Form Six students from secondary schools throughout T&T gathered at the office of Parliament in Port-of-Spain to observe Commonwealth Day 2013 on Tuesday.The event, which was held in the J Hamilton Maurice Room of the parliamentary office, centered around the Commonwealth Day theme for 2013–Opportunity Through Enterprise.
Among secondary schools represented were Barrackpore East Secondary, Carapichaima East Secondary, Arima Central Secondary, Woodbrook Secondary, Blanchisseuse Secondary, Success Laventille Secondary and Bishop's High School in Tobago. In his address, House Speaker Wade Mark told students Commonwealth Day 2013 presented an opportunity to highlight the importance of initiative, resilience and innovation in attaining one's goals.
Mark said the year was special in that it marked the first time after 64 years that all 54 member states had committed themselves to the Charter of the Commonwealth, agreeing to "uphold basic values, such as democracy and human rights, and to produce respect and tolerance."He said he hoped the information provided at the event would inspire students to become resilient and productive citizens for the betterment of T&T.
He urged them to remember that in the quest for success, they should be willing to assist others, through promoting respect, tolerance and understanding within their communities.Also present at the event was President of the Senate Timothy Hamel-Smith who said Commonwealth Day celebrated linkages among Commonwealth member-countries and promoted concepts of friendship, co-operation and mutual respect among all nations.
He said the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association was quite active in assisting members in strengthening democratic processes, establishing human rights and addressing issues in education, gender and health.Of particular importance, he said, was the association's effort to empower young people through its Commonwealth Youth Programme.
"As members of the Commonwealth, each of us has the opportunity to make our voice heard and to make our input into the development of a better world as envisioned by you the students of T&T," Hamel-Smith said.He said he recognised that young people were the source of creativity, energy and innovation and hope the students would leave the event having learnt a great deal about non-traditional job opportunities and entrepreneurial activities.
Interactive presentations were put on by representative from ExporTT, the National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited (NEDCO) and the Central Bank of T&T.