The Khalili Foundation, renowned for promoting peacebuilding through arts, culture, and education, has been named the Founding Member of The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP). The announcement was made at a University of Samoa event attended by His Majesty King Charles III, Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, and the Bahamian Prime Minister, The Hon. Philip Davis.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Commonwealth face multiple challenges, including economic vulnerability, climate-induced damage, and skills shortages in public sectors. These factors, combined with youth migration, further destabilise peace and security within these societies.
The fellowship programme was designed to address these pressing needs and will be administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). Comprising fellowships for mid-career professionals, scholarships for undergraduates, and PhD opportunities, the three-part initiative will drive sustainable impact for SIDS across multiple timeframes.
Inspired by His Majesty and developed with support from The Khalili Foundation, including a generous personal donation from King Charles III, the programme has been co-created alongside universities and stakeholders from SIDS and across the Commonwealth.
Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, Founder and Chairman of the Khalili Foundation, remarked:
“We at the Khalili Foundation are honoured and proud to be the Founder Member of The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme and to support the ACU in this quest to support Small Island Developing States combat climate change.
His Majesty has been at the forefront of promoting environmental sustainability and encouraging harmonious societies for many decades, issues and values that are closely aligned to our mission and priorities at the Foundation. I look forward to this being the beginning of a long and impactful partnership.”
