Guyana Celebrates Commonwealth Day

March 12, 2007

Source: Caribbean Net News

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-411--13-13--.html

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyana will join the 52 other Commonwealth nations around the world in celebrating Commonwealth Day 2007 on Monday March 12 under the theme selected by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, ‘Respecting Difference, Promoting Understanding’.

The first event planned on Commonwealth Day is an Interfaith Service at 10 am at the National Cultural Centre organised by the Commonwealth Day Planning Committee, which comprises the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre (CYPCC), government ministries and agencies, Commonwealth countries with Diplomatic Missions in Guyana, the CARICOM Secretariat, Iwokrama Centre for Rainforest Conservation and the Commonwealth Society of Guyana.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the prime minister, Sam Hinds, will attend the Interfaith Service which will be broadcast live on NCN Radio and attended by the Diplomatic Corps, government officials and about 800 students from public and private schools. Prayers will be offered by representatives of the Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Bahai faiths.

The ceremony will commence with a drum roll by the Guyana Police Force Band during which students will bear the flags of the Commonwealth Caribbean countries and the flags of Commonwealth countries with Diplomatic Missions in Guyana, into the auditorium of the National Cultural Centre. The flags will be mounted on stage for display throughout the ceremony.

Regional Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre, Mr. Henry Charles will deliver welcome remarks; Deputy Programme Manager at the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr Heather Johnson will give the feature address while Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Charles Court will make remarks on behalf of the Diplomatic Community.