Commonwealth Secretary-General Announces Theme For 2024

By: Mnena Iyorkegh, Abuja

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The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC, has announced the theme for Commonwealth Day 2024 as ‘One Resilient Common Future’.

The Common Wealth Secretary General says this year’s theme underscores the collective strength that enables member states to confront and overcome present challenges, emerging with resilience.

This year’s Commonwealth Day theme reflects the focus of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be held in Samoa, in October 2024.

Each year, Commonwealth Day is celebrated by people across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe to inspire and foster a dynamic and united community of 56 member states. This year the Commonwealth will celebrate even more milestones.

The day will be observed on the 11th  of March and will start with a series of events and activities, including faith and civic gatherings, debates, school assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies, and cultural events.

Speaking on the theme, Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, said:

“Each year, we observe Commonwealth Day to recognise, celebrate and invigorate our 56 member states, all of whom are committed to the Commonwealth Charter. This paves the way for a future where wealth isn’t just widespread but genuinely equitable. We have countries which are amongst both the smallest and largest in the world. What binds us together is our shared values, and those include a commitment to ensuring stronger and stable governance, a more sustainable environment, robust economies, and societies that empower Commonwealth citizens.”

When announcing the CHOGM theme in 2023, Samoa’s Prime Minister, Afioga Mataafa said:

“We look forward to sharing our unique Samoan communal culture and traditions as we come together to transform our one resilient family into a commonwealth.”

During Commonwealth Week in March, world leaders, foreign ministers, young advocates, and other delegates from across the Commonwealth will come together for wide-ranging conversations.

Together, they will deliberate and decide on collective actions to solve shared challenges while suggesting initiatives that will empower people, encourage growth, and bring transformative change.

Year of youth
Meanwhile, one of these initiatives is the declaration of the Commonwealth Year of Youth, which has put a focus on increasing projects to support the 1.5 billion young people of the Commonwealth.

Countries will observe the day through readings of the Commonwealth Proclamation, hosting celebratory events, or dedicating the week to enlightening citizens about the Commonwealth.

A vibrant multicultural, multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey will celebrate the rich tapestry of the Commonwealth’s people, history, and culture on March 11th  

The event promises reflections, performances, and readings by individuals spanning the diverse nations of the Commonwealth. Each year, one of the highlights of Commonwealth Day is the procession of Commonwealth flags at Westminster Abbey, with young flag bearers representing each of the 56 member states.

This year, Commonwealth Day events will also include a contingent of Speakers and Presiding Officers from the Commonwealth countries, UK Overseas Territories, Crown Dependencies, and the UK nations.

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