Guyana observes Commonwealth Day 2019
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97DTgAP2dUk” width=”100%” height=”315″]
― Min. Henry calls for continued cohesion among member states
― largest student participation in the event
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, March 12, 2019
As Guyana joins 52 other nations in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the formation of the Commonwealth, Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry along with members of the diplomatic corps underscored the importance of diversity in education and connectivity among the fifty-three commonwealth nations, at an exhibition and ceremony, last evening.
The event, held at the Umana Yana, saw participation from several primary and secondary schools from 11 education districts around Guyana in the form of exhibitions and cultural performances. It was envisaged that the activity would inculcate greater connectivity, research and learning opportunities for the students as well as to build tolerance for all cultures and peoples.
Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry highlighted Guyana’s achievements and role in the development of the Commonwealth.
“Guyana has been and continues to be connected to the Commonwealth values, offering opportunities to Commonwealth nations as well as working together for a better world… Activities like this provide the ideal platform for global networking and sharing of ideas,” the minister stated.
Education should not be limited to classroom teaching, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland posited. To this end, the Parliament Office of Guyana took the decision to involve youth in the celebration, through exhibitions and cultural involvement.
“It is our firm belief that the education a child receives should go beyond learning that which is contained in the school’s curriculum, rather there should be a broader approach and an awakening of their desire about the world at large in which we live,” the House Speaker said.
![Reon Miller, Best Debater [University of Guyana], National Youth Parliament 2018](https://i0.wp.com/dpi.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MNP5391.jpg?w=372&h=248&ssl=1 "_MNP5391")
Also, present at the engagement were the Canadian, British, Indian, and Australian Ambassadors to Guyana who all echoed the minister’s sentiments and called for continued support throughout the nations.
“This year’s theme encourages all 2.4 Billion people within the commonwealth to connect and come together to protect our shared environment, the Canadian High Commissioner,” High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee noted.
Commonwealth Day 2019 was held on March 11 worldwide.
The theme for 2019 is ‘A Connected Commonwealth’, which offers opportunities for the people, governments and institutions of the richly diverse family of nations to connect and work together.
Nateshia Isaacs
Images: Marceano Narine