Monmouthshire County Council joined other local authorities across the UK as for the first time Commonwealth Day was marked by flag raising events and ceremonies of dedication.
Joining Monmouthshire’s Chairman Councillor David Dovey and Leader Councillor Peter Fox at County Hall in Usk were town mayors, local officials and representatives from GAVO (Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations)..
Councillor Fox who read the Commonwealth affirmation described how the 53 sovereign states of the Commonwealth work together in mutual support towards shared goals of democracy, development and respect for diversity.
After the flag was raised Councillor Dovey read a message from HM the Queen and added; “Beyond the ties of history, language and institutions, members are united by values set out in the Charter of the Commonwealth including tolerance, freedom of expression, respect for human rights, the rule of law, protecting the environment, access to health, education, food and shelter, and gender equality.”
The Commonwealth includes some of the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries, with two billion citizens drawn from all faiths and ethnicities, half of them under 25 years old. Commonwealth countries are located in six regions – Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and the South Pacific.
