Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration at CYP Africa

The Commonwealth Youth Programme Regional Centre for Africa (CYPRCA) joined other Commonwealth countries in celebrating Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee on the 4th June, 2012. The celebration, among others was used to reflect on the successes and focus on what the future holds for the Commonwealth and its member governments. Zambian Vice President Dr Guy Scott officiated the event with British High Commissioner to Zambia, James Thornton. The event was also attended by Commonwealth High Commissioners accredited to Zambia, Senior Government Officials, Diplomats, Young people and the general Zambian community.

To mark the event, the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) of the Commonwealth Secretariat lit a beacon at the CYP Offices. This wwas one of the several beacons lit across the Commonwealth member countries to celebrate 60 years of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the throne who is also the Head of the Commonwealth.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee marks 60 years since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne on 6th February 1952. Royal Jubilees celebrations signify important periods in the monarchs’ reigns and national life. This year, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will become the second United Kingdom (UK) monarch to mark 60 years on the throne and as the Head of the Commonwealth. Celebrations were previously held for Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977 and Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002.

This was an important event in the history of the Commonwealth because; The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent sovereign states, bound together not only by shared history and tradition but also by an ethos of respect for all states and peoples, of shared values and principles, and of concern for the vulnerable. A "family" of nations building on their common heritage in language, culture and education, which enables them to work together in an atmosphere of greater trust and understanding and all nations of the Commonwealth accept Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the symbol of their free association and thus Head of the Commonwealth.

For Zambia to be specific, it was an important event in that, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the country on 29th July, 1979 and met the First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and unveiled the plaque to mark the occasion of her visit to Commonwealth Youth Programme Regional Centre for Africa.

Zambia Vice President Dr Guy Scott with British High Commissioner to Zambia James Thornton and Commonwealth Youth Programme Africa Regional Director James Odit light the Beacon to mark the Diamond Jubilee in Lusaka Zambia.