social media accounts, growth in followership via those accounts – especially linked in, and continued attendance at webinars delivered by the Institute.
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## **Achievements and Performance**
## **1. Implementation of the Work Plan**
The Director reported that work on implementation the work plan was continuing. The Work Plan sets out key activities (under the Institute’s four priority areas) for meeting the Institute’s strategic objectives, specifically: _building capacity across the Commonwealth for responding to policy challenges_ ; _undertaking research on relevant policy areas_ ; _convening meetings and events with Commonwealth stakeholders_ ; and _communicating and raising awareness about the work of the Institute_ .
## **3.1 Climate Justice**
During the remainer of 2024 and into the first quarter of 2025, Miss Kelsie Garbutt, Researcher and Coordinator for Climate Justice, delivered several webinars focusing on different issues of climate justice across the Commonwealth. The series featured leading political figures, from Commonwealth Member States heads of international organizations and local NGOs, senior staff of the Commonwealth Secretariat, and other stakeholder, including young people, working on climate justice issues in Commonwealth member states and regions.
Main themes of the webinar series included strategies for achieving Net Zero that prioritise just transitions and climate equity; colonialism and climate justice indigenous voices and climate justice; climate resilience and economic development as an integrated approach in SIDS; and Commonwealth Collaboration on Climate Change. The series reached over 300 people from more than twenty commonwealth countries and video recordings are available for viewing on the Institute’s YouTube channel. The Researcher and Coordinator for Climate Justice also published a single podcast episode on climate justice.
## **3.2 Youth Engagement**
Over the past year, the young persons appointed by the Institute to staffing roles delivered webinars, attended Commonwealth and other events (such as COP), and engaged stakeholders. For instance, over the last operating year, Mr. Ashraf Nehal, who currently serves in the role of Youth Coordinator (Volunteer), participated in several youth focused events, including the 16[th] Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – see bullet below. Mr. Nehal’s Participation was part funded by the Commonwealth Secretariat through their Youth Division and his participation the COP16 focused on youth and local communities, including for securing land rights and involving indigenous peoples, local communities, and youth in restoration efforts. He also attended the London Climate Action Week, an event at the Bonn Climate Camp with part support from the Commonwealth Secretariat, and different events convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat, including the Commonwealth Day Ceremony in March 2025, and the welcome
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reception for the new Commonwealth Secretary-General. Other events and meetings attended include:
• Seeds of Change: Advancing Climate Justice through Food and Nature – Participated as a speaker at this side event jointly organised by the UN Decade on Agrifood, the Ramphal Institute, and Youth4Nature, COP29, Madagascar Pavilion, 21 November 2024, alongside youth delegates from Indonesia and Bangladesh.
• COP29 Commonwealth Pavilion Event – Moderated a session on Interfaith Dialogue for Collective Climate Action, November 2024, alongside UNEP's Faith Director and the Adviser & Head of the Pacific Governance and Peace Directorate, Commonwealth Secretariat.
• Commonwealth Voices: Youth-Led Solutions for Sustainable Land Management – Moderated this panel at the Children and Youth Resilience Hub, COP16 of the UNCCD, Riyadh, 11 December 2024, representing the Ramphal Institute and CYCN alongside speakers from UNCCD Youth, YOUNGO, and Heartfulness Youth.
• Commonwealth Curriculum Framework Peer Review SDG Panel – Served on the panel contributing to the review of SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
• Commonwealth Youth Climate Negotiations Training, Commonwealth Secretariat Headquarters, London – Nominated by the UNFCCC National Focal Point to attend this training on behalf of the Ramphal Institute.
• King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme Showcase and Evening Reception – Attended as a representative of the Ramphal Institute.
• Faith, Futures & Frontlines: Commonwealth Youth Arts & Advocacy for Climate Justice – Delivered at this workshop and youth arts showcase organised by the UNEP Faith for Earth Initiative & Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network (CYCN), SB62 Bonn Climate Camp, 21 June 2025.
• UNEP Youth Environment Assembly, Nairobi – Moderated a panel on Youth for Values and the Planet, 2025.
