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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Secretary-General urges officials to focus on youth, democracy and the future

20 October 2000

Young people should contribute to and be centrally involved with the Commonwealth in the new millennium, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said in his address to senior officials at the opening of their 15th biennial meeting in Apia, Samoa yesterday.

"If the Commonwealth is to evoke a more positive response to its future work, it must not only utilise already available resources but must also look to some of its other assets, a significant component of which are its young people," he continued. The Secretary-General spoke of the enthusiasm and curiosity he saw whenever he spoke to young Commonwealth citizens on his trips, and urged member countries to harness this energy.

Turning to the fundamental political values of the Commonwealth, Mr McKinnon reiterated that "the promotion of democracy and good governance remains a defining feature of the Commonwealth and continues to be high on its agenda. Developments such as the unconstitutional overthrow of elected governments in Fiji and Pakistan have only strengthened the Commonwealth's resolve to uphold the Harare principles."

He welcomed the Townsville Agreement signed on 15 October to help resolve the crisis in Solomon Islands and hoped that this would be implemented in good faith. He reminded participants that prominent Pacific leaders, including Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and Fiame Mata'afa, had repeatedly called for ethnic harmony, stating that problems should be approached with patience, moderation and a determination to seek amicable solutions through dialogue and consensus

Finally, Mr McKinnon reflected on the challenges brought about by globalisation, especially for small states, and what the Commonwealth can do to help its members benefit from the new global reality. He stressed the need for all member states to remain committed to the vision of a more dynamic Commonwealth and to strengthening the foundations upon which the association has been built. 

Note to editors:

The Secretary-General is attending the biennial Commonwealth Senior Officials Meeting in Apia. Media enquiries to Ms Cheryl Dorall at the Hotel Kitano Tusitala, Tel: +685 21122, Room 202, or +685 24708, Fax:  +685 23652.

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