I was asked to write up a special occasion on Monday - thought you'd like to read it
Thoughts about ringing for Commonwealth Day
When I was a Girl Guide, one of the few compulsory badges to become a Queen’s Guide was The Commonwealth Badge. With extensive projects about faraway places, it required a lot of research and writing, and back then I wasn’t inclined to do what looked like ever more homework! Yet the very fact the badge existed and we were encouraged to learn about those faraway places, gave us a perspective that the world was a bigger place than just our little village.
I see that now the Guides offer a Commonwealth Award, open to all members living in Commonwealth countries. They will learn that there are 16 principles of The Commonwealth Charter, which express the commitment of member states to the development of free and democratic societies and the promotion of peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all the people of The Commonwealth.
https://thecommonwealth.org/charter
For the Queen herself, this voluntary organisation of diverse nations, was her pride and joy. Those who are willing to believe that The Commonwealth is The Empire v2.0 are often surprised to learn that countries that were never colonised by the British are enthusiastic members. This year Togo and The Gabon in West Africa became members, joining Mozambique as former French colonies.
Rwanda has had a troubled history over the last century; colonised by Germany then Belgium, and the ghastly genocide. Yet it has also joined, receiving help with nation building, running elections and practical support for its Youth. Last year it hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, becoming a focus of the world’s attention for all the right reasons. Today, in Westminster Abbey, the foreign minister from Rwanda read the lesson and their National Ballet stormed up the nave!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m ... h-day-2023
Also given a central role was a young lady from Samoa, who shares the King’s passion for the environment. Samoa is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and has half the population of South-East Dorset, yet through the Commonwealth they too will become centre stage next year, when they have their turn in hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The Pacific nation of Nauru is the smallest Commonwealth member country with a population of about 13,000 which is about 3X the population of our village. The particular needs of small states are one of the principles of the Commonwealth charter; the organisation gives them a voice and a link with a network of friendly nations.
And, so it was on Commonwealth Day, on a dark damp evening, a small number of intrepid bellringers rang in our village church to celebrate 10 years of the Commonwealth Charter. Across the globe in faraway places, others were doing the same, celebrating an organisation which has become such a force for good in the world.
Viv
(Hmm – looks like I’ve just done some homework on The Commonwealth – can I now have my badge, please?)