• Selected for the Commonwealth Youth Leaders’ Summit 2025 – Representing the Ramphal Institute.
In addition to the above, Mr. Nehal, working with the Director, engaged different Commonwealth stakeholders and explored funding opportunities for youth focused and related initiatives.
The work of the youth staff remains in keeping with the agreement by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their meeting in Kigali, Rwanda for “increasing meaningful representation of youth in decision-making processes and mechanisms” and “placing young people at the heart of policy development”.
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## **3.3 Climate Justice**
During the latter first half of 2025, Miss Kelsie Garbutt, Researcher and Coordinator for Climate Justice Programs (Volunteer) delivered the remainder of a series of webinars on climate justice and produced at least one podcast focused on the theme of one the webinars.
## **3.4 Climate Migration**
In May 2024 the Director launched a new series titled Eyes on Africa. The program developed and implemented in collaboration with the Young African Policy Research Hub (YAPORH) interrogates the development challenges and forces shaping Africa today from a youth perspective. The initiative which included webinars, high level discussion and publication of policy briefs and research about relevant themes, engaged leading thinkers, policymakers, and other stakeholders from African countries, especially those that are Commonwealth member states. The object of the programme is to illuminate the issues countries, communities and people in Africa are facing and to understand how policy makers and Commonwealth member states are responding to the issues. The programme approaches this from the perspective of African youth leaders and provides a platform and space for them to share their thinking about events and to provide feedback or considerations to better inform decision-making and more effective policies in African Commonwealth member states.
## **4 COP29**
Unlike the previous two years, the Ramphal Institute was physically represented at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan in November 2024 through the attendance of Mr. Ashaf Nehal, the Institute’s Youth Coordinator (Volunteer). Mr. Nehal’s participation was in the capacity of a youth delegate, and not the Ramphal Institute directly, and was fully funded by other sources, including the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Ms. Anita Nzeh, a Trustee with the Ramphal Institute, also attended COP29 in Baku. Ms. Nzeh coordinated joint attendance at different events in Baku with Mr. Nehal and both were in communication with the Director and shared about their experiences at the event.
Conversely, the Director participated in several virtual meetings leading up to COP29 as well as meetings convened virtually during the event This included virtual events focusing on practical climate solutions, technology, and sustainability convened by Deloitte and online events climate financing delivered by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), among others. Additionally, one of the Trustees of the Institute attended COP29 and reported back on developments and outcomes there.
The Director participated in the virtual events of COP29 with the aim of following the negotiations, learning about the interests of Commonwealth Member States,
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especially small developing economies, and learning more about the knowledge exchanges and best practices employed in the fight against climate change. The Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, which asserts the right to existing national marine boundaries in the face of sea levels rise, especially small island development states, was an important contribution of Commonwealth States at COP29.
## **5 Advancing the Principles of the Commonwealth Charter**
The Institute continues to advance the Commonwealth Charter primarily through its role as a policy research, education, and advocacy organisation focused on development, governance, and sustainability across Commonwealth states. Over the past year the Institute convened several webinars, several focused on climate justice. In doing so, the Institute engaged policymakers, governments, and stakeholders; conducted research and policy analysis; and contributed to more informed decisionmaking and stronger participation from civil society and stakeholders, especially young people. Through its research work, the Institute also continues to serve as an intellectual hub, sharing knowledge across countries and sectors. And, the Institute facilitates dialogue and collaboration across Commonwealth countries and organizations, leveraging the Commonwealth’s diversity to address global challenges collectively.
## **6 Commonwealth Day 2025**
The Director of the Ramphal Institute again represented the organisation at the official ceremony for Commonwealth Day 2025 on Monday 10 March 2024. The event which involved a service at Westminster Abbey attended by members of the royal family marked the beginning of a week-long series of events and activities in the UK and around the globe, including faith and civic gatherings, debates, school assemblies, flag raising ceremonies and cultural events. Other members of the Board of Trustees also attended the ceremony, and the Director also participated in other events during the week, including the reception hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat as well as online events convened by other Commonwealth organisations.
