President James Michel’s Commonwealth Day message-‘Together, we must serve as an example for humanity’ |12 March 2007
This comes in President James Michel’s message on the occasion of Commonwealth Day,
The full text of President Michel’s message reads:
“Today, I am pleased to join the fifty-three member countries of the Commonwealth family of nations as we celebrate Commonwealth Day 2007. This day holds special significance to nearly one billion people around the world as we celebrate our common bonds and the contribution of the Commonwealth Organisation to the creation of a harmonious global environment for the benefit of all.
“The theme of this year’s celebration; 'The Commonwealth: respecting difference, promoting understanding', is a reminder of our shared commitment in the Commonwealth Organisation to uphold the core values and principles of democracy, tolerance, diversity, human rights and sustainable socioeconomic development for all, despite our many differences.
“This theme gives timely focus to an area of critical importance in the process of national and regional development, global progress, and socio economic advancement of people everywhere. However, there is no doubt that what the Commonwealth has successfully accomplished through the spirit of friendship, understanding and cooperation, still remains as a daunting task on the global scale.
“While globalisation might have obliterated distances between nations to the point that we now refer to ourselves as a global village, the fact remains that our mental distances has changed little. Barriers between nations might have been concertinaed but without engendering the necessary respect, recognition and tolerance that must accompany it. While the sobering realities that unfold before us on a daily basis still serve to show that our world is still deeply fractured along the lines of differences, there is still hope that from the combined strength of our knowledge, our experiences and our ideas, rather than simply putting our differences apart, we rather learn to respect, understand and appreciate each other’s uniqueness.
“The Seychelles has always attached great importance to our association with the Commonwealth as a country which epitomizes its fundamental principles. The people of Seychelles is well aware of the fact that it is only when we respect and understand each other’s differences can we truly move forward as an individual and as a nation As we embark to promote our national theme for 2007, Together for the love of Seychelles, the people of Seychelles are confident that the Commonwealth will continue to provide a valuable and enduring forum for all small island developing states to partner with a number of other nations of the world, drawing on shared historical experiences and a common vision of the future to advance economic and political relations for the benefit of all people.
“Together, we must serve as an example for humanity. It is our collective responsibility in this rapidly changing global environment to confront these challenges. Commonwealth Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate our solidarity and to renew our commitment to greater international dialogue and co-operation. It is in this context that the people of Seychelles are pleased to mark Commonwealth Day 2007.”