The theme for Commonwealth Day 2024 is ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.’
What is the Commonwealth of Nations?
The Commonwealth of Nations is made up of countries with a shared legal system, history and value system. Values outlined in the Commonwealth charter include democracy, development and human rights.
Commonwealth Day celebrates the importance of the family of nations annually, emphasising the friendship and goodwill between the nations. The grouping focuses on shared responses to climate change and sustainable development. Many of its member states lead regional and global responses to the climate crisis.
This year’s Commonwealth Day theme emphasised the importance of member countries enhancing their resilience against future threats such as climate change. A common future for all Commonwealth states, according to the theme, is one where no member state gets left behind.
In this way, every Commonwealth state can realise their potential and hone their unique strengths in a deeply connected, digital Commonwealth.
Commonwealth countries putting this year’s theme into practice
Many Commonwealth states have already taken steps to ensure their resilience against disasters, embracing transformative change.
Notably, 33 Commonwealth countries are ‘small states’. Generally classified as states with populations of less than 1.5 million, small states such as the Commonwealth of Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis are helping to put Commonwealth values of sustainability and a resilient common future into practice.
Commonwealth of Dominica: a climate-resilient nation
The Commonwealth of Dominica, for example, is on a mission to become the first climate-resilient nation by 2040. The country is drilling two geothermal wells to extract clean energy, while also building a power plant and a transmission network to transport geothermal energy.
The country already has a hydropower plant and is building the capacity to export clean energy to nearby nations.
St Kitts and Nevis: A Sustainable Island Agenda for 2040
St Kitts and Nevis is another Commonwealth nation that is leading the region on sustainable development. The island nation is installing solar panels and is looking to diversify into other sustainable energy options such as geothermal and wind power.
The country has been praised for its 2040 Sustainable Island Agenda by the Caribbean National Bank.
The island has secured an agreement for the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage project in the Caribbean.
Ecotourism and sustainability
Both countries have diversified their economies via ecotourism, investing in eco-friendly hotels, environmentally friendly infrastructure and sustainable food initiatives for their tourism sector.
The Sunset Reef Hotel in St Kitts and Nevis, for example, utilises renewable energy. It also prioritises water conservation and bans single-use plastics on its property.
Commonwealth values: putting democracy, development and human rights into practice
In addition to sustainability, Commonwealth nations are also noted for their high levels of peace and cooperation, and work to further develop together socially and politically.
To achieve the values of democracy, development and human rights as set out in its charter, the Commonwealth also promotes fair trade and equal economic opportunities. It aims to empower marginalised peoples, women and youth populations.
Commonwealth Day will consist of joyous celebrations across the globe. Celebrations often consist of street parties, storytelling festivals, poetry performances, music events, dancing, sports, fashion shows, and flag ceremonies.
The Commonwealth family includes 2.5 billion individuals, all with different ways of approaching the Commonwealth celebrations, history and legacy.
Charles III, the Head of the Commonwealth, will attend a multi-cultural, multi-faith Commonwealth Day event at Westminster Abbey in London. The event will feature choirs, dancers and musicians.
Previous celebrations have been centred around themes including ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’ and ‘A Connected Commonwealth.’
A celebration for all
Commonwealth Day was an inclusive, global and vibrant celebration of all that the Commonwealth of Nations has to offer.
From small island states to large ones, all the members of the Commonwealth will united in celebrating the organisation as a force for resilience, sustainability, and democracy.
