In 2007 the Commonwealth will continue to champion efforts to fight against the scandalous wrongs and injustices of our time, including lack of education, poor health, and economic deprivation
Strengthening collective efforts to enhance democracy and development tops Commonwealth agenda for 2007
29 December 2006
Commonwealth Secretary-General champions drive to combat poverty
The Commonwealth will renew its collective efforts in 2007 to strengthen democracy and development.
In his New Year's Message, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon stressed that democracy remains the best way to give individuals freedom and control over their own lives and destinies.
Describing democracy as a 'work-in-progress' in all Commonwealth member countries, the Secretary-General said: "We will continue to promote improvements in the forms of democracy, like free and fair elections. We will also continue to promote the institutions of democracy - like parliaments, judiciaries, executives, the media and civil society. Above all else, we will continue to promote the culture of democracy; of citizens having freedom and a say in how they are governed."
The Secretary-General expressed concern over the slow pace of progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and the targets to be met by the 2015 deadline.
"In the Commonwealth today, a staggering 30 million children are not in primary school and another 45 million are not in secondary school," said Mr McKinnon.
"Twenty-five million people are carrying the HIV virus; and 800 million Commonwealth citizens are subsisting on less than one US dollar per day."
The Secretary-General said 2007 will see the Commonwealth continuing to champion efforts to "fight against the scandalous wrongs and injustices of our time, including lack of education, poor health, and economic deprivation."
Noting that trade was one of the most potent antidotes to the ills of poverty, Mr McKinnon stated that the Commonwealth will continue to work towards promoting trade "based on multilateral rules that are fair, transparent, development-oriented, and honoured in letter and spirit".
The Secretary-General underlined the importance of collective support and contributions from the Commonwealth's 53 member governments, as well as civil society organisations and individuals. He concluded that the Commonwealth Secretariat would play its part through practical contributions targeted at those "below the poverty line or deprived of their democratic rights".
The full text of Mr McKinnon's New Year Message for 2007 is available here.
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