March 8th 2010 – London, United Kingdom – Commonwealth Day 2010 took on special significance as the national flag of Rwanda was hoisted in a flag-raising Ceremony in the grounds of the Commonwealth Secretariat at Marlborough House in London. Rwanda was admitted as the 54th member of the Commonwealth at the Biennial Heads of Government Meeting held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in November of 2009.
Chairman-in-Office, The Hononourable Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General, formerly welcomed His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda into the Commonwealth Family.
Rwanda has been commended for the progress made towards the Commonwealth’s core values in areas including the rule of law, good governance, and equality of opportunity.
Of significance as International Women’s Day was also being celebrated, Rwandan women have gained International recognition being the first country in the world to have women in the majority in Parliament. (the 2008 elections recorded a 56.25 percentage of women parliamentarians).
Later in the day, High Commissioner for Grenada HE Ruth Elizabeth Rouse, joined other Commonwealth High Commissioners and members of Commonwealth Agencies, and specially invited guests, at Westminster Abbey for the Multi-faith Commonwealth Day Observance in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.
The day concluded with a Reception hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at Marlborough House.
The Theme for 2010 was specially chosen to take into consideration the present global challenges facing member states. It aims to remind Commonwealth Institutions that science underpins economic and social progress, and that access to technology is fundamental to equitability and the implementation of democracy.
The Grenadian Flag was proudly borne by Miss Dujonna Gift-Simms.
High Commission for Grenada
London
United Kingdom