Commonwealth Day enables participants to show appreciation for the values of the Commonwealth, and the opportunities offered for friendship and cooperation.
More than 730 Commonwealth flags will be raised in locations throughout the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, UK territories, and Commonwealth countries today, to commemorate Commonwealth Day 2015 (March 9).
In Saint Lucia a ceremony will be held at George V Park in Castries, at 10 a.m. The Ex-Service League, Saint. John’s Ambulance, Methodist and Marchand Combined Schools, the Red Cross, the National Volunteer Corps, the Cadet Corps and representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office will join in the shared celebration of a family of nations.
This unique initiative, now in its second year, is a collective public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth. It enables participants to show appreciation for the values that the Commonwealth upholds, and the opportunities offered for friendship and cooperation with fellow Commonwealth citizens around the world.
A special message from Her Majesty the Queen to all those taking part will be read out to those attending the 730 individual flag raising events worldwide, before the raising of each flag. A personal message from His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and specially written Commonwealth Affirmation, will also be read out at each ceremony before the raising of the flag.
"Wherever they live, learn or work, [people] throughout the Commonwealth will celebrate the variety and unmatched diversity of our global family. All of our citizens, particularly the young, can express appreciation for the Commonwealth and the values for which it stands as set out in the Commonwealth Charter, and the rich opportunities it offers for mutual support towards more inclusive and equitable social and economic progress.”
Tonga has been granted the honor to be the first country in the world to raise the Commonwealth Flag at 10 a.m. on March 9; while for the first time in maritime history, the Commonwealth
flag will be raised onboard all ships belonging to the fleets of the world’s leading cruise lines, P&O and Cunard.
Such worldwide participation will provide stirring scenes of pan-Commonwealth solidarity within the rich diversity of Commonwealth identity. Groups in the Bahamas, Belize,
Grenada, Jamaica, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta Mauritius, New Zealand, Samoa, Sri Lanka, and Saint Lucia will also be raising the Commonwealth flag at 10 a.m., joining thousands around the Commonwealth to launch of this year’s theme: "A Young Commonwealth."