commonwealth day 2014 presentation

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AustraliaThe Bahamas

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BruneiCameroon

CanadaCyprus

DominicaFiji

The GambiaGhana

GrenadaGuyana

IndiaJamaica

KenyaKiribati

LesothoMalawi

MalaysiaMaldives

MaltaMauritius

MozambiqueNamibia

NauruNew Zealand

NigeriaPakistan

Papua New GuineaSt Kitts & Nevis

St LuciaSt Vincent & Grenadines

SamoaSeychelles

Sierra LeoneSingapore

Solomon IslandsSouth Africa

Sri LankaSwazilandTanzania

TongaTrinidad & Tabago

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Commonwealth Day Council of NSW

Commonwealth Day 2014Commonwealth Day 2014

Presentation

Welcome to a special presentation for students to understand more about the Commonwealth of Nations

Commonwealth Day Monday 10 March 2014

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GrenadaGuyana

IndiaJamaica

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LesothoMalawi

MalaysiaMaldives

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The Commonwealth

Established in 1949 by the London Declaration

Voluntary organisation made up of sovereign states

Committed to development, cooperation and democratic development of nations

Managed by the Commonwealth Secretariat (political) and Commonwealth

Foundation (funding) with Head Office in London

Commonwealth Secretariat established since 1965

The Queen is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth

Day to day operations managed by a General Secretary with the support of 267

staff across the globe

Second largest international grouping of nations after the United Nations.

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BruneiCameroon

CanadaCyprus

DominicaFiji

The GambiaGhana

GrenadaGuyana

IndiaJamaica

KenyaKiribati

LesothoMalawi

MalaysiaMaldives

MaltaMauritius

MozambiqueNamibia

NauruNew Zealand

NigeriaPakistan



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Just the Facts

There are 53 nations in the Commonwealth

Nearly 2 billion people live in the Commonwealth

Over 50% of the Commonwealth is under 25 years of age

Every two years the Commonwealth Heads of Government

meet to discuss issues (CHOGM)Last meeting in Australia was held in Perth, October 2011

Chairman rotated between hosts of CHOGM

These meetings provide a unique forum for consultation

at the highest level of government.

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BangladeshBarbados

BelizeBotswana

BruneiCameroon

CanadaCyprus

DominicaFiji

The GambiaGhana

GrenadaGuyana

IndiaJamaica

KenyaKiribati

LesothoMalawi

MalaysiaMaldives

MaltaMauritius

MozambiqueNamibia

NauruNew Zealand

NigeriaPakistan



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Map of Countries

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BruneiCameroon

CanadaCyprus

DominicaFiji

The GambiaGhana

GrenadaGuyana

IndiaJamaica

KenyaKiribati

LesothoMalawi

MalaysiaMaldives

MaltaMauritius

MozambiqueNamibia

NauruNew Zealand

NigeriaPakistan



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Current Issues in the Commonwealth

Nations have differing views on issues depending on their stage of development and political climateHow to combat terrorism through international cooperationHealth issues focusing on contagious diseases

Especially in African nationsAvailability of inexpensive treatments

Climate change and environmental protectionGreenhouse effectDevelopment vs pollution

Where the Commonwealth is heading and why it existsIssues of Tolerance, Mutual Respect and Understanding

Religious differencesCivil warsChild abuseDiscrimination - Racial, Gender etc.

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BruneiCameroon

CanadaCyprus

DominicaFiji

The GambiaGhana

GrenadaGuyana

IndiaJamaica

KenyaKiribati

LesothoMalawi

MalaysiaMaldives

MaltaMauritius

MozambiqueNamibia

NauruNew Zealand

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Major Commonwealth Programs

The Commonwealth is active in a number of areas including development, democracy, debt management and trade.The programs cover areas such as:

SustainabilityEducationHealthYouthHuman rightsSport

For more information go to

www.thecommonwealth.org

www.commday.org.au

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The GambiaGhana

GrenadaGuyana

IndiaJamaica

KenyaKiribati

LesothoMalawi

MalaysiaMaldives

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Commonwealth Day

Celebrates the achievements and people of the

Commonwealth

Held on the second Monday in March each year

Marked by events all over the world

Largest celebration held in Westminster Abbey and

attended by the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth

2012 celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty - 60

years as the UK Monarch and 60 years as Head of the

Commonwealth and 2013 celebrated the sixtieth

anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation

Commonwealth Mace is carried during the service

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GrenadaGuyana

IndiaJamaica

KenyaKiribati

LesothoMalawi

MalaysiaMaldives

MaltaMauritius

MozambiqueNamibia

NauruNew Zealand

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Theme

Each year a theme is set for Commonwealth Day.

The theme for 2014 is:

‘‘ ‘‘Team Commonwealth’Team Commonwealth’

The theme reflects the spirit of friendship and the drive towards achieving shared goals and

values that exist between the Commonwealth’s member countries. Team spirit brings the

enormous strength of solidarity, unity and of collective striving for greater achievement.

