Message from President Danny Faure on the occasion of Commonwealth Day 2018

12 March 2018

Tomorrow, Seychelles joins 52 other commonwealth nations to celebrate the common ties and shared values that form the basis of a solid union.

Headed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Commonwealth family includes more than two billion people, and various cultures, languages, and backgrounds. Diversity and inclusion forms a proven path to peace and prosperity, as together we champion the shared values of democracy, free speech, human rights and the rule of law.

This year’s theme “Towards a common future” aims to address global challenges and build a better future for all citizens through fairness, prosperity, sustainability, and security.

Here in Seychelles, this year’s theme is significant as we forge a unified future together. We encourage active citizenship, and urge all our citizens to commit themselves to securing a better future for Seychelles.

As an organisation, the Commonwealth is active in supporting the aspirations of the youth. Seychelles is a strong advocate of youth empowerment, and believes in the importance of moulding the leaders of tomorrow. This year, our youth delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London will have the unique opportunity to express the challenges they face on an international platform. The Commonwealth Games in April in Gold Coast, Australia will be another event where young athletes from Seychelles will have the opportunity to compete with other members of the Commonwealth. We also honour the vital role that the Commonwealth plays in our higher education. Every year we receive Commonwealth scholarships which many Seychellois benefit from.

My best wishes to Gambia for their recent reinstatement to the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth family is steadily growing stronger, and the valuable coalition amongst the Commonwealth nations is symbolic of the way towards a fair, prosperous, sustainable and secure future.

Seychelles is proud of its membership of the Commonwealth. As members we are bound together by our history, language, and institutions; but also united through our shared values of freedom, peace, rule of law and opportunities for all. The vision that is the hallmark of the Commonwealth, the consensus, and the scope of our association, remains relevant more than ever before, especially with emerging global challenges.

On this day, Seychelles joins members of the Commonwealth family around the world in commemorating Commonwealth Day. I invite all Seychellois to use today as an opportunity to learn more about the shared history and values that bind the peoples of the Commonwealth.