Commonwealth Day observance takes place at Westminster Abbey

Dignitaries, ambassadors, school children and citizens from across the Commonwealth gathered in London at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day observance on 10 March 2008.

The ceremony began with a procession of bearers carrying the flags of the Commonwealth’s 53 member states, as well as the official flag of the Commonwealth. They were followed by dignitaries, religious leaders, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Her Majesty The Queen.

The Dean of Westminster, Dr John Hall, warmly welcomed the congregation and challenged Commonwealth citizens “to give high priority to creating a new equilibrium as humanity’s responsibility to protect the environment is balanced against humanity’s right to development and wealth.”

Images of war, floods, and environmental catastrophes were played on flat screen television panels as Queen Elizabeth II read out her Commonwealth Day message, calling for greater protection of the environment.

The Queen urged more support for young people, whom she described as both energetic and able to confront climate change. She added that governments, businesses, communities and individuals should each strive to “match words and good intentions with deeds”.

“Whatever we do, wherever we live,” said the Queen, “our actions in defence of the environment can have a real and positive effect upon the lives of others, today and into the future.”

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon highlighted the challenges of climate change and urged the Commonwealth’s citizens to be “stewards of this planet that we share, and to use it for the benefit of both ourselves and future generations.”

Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the current chair-in-office of the Commonwealth, emphasised the role the Commonwealth can play in mitigating the impact of climate change and preserving the environment for future generations.

He highlighted the numerous projects which the Commonwealth had instituted, including giving more support to developing countries in their international negotiations on climate change; initiation of new programmes on land management and afforestation; as well as commissioning studies on the environmental effects of exporting agricultural produce.

The observance featured performances from award winning soloist Madeleine Piereard, an energetic traditional religious song by the African children’s choir from Uganda, a traditional Maori music and dance performance, and a melodic meditation from the Keith Waithe Quintet.

Secretariat Links:

• Commonwealth Week