To facilitate business, educational and cultural collaborations between Cheshire and the Commonwealth
Commonwealth Day 2023
Commonwealth Day will take place on Monday 13 March, 2023, marking the beginning of a week-long series of events and activities happening around the globe – including faith and civic gatherings, debates, school assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural events.
Commonwealth Day 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter, which was signed by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 11 March 2013.
This will be the first Commonwealth Day since Her Majesty’s passing, and the first presided over by His Majesty King Charles III as King and Head of the Commonwealth.
The theme for Commonwealth Day 2023 is ‘Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’. The theme combines the active commitment of member states to support the promotion of peace, prosperity and sustainability, especially through climate action, so as to secure a better future for our young people and improve the lives of all Commonwealth citizens.
The Cheshire Commonwealth Association
The Cheshire Commonwealth Association (CCA) was established under the guidance of David Briggs, CVO, MBE KStJ and retired Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, to encourage awareness of the Commonwealth throughout Cheshire. It aims to ensure that the many benefits of business and educational collaborations with the Commonwealth are both nurtured and maximised across the County.
I really believe that there are some wonderful opportunities for Cheshire companies to trade with businesses in the Commonwealth.
My own experience of visiting many of these countries from Singapore and Fiji to India and Australia to Kenya and South Africa is that these and so many more members of the Commonwealth really value their relationship with Britain and they want to do business with us. In many there are of course also the advantages of a common language and importantly a legal system based on English Common Law which makes doing business with these countries relatively easy.
For any Cheshire company looking to expand its exports I encourage you to consider the opportunities in many Commonwealth countries .
I also hope that the Cheshire Commonwealth Association will enable you to learn about opportunities and to meet others already trading in these countries who can give you invaluable introductions. If we all work together we can all benefit.
David Briggs CVO, M.B.E., KStJ.
Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire
Patron, Cheshire Commonwealth Association
The Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth is one of the oldest political association of states. Its roots go back to the British Empire, although the association we know today came into being in 1949.
The modern Commonwealth covers the six regions of Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific. Thirty-one members are small states, many of which are island nations.
Membership is based on free and equal voluntary co-operation and is made up of 56 countries, and home to 2.4 billion people (approximately 1/3 of the world), working together for prosperity, democracy and peace.
The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) is the world's oldest international schools' writing contest, established by the Royal Commonwealth Society in 1883.
With thousands of young people taking part each year, it is an important way to recognise achievement, elevate youth voices and develop key skills through creative writing.
The QCEC is proudly delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society, of which the Cheshire Commonwealth Association is an affiliated organisation.
Watch The Queen's Commonwealth Day message 2021
"Stirring examples of courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty have been demonstrated in every Commonwealth nation and territory."
Her Majesty The Queen