## **7 Public Relations and Communication**
Over the past operating year, the Institute continued to expand its reach within and across Commonwealth member states and regions, using social media and digital channels. For instance, the Institute continues to receive over twenty new visitors a week to its LinkedIn account where followership now stands at 636 persons – up from 562 the previous period – an average of roughly 6 new followers per month. At the same time, over 260 persons participated in the Institute’s webinars on virtual events or viewed its content and recordings on YouTube over the past year. The continued growth of followers to the Institute’s LinkedIn and social media accounts reflects continued confidence in its work and programming.
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## **Public benefit**
The activities and events hosted by the Institute have been open to the public and all its publications during the year were available free of charge and were posted on the Institute's website.
The research, briefings, and meetings undertaken and/or convened by the Institute have advanced understanding of alternative approaches to addressing issues and challenges facing Commonwealth member states and regions, including the climate crisis and other sustainable development issues. The work of the Institute has informed and contributed by providing additional intellectual input for policy making in the wider Commonwealth and beyond.
The Institute maintains strong relationships with members of the strong Commonwealth civil society community which exists both in London and across the wider Commonwealth. This has given us ideas and a wider forum through which to promote our mission, in particularly concerning press freedom, democracy and human rights. At the same time, the Institute continues to develop its close relationship with the Commonwealth Secretariat, utilising shared contacts and other benefits which enables the Institute to promote and maintain access to all the Commonwealth, in particular; African, Caribbean and pacific countries.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees,
## **Kamela Palma Chairperson, Ramphal Institute**
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**THE RAMPHAL INSTITUTE STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025**
|**Notes**
**Income**
Restricted Donations
Designated Donations
Unrestricted Donations
Sales
Grant
TOTAL INCOME
**Expenditure**
Governance
Events and Research
Rent
Other1
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**
**EXCESS/DEFICIT OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE**
**Net movement in funds**
Fund balances at 31 May 2024
**Fund balances at 31 May 2025**
**Variance**|**Total**
**Total**
**2024**
**2024**
**2025**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**-**
**nil**
**nil**
**nil**
**nil**|**Total**
**Total**
**2024**
**2024**
**2025**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**-**
**nil**
**nil**
**nil**
**nil**|**Total**
**Total**
**2024**
**2024**
**2025**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**-**
**nil**
**nil**
**nil**
**nil**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**nil**
**nil**
**nil**
**nil**|||
||**452.00 452.00**
**1,500.00**
**1,500.00**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**275.88 275.88 527.88 527.88**|||
||**727.88 727.88 2,027.88 2,027.88**|||
|||**(727.88)**
**(727.88)**
**4,485.702**||
||||**(2,027.88)**|
||||**4,485.70**
**2,457.82**|
> 1 Bank charges, Website/Email maintenance, Zoom subscription.
> 2 Bank Statement, 9 May to 8 June 2024.
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## **THE RAMPHAL INSTITUTE**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 MAY 2025**
|**Notes**
**Current assets**
Cash at bank and in hand
Debtors
**Current Liabilities**
Payments Owing (Email/Website Maintenance)3
Other Liabilities
**Net Assets**
**Income/ Funds**
Surplus/ (Deficit) carried forward
Grants & Other Funding|**2024**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**4,485.70**
**2,457.82**|
|---|---|
||**4,485.70**
**2,457.82**
(480.00)
**-**
nil|
||-
**1,997.82**|
||**4,485.70**
**2,475.82**|
||**4,485.70**
**2,457.82**|
> 3 Email and website maintenance costs for 2021 and 2022. The service supplier overlooked billing for these.
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For the year ending 31 May 2025, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Trustees responsibilities:
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors (trustees) acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The accounts were approved by the Board on **26[th] March 2025** .
…………………………….
Ms. Kamela Palma Chairperson
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## **RAMPHAL INSTITUTE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS PERIOD ENDED 31 MAY 2025**
## 1 **Accounting policies**
- The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
- The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards in the United Kingdom, following the guidance and format (where relevant) of the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities", issued in March 2005 and the Companies Act 2006.
## 2 **Employees**
The average number of employees (unpaid volunteers) was 4 in 2024 - 2025.
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