Monday 13 March, Jersey’s branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) marked Commonwealth Day 2023. Commonwealth Day, which is held every year on the second Monday of March, is a celebration of unity, diversity and the links of the modern Commonwealth.
The CPA is one of the largest international organisations which brings together parliamentarians from hundreds of countries across the Commonwealth to promote equality, human rights and parliamentary democracy as well as share learnings. Jersey has been a member of the Association since 1961.
The Jersey CPA branch promotes parliamentary best practice and the values of the Commonwealth in Jersey’s States Assembly. It also seeks to build relationships between Jersey and other Commonwealth jurisdictions, to raise awareness and understanding of Jersey across the Commonwealth. It achieves these aims by participating in CPA conferences, seminars and training programmes; by involving Members and staff of the States Assembly in parliamentary benchmarking and outreach work; and by hosting CPA events in Jersey.
This year, the theme for Commonwealth Day is ‘Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’. The theme encourages member states to support the promotion of peace, prosperity and sustainability, especially through climate action, to secure a better future for young people and improve the lives of all Commonwealth citizens.
Commonwealth Day 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter, a document of the values and aspirations which unite the Commonwealth, which was signed by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 11 March 2013.
To mark this year’s Commonwealth Day, Deputy Rob Ward, Chair of the Jersey branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has participated in a short video HERE and educational resources have been provided to schools.
Over the last 12 months States Members have worked with other CPA members and participated in a number of initiatives focusing on key global issues such as; women’s safety, single use plastics, climate change as well as parliamentary ethics and standards. States Members have attended CPA conferences, including Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) events.
Deputy Rob Ward, Chair of the Jersey branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, said: “Jersey’s involvement with the CPA allows us to learn more from countries around the world about good governance and make more of an impact in this increasingly interconnected world. Membership to the CPA is key for our Island at a time where international action on global issues such as climate change demand a cooperative approach across countries”.
States Assembly Press Notice