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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Realising the potential of communications and information technology

22 February 2000

The 2000 Commonwealth Day Statement by Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku

On Monday 13 March we celebrate the first Commonwealth Day of the new millennium. This year's theme, 'The Communications Challenge', has special significance because today, more than ever, the world has the capacity to communicate and share knowledge, ideas, and goodwill. This was amply demonstrated on New Year's Eve, when through television and radio, people in different corners of the globe figuratively linked arms and shared with the rest of the world their welcoming ceremonies for the year 2000.

We in the Commonwealth are fortunate that our family of 54 countries share a common language, which facilitates communication among us - an advantage that information technology could enable us to exploit fully.

The 21st century is already seeing monumental developments in communications and information technology that are sure to impact on all of us. For example, even as the capabilities of the internet continue to fascinate, we are told that soon electronic or digital books will be in general use - perhaps helping to save trees but maybe posing other threats! Today's astounding information technology advances, which not so long ago we thought belonged only in the realm of science fiction, keep us informed of events around the world as they happen, enabling us to take a position, or act, on developments far away from us. However, they also serve to contrast the stark inequalities between rich and poor, and highlight the human suffering and social exclusion all around us.

Happily, these technologies present great potential for righting some of the world's wrongs because knowledge and experience can now be shared everywhere in the world instantaneously. I believe that this is an opportunity that must be seized. The challenge the world now faces is to find ways of making the best use of the wonder of information technology to communicate and share ideas in ways that benefit all segments of society. Most important of all, we must use these technological advances to nurture international understanding and world peace - two major Commonwealth principles. Positive communication can help avoid or resolve the divisive conflicts which have brought pain and hardship to so many, especially children and women.

The second Monday in March was chosen as Commonwealth Day for the reason that schools throughout the Commonwealth would be in session and thus have the opportunity to observe the Day with due ceremony, because Commonwealth Day is for our young people, our future leaders. But we know that unfortunately, as in past years, the Day will find too many young people living in avoidable situations of distress and deprivation.

I believe that we can only truly celebrate the enormous breakthroughs in information and communications technology when we know that these are being used to bridge the gaps between rich and poor, to cement friendships and co-operation between peoples and countries, and to break down the barriers to world peace, goodwill and understanding in the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.


Note to Editors:
Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday in March, and each year a special theme is chosen. This year Commonwealth Day falls on March 13, and the theme is 'The Communications Challenge.' Statements relating to the theme are issued by HM Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, and by the Commonwealth Secretary-General. These can be downloaded from http://www.youngcommonwealth.org/. The Commonwealth Secretariat produces a poster for the occasion which is distributed to schools throughout the Commonwealth. A multi-faith Commonwealth Day observance, organised by the Joint Commonwealth Societies Council, takes place in Westminster Abbey, London,  in the presence of the Queen and the Secretary-General.

 

00/11 22 February 2000

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int