The Bahamas believes it is important for the Commonwealth to continue to play a role in encouraging young people to uphold the principles on which the organisation was built.
His Excellency Michael Smith, Bahamas High Commissioner to Canada made the statement as he addressed a reception in observance of Commonwealth Day held March 12, 2012 in the Senate foyer of the Parliament building in Ottawa.
Speaking to parliamentarians and special guests, High Commissioner Smith said he was pleased to participate in the observances of the day on behalf of The Bahamas, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other High Commissioners accredited to Canada from Commonwealth countries.
He said he felt especially pleased because Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee anniversary and that her grandson 27-year-old Prince Harry has represented her in several member-countries.
“We believe it is important for the Commonwealth to continue to play a role in encouraging young people in particular, to hold dear, to respect and abide by its guiding principles and that is why is was so good to see Prince Harry so warmly embraced by young people throughout the Caribbean.
“Those are principles of good governance, protection and promotion of human rights, free and fair elections and greater economic cooperation.”
Many young Bahamians will also benefit from the Commonwealth fund for technical cooperation which provides expertise and training, the High Commissioner said.
The Bahamas joined The Commonwealth in 1973. It held the 1985 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) resulting in the Nassau Declaration on World Order.
Leaders outlined their commitment to international cooperation, and long-standing commitment to disarmament. At CHOGM 1985, leaders also forged the Commonwealth Accord on South Africa, which provided a detailed programme to force an end of apartheid in South Africa.
“Unity amidst diversity is the hallmark of the contemporary Commonwealth. What unite the member countries are the common historical past, shared legacy and commitment to basic principles of democracy,” the High Commissioner said.
He concluded: “The Commonwealth has the resilience to respond to and address two emergent issues afflicting the world, and we hope it grows from strength to strength.”
Commonwealth Day, celebrated on the second Monday in March every year, is an opportunity to promote understanding on global issues, international co-operation and the work of the Commonwealth’s organisations, which aim to improve the lives of its citizens.
The theme for Commonwealth Day 2012 is Connecting Cultures. The Bahamas is amongst the 54 member countries of The Commonwealth, which officially marked the first simultaneous observance day across the entire Commonwealth in 1977. The Commonwealth Secretariat is located in Marlborough House, London, United Kingdom.
By Lindsay Thompson
Bahamas Information Services
