Commonwealth Day
Since 1993 the CPA Secretariat has organised an increasingly popular programme for young Commonwealth citizens on Commonwealth Day which is designed to introduce young people to the significance and value of the Commonwealth and Parliamentary Democracy.
The CPA marks Commonwealth Day with youth activities in London and a bursary fund for Branches for activities of their own in other Commonwealth capitals. In London, 30 young people between the ages of 18 and 29 nominated by their Parliaments and Legislatures discuss the Commonwealth, the CPA and parliamentary democracy with British and Commonwealth Parliamentarians. They attend the Observance at Westminster Abbey in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and join the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s reception. In 2004 and 2005, the programme also included a one-day Youth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting for about 80 young people. In 2006, the CPA organized a Commonwealth Day programme hosted by the Parliament of New South Wales because Her Majesty The Queen was in Australia to open the Commonwealth Games.
Between 15 and 20 Parliaments and Legislatures a year receive small bursaries from the CPA to support activities for young people in their Houses. This programme introduces parliamentary democracy and the Commonwealth to many young people through such activities as essay competitions, Youth Parliaments, debates, poster competitions, school visits and websites launches
Follow-Up Seminar to Commonwealth Day
The CPA is anxious to reinforce the benefits of the Commonwealth Day event for young people through a fuller programme of discussions of familiarisation on Commonwealth and parliamentary matters for 10 to12 participants each year. The purpose of the seminar is to build on the Commonwealth Day programme by addressing some of the important issues facing the Commonwealth and parliamentary democracy in more detail than allowed for on Commonwealth Day itself.