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COMMONWEALTH DAY
National Nurses Associations are encouraged
to give consideration to holding a suitable activity on Commonwealth Day.
Associations may hold
an activity
both to support the Commonwealth Day
theme and to confirm their stature as visible and dynamic organisations,
which are proactive politically and professionally.
Celebrating Commonwealth Day
The second Monday in March is Commonwealth Day. Its purpose is to promote
understanding about global issues, international co-operation and the work of
the modern Commonwealth. Each year a different theme is chosen for Commonwealth
Day. The Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II and the Commonwealth
Secretary-General both issue statements on the theme.
What is the Commonwealth?
The Commonwealth is a voluntary
association of 53 independent member countries - from Africa to Asia, from the Pacific to the Caribbean, from Europe to North America. The Commonwealth includes some of the world’s biggest countries
and some of its smallest; some of the richest countries and some of the poorest.
The Commonwealth is often called a family of nations and peoples. Its special
strength lies in the combination of the diversity of its members and their
shared inheritance in language, culture and the rule of law.
There are about 1.7 billion people in the Commonwealth. That is more than a
quarter (29.8%) of the world’s population. About half of the Commonwealth people
are young people under 25 years old. Any person who is a citizen of a
Commonwealth country can be called a Commonwealth citizen. He or she is part of
the unique Commonwealth family.
What does the Commonwealth do?
Commonwealth countries work
together to build a better world for themselves. They help each other to make
their economies stronger, to improve their systems of government and to enhance
the skills of their people.
In particular, the Commonwealth:
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promotes democracy and good
governance, sustainable economic and social development, respect for human
rights and the rule of law, gender equality and protection of the environment,
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promotes partnership and
co-operation among its members,
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promotes understanding and
tolerance among its citizens,
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reduces prejudice, ignorance,
disease and poverty.
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With English as a common
working language and similar systems of law, public administration and
education, the Commonwealth has become a vibrant and growing association of
states in tune with the modern world.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government meet every two years. The Commonwealth
Health Ministers meet annually in Geneva, Switzerland prior to meetings of the
World Health Assembly. The policies and programmes decided at these meetings are
implemented through the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.
Non-government
Organisations
Ordinary people are very
important in the Commonwealth family. In addition to governments many
professional and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) work to improve the lives
of Commonwealth people. They do so in such areas as education, housing,
sanitation and health. There are over 60 Commonwealth NGOs of which the
Commonwealth Nurses Federation is one. Others are the Commonwealth Medical
Association, the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association
and the Commonwealth Dental Association.
What is Commonwealth Day?
Commonwealth Day, the second Monday in March, is when members of the 53
countries of the Commonwealth celebrate their links with each other. Many cities
host multi-faith observance services. The largest is held in London at
Westminster Abbey, where the Queen’s Commonwealth Day message is read by the
Secretary-General. The message is also distributed throughout the Commonwealth
and broadcast by the BBC world service. Parliaments and legislatures mark the
day with speeches and events. Other celebrations include receptions, sports
tournaments and concerts.
What can nurses do to
celebrate Commonwealth Day?
There are lots of ways to celebrate
Commonwealth Day and the opportunity can be taken to impart some valuable
knowledge and skills at the same time. National nurses associations may wish to
consider arranging an activity around a particular theme such as:
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the diversity in health care provision
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the ways governments, organisations and
people can work together to improve health services provision
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leadership and the development of the roles of nurses and midwives
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maternal and child health
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reducing the incidence of infectious
diseases including HIV/AIDS
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reducing the incidence of
non-communicable diseases
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health promotion
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the work of the Commonwealth Steering
Committee for Nursing and Midwifery
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the work of the CNF.
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What specific activities can
be undertaken?
Some suggestions for
types of Commonwealth activities are:
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a local observance service (multi-faith,
where appropriate)
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a workshop with a
session drawing attention to the Commonwealth ideals and promoting the
Commonwealth Day theme
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a talk by someone from another
Commonwealth country on his/her country and its relationship with the
Commonwealth. This could be in conjunction with a celebratory lunch or workshop. It is
suggested that contact could be made in your country with the High Commission of
the country concerned to arrange a speaker.
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a meal (possibly with a function)
consisting of dishes from other Commonwealth countries
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a sporting event
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a tree planting ceremony.
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Websites
There is a Commonwealth Day website www.commonwealthday.com
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For more information contact:
Jill Iliffe
Executive Secretary
Commonwealth Nurses Federation
c/o Royal College of Nursing, 20 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0RN, UK
Tel: +61 438 647 252
Email:
jill@commonwealthnurses.org
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