Commonwealth Day

There was a time when Great Britain could rightfully boast that the "sun never sets on the British Empire." Some people tend to forget that the United States was once a British colony, and so were India, Australia, Canada, and many of the current countries on the continent of Africa. In the Caribbean, the British also had a powerful presence with colonies such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and, of course, The Bahamas.

As a colonial power, the British put in its colonies some strong institutions that served them well when they became independent nations, in terms of establishing governments based on the principles of democracy. Indeed, although the United States fought an eight-year revolutionary war against the British — from 1775 to 1783 — to establish itself as an independent nation, its democratic form of government is based on the British model.

Some former British colonies in Africa, of course, have struggled over the years to maintain the political tenets of democracy, and in some cases have demonstrated that the axiom "power corrupts and absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely" is indeed true. But for the most part they have remained committed to some semblance of democratic governance. And even though it has divested itself of virtually all of its colonies, Great Britain maintains a strong connection with its former colonies through what is described as "a unique global family" known as The Commonwealth.

Although small by comparison to some of the other 52 nations that are members of the Commonwealth, The Bahamas is a well respected member of this "league of nations." Later this year, from May 22 to 26, Nassau will be host to the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting, under the theme, "Youth Empowerment for the Eradication of Poverty, Crime and HIV/AIDS."

Today is Commonwealth Day, and to mark the occasion The Freeport News has included in this edition of the newspaper a four-page "special supplement," highlighting the role that The Bahamas plays in the Commonwealth.

"The essence of the Commonwealth is in its fundamental values of mutual respect, tolerance and equality," Commonwealth Secretary-General Donald C. McKinnon notes in his message to the people of The Bahamas on the occasion of Commonwealth Day 2006.

"It brings us together as individuals, groups, organizations, and governments," Mr. McKinnon adds. "Building on that foundation, we are driven by a determination to help each other create strong democracies that encourage respect for human rights — political, economic, social, cultural, and others. Together, The Bahamas and the Commonwealth aspire to just and honest government, supported by the rule of law. And we aim to create prosperity and economic opportunity for all."

And as Mr. McKinnon notes at the end of his message: "Commonwealth interests are our shared interests. Every step forward that The Bahamas takes to make a difference is an advance for us all. That is good grounds for a celebration."

© 2006 The Freeport News