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Seychelles celebrates Commonwealth Day for third year |15 March 2016

Seychelles was among 850 Commonwealth nations where the organisation’s flag was raised in celebration of Commonwealth Day yesterday.

The event here took place at 10am during a short ceremony at the Freedom Square.

The Commonwealth of Nations is an intergovernmental organisation of 53 member states that were mostly territories of the former British Empire and this year’s theme for Commonwealth Day is ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’.

The flag was raised alongside others at locations throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories, and Commonwealth countries.

Present at the ceremony were high commissioners, ambassadors, Seychelles ex-servicemen, among other high officials and representatives of the Seychelles Scouts Association.

In her remarks to address those present the British high commissioner Caron Rohsler said the Commonwealth is an institution built on inclusion.   

“What truly reflects the inclusivity of the Commonwealth are the shared values to which all member states commit by upholding the Commonwealth Charter. The Charter’s values include tolerance, freedom of expression, respect for human rights, the rule of law, protecting the environment, access to health, education, food and shelter, and gender equality. Yet 40 of the countries that have laws criminalising homosexuality are in the Commonwealth. It is to Seychelles' credit that – National Assembly permitting – it will soon reduce this number to 39. What a great way for Seychelles to mark the Commonwealth’s year of inclusion,” she said.

“In Seychelles the Commonwealth has delivered some very well-targeted, influential and successful projects,” she added.

She highlighted the visits by experts from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Commonwealth Secretariat, economists from the Commonwealth Secretariat who are working alongside professionals in different sectors of the government and the Commonwealth's support for the judiciary.

She also pointed out that Angelique Pouponneau, a winner of one of the Queen’s Young Leader Awards, and vice-chairperson for Inclusion and Engagement on the Commonwealth Youth Council, will stand alongside other young people from across the Commonwealth, in Westminster Abbey in London, where they will be joined by Her Majesty the Queen to celebrate Commonwealth Day.

The Commonwealth affirmation was read by Kurtis Lespoir of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) and Harry Anacoura from the Association of Seychellois Ex-Servicemen Personnel (British Army Forces) read the address of Commonwealth secretary-general Kamalesh Sharma.

This was followed by the raising of the flag by a Scout member.

An exhibition organised by CYC and Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) was later held on the ground floor of Orion Mall aimed at raising awareness and getting people talking about an inclusive Commonwealth.

The exhibition showcased past achievements of the CYC and photos with a message about what an inclusive Commonwealth means to the youth.

Chief executive of SNYC Alvin Laurence said the young people are to be the agents of inclusiveness.

“We are determined to ensure that all young people take their rightful place and make the rightful contribution,” he said.

According to Adolf Nourrice, an inclusive Commonwealth is to incorporate every idea and every person across the globe.

“It is not limited only to the 54 Commonwealth countries but rather the entire world as we need to take everyone into consideration and through that new ideas and innovation with different perspectives can arise,” he said.

 

 

 

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