Commonwealth Day

Commonwealth Day message from Malta Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi

For over thirty years, the second Monday in March has marked Commonwealth Day – a day in which Commonwealth member countries pause to celebrate the unique international organisation which binds them all together; an organisation which today encompasses 54 independent states spanning six continents and oceans, an organisation which is home to two billion people who are among the richest and the poorest, most powerful and most vulnerable in the world, people of all faiths and ethnicities, who neverthless work so capably together that one can speak of a “Commonwealth family”. This family, our family, has this year picked a very apt and judicious theme for this year’s Commonwealth Day, ‘Science, Technology and Society’.

During the last century science and technology have made great leaps forward to improve the lifestyles of people around the world. Progress in the fields of health, education, agriculture, energy, enterprise, infrastructure, democracy and administration witnesses the revolution brought forward by science and technology.

This scientific revolution was the springboard for sustainable development that led to the foundation for strong economies and knowledge-based industries. During that last couple of decades, scientists and Nobel Prize winners renowned worldwide for their scientific discoveries have contributed in no small way to transform the lives of citizens across the globe. Scientific discoveries have been fundamental to underpin and address challenges concerned with health, environment and climate change, information and communication technology, food and agriculture, energy and alternative sources.

The last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago recognised the importance of science and technology and its contribution to development. In The Declaration of Port of Spain: Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future, Heads of Government committed themselves to increase funding in science and technology, they agreed to encourage innovative ways of merging public investment with private entrepreneurship – thus boosting creativity in the small and medium-sized industrial sector.

Conscious of the current global challenges facing society at large, the Commonwealth countries are expected to enhance their focus on science and technology in view of bettering the quality of life for their citizens. The Millennium Development Goals, the key targets set ten years ago to reduce poverty, hunger and illiteracy, have made only adequate progress; however through an investment in science and technology, the Commonwealth shall strive further to fully achieve these aims.

Having always been a forward-looking organisation, it comes as no surprise that the Commonwealth chose ‘Science, Technology and Society’ as the theme for Commonwealth Day. In looking at the prospects of Commonwealth societies and beyond, science and technology stand out as a way to ensure that generations to come are able to enjoy a future which is sustainable and prosperous.