Report on Commonwealth Day celebrations in Parliament Buildings, 11 March 2002

The President of the Northern Ireland Assembly Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association suggested a meeting of the Executive Committee in order to discuss how the branch intended to celebrate Commonwealth Day.

The Executive Committee met on 3 December 2001 to discuss ideas for the celebration of Commonwealth Day in Parliament Buildings. They agreed to

• Host a reception in the Long Gallery and invite Commonwealth Games medallists along with a selection of students from Commonwealth countries who are studying here.
• Organise a competition for all primary 7 school children using the theme "Celebrating Diversity".

A sub committee was formed to include Mrs Joan Carson, Mr Roger Hutchinson, Mr Denis Watson, Mr Arthur Moir, Mr John Torney and Mr John Ross. Their role was to oversee the work and provide assistance with ideas and planning for the event.

Work began immediately using guidelines and suggestions from the sub committee regarding the competition and opening up the invitation list to a wider audience. Notice of the competition was issued to all the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards inviting all primary schools in the province to take part.

A guest list was drawn up to include all Commonwealth Games medallists presently living in N Ireland, representatives from ethnic minority groups, students from Commonwealth countries studying here and all the MLA's.

Mr Mark Adair, Community Relations Council accepted an invitation to display their Commonwealth Day exhibition in the Long Gallery and Mr Michael McGimpsey, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure would launch it as part of the multimedia exhibition.

A programme was designed to include Lord Glentoran as guest speaker, Mr Michael McGimpsey, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure to launch the exhibition and The Messengers choir who were on tour from Uganda.

A team arrived early on Commonwealth Day, 11 March to set up three large displays for the multimedia exhibition in the Long Gallery. The Overseas Office took charge of the displays for the winning entries for the schools competition, which had been judged earlier by the sub committee.

The celebrations began with a welcome by The President of the Northern Ireland Assembly Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Lord Alderdice. The Messengers choir from Uganda put on an impressive performance of song and dance in their colourful traditional costumes. Minister Michael McGimpsey launched the multimedia exhibition on behalf of Community Relations Council. Lord Glentoran, the keynote speaker, gave a speech reflecting on the importance of the Commonwealth in all areas of life. The choir returned with another song and dance routine assisted by some school children.

The President announced the winners of the competition and presented the prizes.

The overall winner:

• Hillsborough Primary School

  Runners-up:

• Bellaghy Primary School
• Knockbreda Primary School
• Stranmillis Primary School

A buffet lunch including a variety of food from India, was served to complete a colourful, eventful, memorable Commonwealth Day.

Conclusion:

Overall Commonwealth Day can be viewed as a great success. There have been many positive comments received from all those who participated in the events. I would like to thank the staff in the Overseas Office, Officers of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Members for contributing to such a wonderful day.