New Delhi: Commonwealth Day is being celebrated today on Monday with observances, speeches, cycle rallies, plantation, exhibitions and cultural events across the 56 Commonwealth member countries. Rwanda High Commission in India also celebrated this day with a Cycling Rally followed by plantation drive at one of the MCD Primary School in the national capital region of India. Rwanda High Commissioner Mukangira Jacqueline flagged off- cycling rally on Sunday, from Rwanda High Commission, New Delhi to National War Memorial at India Gate, New Delhi.
Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future
With ‘Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future’ as its theme, the day aims to unite 2.5 billion Commonwealth citizens in celebration of their shared values and principles, and in pursuit of a common future, centred on sustainability and peace.
This will be the first Commonwealth Day presided over by the UK’s King Charles III as King and Head of the Commonwealth.
The day is also being marked as the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter, which outlines the values and principles that unify the 56 Commonwealth countries, representing one-third of humanity.
In her Commonwealth Day Message, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland KC paid tribute to late Queen Elizabeth II for her seven decades of service and welcomed King Charles III for his first Commonwealth Day as the new Head of the Commonwealth.
I wish everyone, in every part of our Family of Nations, a peaceful, joyous and purposeful Commonwealth Day.
Read my 2023 #CommonwealthDay Message: https://t.co/YFJ5hYW041
— Patricia Scotland KC (@PScotlandCSG) March 13, 2023
Speaking on the role of the Commonwealth in her message, she said: “We stand together now to face the challenges of the moment and seize the opportunities of tomorrow. Where there is violence and conflict, we work for peace. Where there is insecurity, we protect the culture, process and institutions of democracy. Where there is poverty, we tackle it. Where there is injustice, we challenge it.
“Where our brothers and sisters have their lives threatened and disrupted by the impacts of climate change, we stand with them, working tirelessly for climate action and a more sustainable world. I believe profoundly that our family of 56 nations and 2.5 billion people is stronger, more vibrant, more connected and more purposeful than ever.”
Drawing attention to the growing cooperation within the Commonwealth at a time of polarisation, Secretary-General Scotland added: “Our unique qualities and advantages mean that the Commonwealth in 2023 is not simply a part of the international system, it is a beacon within it.
“These qualities shine in the fact that, with a multilateral system under strain, the Commonwealth is growing, precisely because of what we stand for and what we can deliver.
“So, on this 10th anniversary of our (Commonwealth) Charter, as we renew our commitment to its values and to each other, let us resolve together to ensure that in the years to come, we make the peaceful and sustainable common future we all strive for a reality for the whole Commonwealth.”
Inter-faith, multi-cultural observances
Around the Commonwealth, cities will host inter-faith, multi-cultural observances to mark the day. One of the largest gatherings will be the traditional service at Westminster Abbey in London and will be attended by The King, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, senior government officials, other dignitaries and hundreds of young people.
At the service, the theme will be expressed through musical performances, testimonies and readings from individuals representing several Commonwealth countries, including ‘Amalgamation Choir’, an all-female choir from Cyprus.
Commonwealth Day has been celebrated on the second Monday in March every year since 1977. In recent years, there has been a shift away from a single-day observance towards a full-week celebration, with Commonwealth Day as its focal point.
This year, as part of the Commonwealth of Nations Flag for Peace initiative, each Commonwealth country and every UK city will receive a flag, which they can raise on Commonwealth Day in celebration of the values of the Commonwealth Charter, including democracy, human rights, sustainable development, equality and respect.
Happy #CommonwealthDay to all 2.5 billion citizens of the #Commonwealth!
Today marks the beginning of a week-long series of activities happening around the globe – including faith and civic gatherings, school assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural events.
Learn more👇🏾
— The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) March 13, 2023
Parliamentarians, mayors and high commissioners in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe will also mark the day with various activities, including speeches and cultural events.
The Commonwealth Secretariat has also produced a special quiz for students to learn more about the modern Commonwealth and its diverse membership. Schools around the Commonwealth can download and use the quiz free of charge.
-Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui (PhD), Follow via Twitter @shahidsiddiqui
