Commonwealth youth a catalyst for transforming societies - Queen
Rohan MATHES in Kampala, Uganda
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World leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting yesterday. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is at extreme
right on the third row.
Picture by Sudath Silva |
President Mahinda Rajapaksa attended a colourful opening ceremony of
the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the Serena
Conference Centre (SCC) here yesterday.
Queen Elizabeth II who graced the occasion as the Head of the
Commonwealth and the Patron of the CHOGM, addressing the Heads of
Government stated that based on and abiding by the principles of
‘Transforming Societies’, the theme of the CHOGM-2007, we should treat
those around us, as we would wish to be treated as ourselves. “That is
the case for Governments, for communities and for all of us as
individuals,” she added.
The Queen pointed out that a dialogue for hearing the voices of the
Government and also those of others in the society and respecting the
fundamental human rights of all, were of paramount importance.
She was of the view that the youth who make up almost half of the
Commonwealth, has shown enormous and unlimited optimism and enthusiasm.
This energy should be tapped fully and the young people can and
should play a part in the many global challenges which could not be
resolved by the older generation alone, whether in the Commonwealth as a
whole or in each of its member countries.
The outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon observed
that there were many factors which bonded the modern Commonwealth such
as their values, language, history, institutions, concerns, aspirations
and the Queen.
“If the people are the lifeblood of the Commonwealth, then CHOGM is
its heart. When the heart beats strong, the body of the Commonwealth
works at its best. The CHOGM is the place in which our political agenda
is set, and from which all our activities flow,” he said.
He stated that much progress has been made to meet the needs of the
member countries and the challenges of the times, such as extremism in
the world, the ‘Digital Divide’, maximizing the trade and other economic
links between the Commonwealth countries and the enrolment of new
members.
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in his
welcome address said the CHOGM was unique in the sense that it
required no interpreters as in other conferences and the English
language was common to all the participating members.
He asked why this ‘commonness’ as a ‘Group’, could not be relevant
and applicable in other crucial issues such as terrorism. Maltese
Premier Dr. Lawrence Gonzi also spoke.
The ceremony concluded with a traditional cultural performance by a
group of young Ugandans.
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