Commonwealth Day is an annual event during which all the fifty-four member countries of the Commonwealth celebrate their links with one another. Commonwealth Day is held on the second Monday in March, and the day is celebrated around the world -- from the Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty The Queen, who issues a special message, through Commonwealth Prime Ministers and Presidents to the citizens of the Commonwealth, particularly school children. Everyone celebrates in their own way, from official receptions to school assemblies, sports tournaments to concerts, multi-faith observances to tree-planting ceremonies.

The CPA (Scotland Branch) generally celebrates Commonwealth Day on the Wednesday following Commonwealth Day because the Scottish Parliament does not sit on Mondays.

2006

On Thursday 16 March 2006 the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Scotland Branch) celebrated Commonwealth Day at the Scottish Parliament. Each year, the Commonwealth selects a theme with ‘Health and Vitality’ being chosen for 2006.

A cross party delegation, representing the CPA (Scotland Branch had recently visited Malawi where health issues are significant as is the case in many developing countries.

Organisations that had an interest in the development of Malawi were invited to observe the debate. Organisations and individuals with potential interest in Malawi were also invited to attend in the hope that interest in Malawi would be encouraged. Those invited included local authorities, health professionals and academics. The External Liaison Unit researched the majority of the contact addresses for those invited to attend. 

Dr Sylvia Jackson MSP tabled the following motion:

That the Parliament recognises the valuable role of the Commonwealth in strengthening relationships between nations across the world; welcomes the continued contribution of Scotland and its people to those relationships; reaffirms its support for the work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; notes that this year the CPA Scotland Branch and the Executive have, as a key focus, continued to develop relationships with Malawi; notes Scotland’s longstanding work particularly in the area of health throughout the Commonwealth; and commends the theme of Commonwealth Day this year, “Health and Vitality – the Commonwealth Challenge”, which highlights the relevance of health, as illustrated in the United Nation Millennium Development Goals.

During the debate the delegation shared their experiences and knowledge gained from the recent visit to Malawi with contributions being made from past Members who had visited in 2005. 

Following the debate Dr Sylvia Jackson MSP plus other Members from the cross party delegation delivered a powerpoint presentation, to all guests. Afterwards, guests were invited to continue discussions with Members of the delegation and to use the opportunity to network.

2005

The theme for Commonwealth Day 2005 was 'Education - creating opportunity, realising potential'.

In previous years, the Branch has very much focussed on the theme for that particular year however due to a visit by a cross party delegation visit to Africa in February 2005 the focus widened to issues around poverty in Africa.

The Branch Executive Committee put forward a motion which was debated by Members on Thursday 17 March to heighten the profile of Africa and provide a platform for Members to share their knowledge and direct experience with other Members and the wider community. 

Thirteen Members took part in the debate and over 200 people observed the debate from the Public Gallery.

The Official Report of proceedings is available on the Scottish parliament’s website at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-05/sor0317-02.htm#Col15581

In addition the report of the CPA Scotland Branch cross party delegation’s visit was also published that day and attracted interest from people interested in Southern Africa. This report is available at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/cpa/docs/cpa-vs-0501.pdf

The Branch worked closely with Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on International Development (IDG) to secure the attendance of the Secretary General of the Commonwealth to address Members at a meeting of IDG on Thursday 17 March.

Other significant events with parliamentary links also took place in Scotland during Commonwealth Week.

The Royal Commonwealth Society re-convened the Scottish Branch of the Society. The official launch took place on Thursday 17 March at the Scottish Parliament. The Presiding Officer, the Rt. Hon George Reid MSP accepted the invitation to become the new President of the Society and attended the inaugural meeting.

A photographic display and footage of the CPA cross party delegation’s visit to Africa was mounted in the area around the First Level Dining Room on Thursday 17 March to raise awareness of the contribution Scotland and Scottish society make to Africa.

Members from the North East region attended the Commonwealth Local Government Conference 2005 (CLGC) from 15-17 March at the AECC in Aberdeen. The Scotland Branch hosted a lunch for the delegates and key Speakers. (David Davidson MSP attended the conference on behalf of Scotland Branch. 

The Convenor of the Local Government and Transport Committee led a study tour for delegates as part of the official conference programme on Thursday 17 March at the King’s College Conference Centre in Aberdeen.

Scotland Branch are also particularly keen to raise knowledge of the Commonwealth among Scots by involving academics, students and civil society organisations wherever possible in Branch activities. This is achieved by developing links with all Scottish organisations who engage with the Commonwealth; and exploring ways in which young people could be encouraged to develop an interest in the Commonwealth. Therefore CPA Scotland Branch also sponsored 2 young people to attend the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Commonwealth Day events in London. The Commonwealth Day programme organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association brought together twenty young people from different countries and legislatures within the Commonwealth for two days of events in London. 

Overall Commonwealth Week 2005 was one of the most successful to date. This week allowed the branch to promote and share interests about various aspects of the Commonwealth not only with people in Scotland but with visitors from a range of Commonwealth countries. 

2004

The Scottish Parliament commemorated Commonwealth Day 2004 on Wednesday 10 March by holding a Members' debate and the Presiding Officer and President of the Branch George Reid MSP hosted an evening reception in the Rainy Hall, Faculty of divinity, Mound Place Edinburgh.

The theme for Commonwealth Day was ‘Building a Commonwealth of Freedom ' and the Members’ debate asked the Parliament to recognise the valuable role of the Commonwealth in strengthening relationships between nations across the world.

All MSPs, Commonwealth High Commissioners, Consul Generals and members of the public with an interest in the Commonwealth were invited to attend both the debate and the reception. In addition, more than 40 students from the Commonwealth who are currently studying at Scottish Universities were also invited.

The Secretary General of the Commonwealth, the Rt Hon Don McKinnon was also invited to join in the Commonwealth Day celebrations at the Scottish Parliament, and the Secretary-General made an address about the Commonwealth to over 100 invited guests at the reception

Nineteen Commonwealth countries were represented at the event including: Bangladesh, Barbados, Canada, Ghana, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand , Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lankan and Trinidad & Tobago.

2003

The theme for Commonwealth Day 2003 is "Partners in Development" and as with previous years the CPA will be involving youth from across the Commonwealth in its commemorations.

The Executive Committee have agreed that for 2003, the Scotland Branch will be hosting a reception for all Members and other guests with academic/industrial connections to the Commonwealth. The event will be used to provide information on the CPA, and to promote the work of the Scotland Branch.

A small number of Branch Members, who have attended CPA events in the past 3 years, will be invited to give short speeches/presentations on the seminar/conference they attended.

2002

The Executive Committee decided to mark the day in a way designed to raise the profile of the Parliament within the Commonwealth. A Members' debate was held on Wednesday 13 March on Scotland's relationship with the Commonwealth. The debate highlighted amongst other things, the links that the Scottish Parliament has already begun to forge with fellow CPA Branches. It gave Members the opportunity to express views about forthcoming priorities in developing relationships within the Commonwealth.

Following the Members' debate the Presiding Officer hosted a reception for all Members and other invited guests, which included consular representatives of Commonwealth countries and Commonwealth students studying at Scottish universities.

2001

For Commonwealth Day 2001, the Scotland Branch organised a visit to the Scottish Parliament for 16 school children plus teachers from across Scotland. During the visit the children were able to meet with Members, tour the parliamentary complex, the new site at Holyrood and see behind the scenes on how the Scottish Parliament operates. This visit was a great success for all involved.