Cultural showcase marks Commonwealth Day celebrations in Brunei

A cultural showcase and an exhibition of traditional arts and crafts assembled by the participating countries took place in Brunei Darussalam on 9 March 2009 as part of celebrations for Commonwealth Day.

There was also a seminar discussing the theme for Commonwealth Day –  ‘thecommonwealth@60: serving a new generation’. Panellists taking part in this seminar included Pakistan’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and a representative from Brunei’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

These events were organised by the Commonwealth Youth Programme’s Asia Centre and the Government of Brunei Darussalam.

High commissioners and other distinguished delegates, 58 young people from seven Commonwealth countries and over 50 participants from Brunei attended the opening ceremony.

In his Commonwealth Day message, HM the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam stressed that it is vital to offer young people more than just words.

“We must offer them practical opportunities, attainable goals, realistic hopes and constant reassurance,” he said.