Share your ideas and stories on the Commonwealth theme

https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthDay

More information and resources are available from More information and resources are available from

www.commonwealththeme.orgwww.commonwealththeme.org

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GrenadaGuyana

IndiaJamaica

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LesothoMalawi

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Young People

Young people make up half of the 2 billion population of the CommonwealthYoung citizens of the Commonwealth can make positive contributions to society by being agents of social changeYoung people will lead the Commonwealth into the future in their role as leaders and responsible citizens

The Commonwealth will continue to promote democracy, good governance, justice, development and growth so that a new generation of its citizens can enjoy lives of dignity, peace and prosperity.

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The Commonwealth works to instil in young people the spirit of peace, social cohesion and harmony, multiculturalism, commitment for human rights, respect and understanding, freedom, equality and moral values.

Young People cont’d.

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DominicaFiji

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IndiaJamaica

KenyaKiribati

LesothoMalawi

MalaysiaMaldives

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Purpose

The Commonwealth Day Council of NSW was

established by Donald Ramsey and Tom Harvey in

1984 to promote and celebrate Commonwealth Day

The purpose of the Commonwealth Day Council of NSW is to:

Promote the benefits of the Commonwealth and its countries

Support the Australia Youth Trust which provides scholarships for education, arts and medical assistance to young people

The Patron of the Commonwealth Day Council is Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales.

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The Co-Hosts of the Commonwealth Day is the President of the Legislative Council, the Hon. Don Harwin, MLC and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Hon. Shelley Hancock MP.

A number of high profile people sit on the CouncilCommonwealth and State Government representatives

Diplomats and Consuls General

Business leaders

Leaders in Education and the Arts.

Purpose cont’d.

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Main EventNSW Governor attends the lunch held at NSW Parliament HouseEvents have also been held at a

Service in St Andrew’s Cathedral with Her MajestyReception at Admiralty House then Sydney based Hotel.

Approximately 250 guests attend the luncheon from a wide cross section of the community:

Corporate Companies, Associations, ethnic communities, Royal Overseas League, Royal Commonwealth Society, Members of Parliament (State/Federal) and distinguished guests.

Over 100 school students perform at the eventA guest speaker is invited to give the occasional address.

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Key Speakers and Guests

Key speakers and guests in past years have included:Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth

The late Diana, Princess of Wales

Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales

Mr Mick Keelty APM, Former Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police

The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG, Former Justice of the High Court of Australia

General Peter Cosgrove AC MC, Former Chief of the Australian Defence Forces

Professor Ian Plimer B.Sc.(Hons), Ph.D.

Sir Ian Turbott, AO CVO CMG, Hon Consul, Cook Islands

Mr Robyn Williams AM

Mr Edmund Capon AM OBE Former Director, Art Gallery of NSW

Mr Nick McInnes British Consul-General

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Special Guest Speaker

Special Guest Speaker for 2014

Mr David Murray AO

Former CEO Commonwealth Bank and Future Fund Chairman.

David has an outstanding career in the business financial sector transforming the Commonwealth Bank from a partly privatised bank to a $49 billion integrated financial services company are amongst

some of his many achievements.

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Australia Youth TrustAustralia Youth TrustThe Australia Youth Trust is a company limited by guarantee established to provide the following:

Financial support to commonwealth and other agencies providing relief programs to young people suffering from poverty, illness, exploitation and abuse in developing countriesProvide better opportunities for young people and their families including literacy, education, employment and training programsProvide funding for students to travel, study and work in a developing commonwealth country.The Australia Youth Trust was launched in October 1996 at a special event held with the late Diana, Princess of Wales as Guest of Honour. The Chairman of the Trust is the Hon Max Willis RFD ED CSI.

Tom Harvey Award for CitizenshipThis is one of the key Awards as granted by the Australia Youth Trust. The Awards is open to Australian citizens, aged between 15 and 30 years and to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the community.

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Special Debate

Held on Commonwealth Day in March

Students participate in NSW Parliament House in the

Legislative Assembly Chamber

NSW Public Schools Team verses Other School Group Teams

Topic of debate related to theme for Commonwealth Day

‘that the Commonwealth Games should include Cricket’

Winning team announced at the luncheon

Cash prizes for all teams

All welcome to come and hear the debate commencing at

9.45am on Commonwealth Day 10 March 2014.

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A new network

The Commonwealth Day Council is the Australian Chapter of the Friends of the Commonwealth Country Chapters

We welcome you to become a Friend of the Commonwealth – a forum for learning, discussion and participation in the work of the Commonwealth. Go to www.commonwealthfriends.org or

Join us on Facebook www.commday.org.au

Photography by Ian Bird Photography

commonwealth day 2014 presentation

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