Commonwealth celebrates 60 years of international development

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – EVERY year, the second Monday of March is celebrated as Commonwealth Day in its Member States, and this year the organization celebrates 60 years of existence under the theme “Serving a new generation”.

The Commonwealth is an association of 53 independent states consulting and cooperating in the common interest of their people and in the promotion of international understanding. It is active in a number of areas including development, democracy, debt management and trade and seeks to promote international cooperation and the role of the modern Commonwealth. 

In his Commonwealth address to the nation, Alternate Commonwealth Youth Ambassador of St. Kitts-Nevis Azard Gumbs stressed that this year’s theme is timely as it places much attention on the role of youth. He said it is essential that the nation celebrates the link among the members of the Commonwealth as the organization serves to foster greater global relationships.

“As young people, it important we realize that we are the new generation. It is of equal importance for us to understand the struggles of our people: our ancestors experienced firsthand the horrors of slavery, our ancestors would have struggled through colonialism and fought for independence. Indeed, we have overcome much.

“The youth need to become more involved in national debates and seek solutions for social issues that face our region and the world at large. If the Commonwealth is to see another 60 years and if St. Kitts-Nevis is to remain as a Commonwealth member country for another 60 years, then it is dependent on us – the youth – as we are the leaders of tomorrow.

“The Commonwealth not only represents an inter-governmental body but a global pool of intellectual power that can change the world we live in once adequately maximized. Whether this change is positive or negative again is dependent on us.”

Gumbs referenced the work of Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, noting that in a world without social, political or economic boundaries, solutions to global issues will only be reached by including youth. The Alternate Youth Ambassador underscored the need for re-examination of the region’s approach to youth-related issues noting that the genre must be given the opportunity to shape the world they will inherit.

The Federation joined the Commonwealth in 1983 upon attaining independence and has since been committed to inter-governmental cooperation to advance development and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.