Today we celebrate Commonwealth Day under the theme ‘A peace-building Commonwealth’.
Fifty-two countries will come together on Monday 13 March 2017 to celebrate Commonwealth Day under the theme ‘A Peace-building Commonwealth’.
Commonwealth Day, held on the second Monday in March each year, is an opportunity for individuals, communities and organisations to promote the Commonwealth’s shared values of peace, democracy and equality, and to celebrate the association’s rich diversity.
The day will be marked across the globe by a range of activities, including a multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey in London. This service is traditionally attended by Her Majesty The Queen, the Head of the Commonwealth, High Commissioners, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, and dignitaries from across the Commonwealth, as well as senior politicians and 800 school children.
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Announcing the 2017 theme...
Event calendar
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Launch of 'Commonwealth Peace in the home: Ending domestic violence together' This initiative will be officially launched on International Women's Day as part of the larger strategy focused on ‘A Peace-building Commonwealth’ – the theme for Commonwealth Day and the rest of the year. More information |
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Commonwealth Trade Forum Hosted by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, the Trade Forum is an opportunity to develop and define an enhanced Commonwealth Trade Strategy. More information |
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Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting |
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Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth This year over 1,000 individual flag-flying ceremonies are predicted to take place on Commonwealth Day. More information |
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Commonwealth Day Commemoration at the Memorial Gates A service of remembrance and the laying of wreaths at the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill in London. |
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Launch of The Queens Baton Relay The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) has been a traditional curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games since the Cardiff 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. More information |
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The Commonwealth Service: A Celebration of the Commonwealth The Service is the biggest multi-faith celebration in the United Kingdom and takes the form of an hour-long service at Westminster Abbey, London, featuring a mixture of testimonies, readings, hymns and musical performances. The Service is by invitation only. More information |
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Commonwealth Day Reception The Commonwealth Secretary-General hosts a reception attended by representatives of the 52 member countries of the Commonwealth at the Commonwealth Secretariat's headquarters, Marlborough House in London. The evening will commemorate the Commonwealth Theme of 'A Peace-building Commonwealth'. The Reception is by invitation only. |
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High Commissioners' Banquet Hosted at Guildhall, London, attendees at the dinner will include High Commissioners from the 52 Commonwealth nations, senior figures from the Commonwealth family, and key individuals from the worlds of politics, civil society, business and sport. The Banquet is by invitation only. |
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Annual Commonwealth Gala Performance and Presentation by the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra & Choirs at Marlborough House The Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir brings together communities across the Commonwealth through music, transcending cultural, political, social and economic boundaries. |
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Commonwealth Youth Awards The awards recognise outstanding young people under the age of 30 from Commonwealth countries whose work has significantly contributed to local, national, regional and global development. Over 300 nominations were received this year. More information |