Norfolk Island’s Representative at the 2011 Commonwealth Day Celebrations in London was Brent Adams … and he met and spoke with Her Majesty the Queen!

Elsewhere in the Norfolk Islander this week we have published Her Majesty the Queen’s 2011 Commonwealth Day Message together with an overview of how we celebrated Commonwealth Day at home here on Norfolk Island. Your Parliament Your Voice this week is focussing on Brent Adams who represented us in London on this special day.

Our picture shows Brent on the right speaking with Her Majesty and the Commonwealth Secretary General Mr. Kamalesh Sharma.

Brent has sent us his report on the day’s activities and we publish it in full below:

“On Monday 14^th March 2011, I was fortunate enough to be able to represent Norfolk Island at the Commonwealth Day celebrations held in London. Commonwealth Day is held on the second Monday in March each year, the Royal Commonwealth Society organises an observance to mark the occasion. The observance brings together people from across the world to celebrate the special partnership of nations, peoples and ideals which constitutes the modern Commonwealth.

“The Commonwealth is made up by 54 member states stretching to all corners of the globe and encompassing approximately two billion people, over half of whom are women and girls. It seemed appropriate then, that this year’s Commonwealth Day theme was “Women as Agents of Change”. I, along with 46 other young people from the Commonwealth travelled to London to take part in the celebrations, to learn more about the Commonwealth and Parliamentary processes, at the invitation of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). On Monday morning we met at the Palace of Westminster and were given a tour of both houses of the UK Parliament, the House of Commons and House of Lords. The history associated with the Palace complex is truly amazing, we walked the same halls that the likes of Winston Churchill have travelled, been in the same room where Kings have laid in state, or traitors have been tried (Guy Fawkes).

“After being welcomed by the CPA Secretary-General, Dr William Shija, we were given presentations about the work of MP’s as well as that of a High Commissioner. I must thank them for giving their time, Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods MP, Mr David Broom MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons & His Excellency Joseph Zammit Tabona, Malta’s High Commissioner to the UK. As this year’s Commonwealth Day theme was “Women as Agents of Change”, it was only fitting that the key note speaker to address our group was The Rt Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar MP, Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, the first woman to hold the office of PM in her country and one of only three women in the Commonwealth to currently serve as Head of Government. She spoke on the troubles that women face in the world and how investing in women and girls can accelerate social, economic and political progress. Prime Minister Bissessar will hand over her role as Chairperson in Office to Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard later this year when Perth will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

“After lunch, we walked the short distance from the CPA office to Westminster Abbey for the main Commonwealth Day Observance. The Observance is a multi-faith gathering, in the presence of HM The Queen & HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The Abbey must’ve had well over a thousand people in attendance and showcased the varying cultures of the Commonwealth with performances from some very talented artists.

“HM The Queen, as Head of the Commonwealth, gave the main address where she spoke on the special and significant role that women play in society and how more needs to be done to encourage women and girls. There followed presentations by other noted citizens of the Commonwealth, from poets to economists. As well as singer Annie Lennox (who I was lucky enough to meet after the service), who shared her experiences about a recent visit to Malawi and discussed her support for HIV/AIDS charities and foundations.

“Later in the evening there was a reception at Marlborough House, headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Of the 46 young people invited by the CPA to attend Commonwealth Day, only about 7 or so tickets were available for the reception, which I was fortunate enough to be one of. Despite there being a few hundred people at the reception, I was extremely honoured to be able to meet The Queen. We spoke briefly about Norfolk Island and about my University exchange here in the UK.

“This trip down to London, to attend Commonwealth Day and represent Norfolk Island, was a once in a life time event for me, and I am extremely honoured to be given the opportunity. In the space of only a day, I met some amazing people from all over the world, saw some incredible sights and have had the privilege to represent my country at this years gathering of the Commonwealth family of nations.

“I would like to thank the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Norfolk Island branch of the CPA, The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon. Robin Eleanor Adams, and would especially like to say a heart felt thank you to Mrs Gaye Evans, Clerk to the Legislative Assembly.”

Our picture shows young people from around the world chosen to represent their respective countries at the Commonwealth Day Celebrations in London – centre front is Secretary General of the CPA Dr William Shija.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 18 March 2011