Ugandan children top participation on Commonwealth Day -Paris

The Permanent delegations to UNESCO and Member States of the Commonwealth commemorated the Commonwealth Day at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

As it is annually celebrated every year at UNESCO, the 53 countries of the Commonwealth of Nations come together to celebrate and observe the Commonwealth Day with a variety of activities.

The fun-filled day celebrations comprised of a variety of activities that included; musical and cultural performances, exhibition of Children's drawings, board games and some performances by children.

Schools from Uganda were among the participants that contributed in the drawing exhibition.

Out of the 57 best drawings from 10 countries that were selected for exhibition, Uganda had 19 drawings. The schools whose drawings were exhibited during the celebrations were; Springfield International School Buddo, Homisdallen Primary School, Nansuse Primary School Wakiso, and Buyinja Primary School Kasangati.

The drawings were done by children aged 8 to 12 years based on the theme "The Future we want for our Planet". The children's drawings, given the theme of the day depicted the way the children perceived the future.

Other countries that participated include Canada, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore and Siri Lanka.

The children that participated in the exhibition were awarded with certificates of honour from the Commonwealth.

A short amusing quiz was featured during the day and the winners were awarded with gift hampers from the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).

The Uganda Head of Mission, Ambassador Richard Nduhuura commenting on the gifts that Uganda gave out said, "Uganda Mission in Paris is working with UTB to have it as a policy that in all activities carried out, Uganda should be promoted as a preferred tourist and investment destination, and a source of organic products to outside markets.

The mission, therefore, took advantage of this celebration to showcase Uganda by giving out promotional gifts such as Ugandan Coffee, Indigenous kitengi bags, and T-shirts embroided "Uganda Pearl of Africa". The Mission also treated the guests to Ugandan local dishes.  

Permanent delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO and Chairperson of the Commonwealth group Mariam Katagum in her speech remarked that, the aim of the Commonwealth Day is to celebrate the Commonwealth's rich diversity, the unity and the values that define the Commonwealth of nations.

Ambassador Katagum encouraged more children from Commonwealth countries to participate in next year's event. She added that the activities aim at demonstrating and educating ourselves on the cultural, intellectual and heritage diversity of the Commonwealth.

Her Majesty the Queen and head of the Commonwealth in her video message stated that, "There is a very special value in the insights we gain through the Commonwealth connection; shared inheritance help us overcome differences so that diversity is a cause for celebration rather than division". 

The Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland in her written statement remarked, " Never before in the history of our family of nations has there been such a remarkable season of gatherings as that heralded by Commonwealth Day." 

Young people will be at the heart of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), to be hosted by the UK in April 2018. Summit goals will include promoting young people's engagement and increasing their understanding of the Commonwealth's role.

Ambassador Nduhuura was among other Ambassadors and delegates from the various Commonwealth countries that graced the celebrations which were climaxed with a Commonwealth Day reception in the evening.

The drawings by the Ugandan children left an indelible mark on all guests and more schools should be encouraged to participate next year.